Google Pixel 7a: what to expect and what we want to see

Now that Google has blazoned the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, it’s likely only a matter of time before the company unveils its affordable volition to those phones – the Google Pixel 7a.

Nothing has officially been verified about this handset just yet, but it’s likely coming and we’ve some idea of what to anticipate; grounded on early leaks coupled with what we know about the Pixel 7 and once models.
You ’ll find all the leaks and our educated suppositions below, and also, under that, we ’ve included a want list of the effects we want from the Google Pixel 7a. And we ’ll be streamlining this composition whenever we hear anything new – so check back soon.

A surprising Pixel 7a leak suggests the phone might have veritably emotional cameras and wireless charging.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? An affordable alternative to the Pixel 7
• When is it out? Possibly mid-2023
• How much will it cost? Likely around $449 / £399 / AU$749

Google Pixel 7a release date and price predictions

Google has n’t been entirely harmonious with itsA-model launches, as while the Pixel 6a was blazoned in May 2022 and packed in July, the former two models launched in August of their separate release times.

Still, we ’d suppose thus that May 2023 is presumably the foremost we ’ll see the Pixel 7a, and that it might well transport latterly, indeed if it’s blazoned also.

That said, there has been a citation of the Google Pixel 7a on Amazon. There is not important to go off, but it’s another suggestion that themid-ranger is indeed on the way in 2023, and could mean it’ll land before the middle of the time.

There are n’t any price rumors, but given that the Pixel 7 costs the same quantum as the Pixel 6, Google may well price the Pixel 7a the same as the Pixel 6a. That would mean a price of$ 449/£ 399/AU$ 749.

Google Pixel 7a news and leaks

So far there are not numerous leaks around the Pixel 7a. One that we have come through is courtesy of Digital Chat Station, who’s a fairly dependable leaker.

They claim – via machine restatement – that Google is working on a small- screen flagship codenamed’ Neila’, which has a flat display, a single- lens punch- hole camera, and a design analogous to other recent Pixels.
That does n’t give us important to go on, and there’s a chance they ’re not indeed pertaining to the Pixel 7a – since they do n’t use that name and they describe it as a flagship – but we ’d else anticipate the phone to fit that description.

It’s likely to have an aluminum camera bar, like the Pixel 7, and a generally analogous look, along with the Tensor G2 chipset offered by that phone. Beyond that however, we ’re not sure what to anticipate.
The same source has away claimed( opens in new tab) there’s a Pixel phone in the workshop with a ceramic body, and while they describe this device as a flagship, they also mention a camera arrangement that 9to5Google( opens in new tab) has linked to a phone it believes to be the Pixel 7a.

This device has the codename’ Lynx’, and supposedly has a 50MP primary detector, a 64MP blowup one, and a 13MPultra-wide camera, which would also be used on the front.
This phone also supposedly supports 5W wireless charging which would make for the first time anA-series model can be charged wirelessly, and would use the Tensor G2 chipset, just like the rest of the Pixel 7 line.

We’d still take these claims with a pinch of swab, as that makes for an multifariousness of specs that do not really add up. The cameras would on paper have indeed the Pixel 7 Pro beat, and a ceramic figure also sounds oddly ultraexpensive.
Yet given the slow wireless charging speed and the use of the same chipset, this presumably is not a Pixel 7 Ultra or Pixel 8 moreover. So we suspect that whatever this blurted phone is, some of these specs are wrong.

What we want to see

There are five key things Google can do that would make the Pixel 7a significantly better than the Pixel 6a. Here’s our must-haves if Google wants to ensure 7a success:

1. Give it a 90Hz refresh rate

The Pixel 6a is stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate, which indeed for an affordable phone feels rather dated these days. We do n’t anticipate 120Hz from the Google Pixel 7a, but a boost to 90Hz would be much appreciated.

That said, that would bring it in line with the standard Pixel 7, in terms of refresh rate, so Google might be reticent to do this, so that the phones are more discerned.

2. Upgrade to a 50MP camera

The last many PixelA-line generations all have the same12.2 MP main camera( also used by the numbered Pixels antedating the Pixel 6), and while it’s a reasonable snapper, it’s overdue an upgrade.

Google is using a much better 50MP camera on the more recent flagship Pixel phones, so an upgrade to that then would be nice to see. Though, as with an increased refresh rate, that could bring the Pixel 7a too close to the Pixel 7 for Google’s relish, so do n’t count on it.

There are a vast array of other detectors out there to consider, still, and a lot of range between12.2 and 50MP for Google to consider that would more set the 7a piecemeal from its precursor in the camera department.

3. Provide better battery life

In our Google Pixel 6a review we set up that the phone plodded to last through a full day of use, which is the minimum we anticipate from our smartphones. So for the Pixel 7a we really want to see an enhancement.

The good news is that an enhancement is likely, as the phone will presumably use the Tensor G2 chipset, which is more effective than the original Tensor in the Pixel 6a.

4. Faster charging

At just 18W, the Pixel 6a clearly does n’t charge fast. Indeed the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are n’t among the speediest dishes, but with support for 30W, they ’re at least more reasonable, and that’s an upgrade we ’d like to see offered on the Pixel 7a as well.

We ’d say there’s a middling chance that will be. It’s not a big enough point for Google to inescapably want to keep it for the flagships, but it could also push the price up, which the company will probably be trying to avoid.

5. A lower price

Speaking of the price, for the specs on offer the Pixel 6a was a bit too precious, especially as it landed so long after the Pixel 6 that price drops meant you could occasionally get that phone for a analogous price.

As similar, we ’d like to see either a lower price for the Pixel 7a, or enough of a specs- boost to justify its price label. Or failing either of those effects, the company could do with launching the 7a before in its release time than the Pixel 6a did – that way it has a shot at ranking advanced amongst the stylish Pixel phones.