Google is set to unveil the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones on October 4th, a tradition accompanying each Pixel flagship release. Following this, Google typically introduces the more budget-friendly ‘A’ series the following year. For the upcoming Pixel 8 series, the anticipated addition is the Pixel 8a. Recently, purported images of what appears to be the Pixel 8a have surfaced online.
The Rumored Google Pixel 8a
The rumored Google Pixel 8a is shown in a color featuring a design that brings to mind the Pixel 8 lineup. With its edges and a camera strip housing two sensors at the back, the phone stays true to the design elements of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. Notably the camera setup shares the color palette as the phone itself continuing a trend seen in its predecessors. On the side, there’s a punch-hole display with the power and volume buttons located on the right-hand side.
While the image hints at this possibly being the Pixel 8a model it’s worth noting that it could also be a prototype given that there are months left until its anticipated release. Following this year’s launch of the Pixel 7a in May it seems reasonable to expect its successor to hit shelves around a time frame year.
The Pixel 8a smartphone, with codename Akita was recently spotted on Geekbench. It exhibited a version of the Tensor G3 chipset paired with a Mali G715 GPU. The listing also mentioned 8GB of RAM and Android 14. The latest leak further confirms that “Akita” is indeed tied to the Pixel 8a model and hints at its use of Tensor G3 chipset. Set to debut, with the Pixel 8 series.
It seems like Google might be changing things up with the Pixel lineup with rumors swirling about a shift to a two-year release cycle or even discontinuation of the series. Some chatter hints that the Pixel 7a could have been the last in the line. Until there’s an announcement it’s all up in the air.
