Google Pixel 7a: What to Expect!

It’s only a matter of time before Google announces its new software and hardware endeavours in this year’s Google I/O conference, which is scheduled to be held on May 10. While the company hasn’t taken off the wraps on its upcoming devices just yet, that hasn’t stopped folks on internet from getting all the information that they can on this year’s Pixel smartphone launches.

With that in mind, one device that has been leaked quite a lot in particular is the Pixel 7a. While it does fall under Google’s mid-range smartphone lineup, the 7a brings some pretty interesting hardware upgrades over last year’s Pixel 6a, and based on the leaks we’ve gotten so far, it looks like the 7a will come with a lot of similarities to the Pixel 7, Google’s current base-model flagship. So what can we look forward to with the Pixel 7a? Let’s take a look.

External Design

In terms of looks, the Pixel 7a will retain the general aesthetics seen on the Pixel 7, albeit in a smaller form factor closer to the size of the Pixel 6a. This means that we do get a more compact and one-hand-friendly size, although the aluminium railing around the phone now extends to the camera bar, similar to the design on the Pixel 7 series.

Initially, a trio of colours for the Pixel 7a were shared online by @OnLeaks on Twitter, which shows three primary colour selections including a white, black, as well as a new blue variant. The blue essentially replaces the Sage green version of the 6a from last year. However, a new colour version was recently posted by Evan Blass online, showing a new Coral version. While not exactly the same, it does bear a slight resemblance in colour to the Coral version of the Pixel 6 from 2021.

This brings the selection up to four different choices now, which is a much-welcome step forward in terms of variety. At the moment, it isn’t clear yet if the phone will retain a plastic construction as seen on the 6a, as earlier leaks mentioned that Google might instead use Ceramic on the rear panel of the 7a. However, there hasn’t been much mention of this particular detail since.

As for the display, we’re expecting a 6.1-inch OLED panel, similar to the one found in the 6a. One big difference this time however is that the screen will come with a higher 90Hz refresh rate, a significant improvement over the 6a’s 60Hz screen. There are also rumours of face unlock, a feature that made its debut on the Pixel 7.

Internal Hardware

As for what’s inside the 7a, it’s speculated that the device will bear more similarities to the mainline Pixel 7 flagship, sharing a lot of the same hardware. For starters, the 7a will run on the Tensor G2 chip that’s also found in the Pixel 7 phones, and will feature 8GB of RAM (a first for Pixel A devices) and 128GB of internal storage, although the battery might be limited to 4400 mAh, same as on the 6a.

One big upgrade however is the camera – it’s expected that Google might equip the 7a with a 64MP main camera, a big leap from the 12MP lenses that were always found on the A-series Pixel phones. There’s also a 12MP ultra-wide sensor in addition to the main camera.

Availability

At the moment, it’s highly likely that Google will reveal the Pixel 7a at the I/O Conference, as it also did with last year’s Pixel 6a and 7 series phones. Pricing might be a little higher this time though, as the phone might now cost $499, which is a big leap considering that past Pixel A phones usually went for 350-400.

In any case, we should be hearing more about the Pixel 7a soon once Google I/O happens – or you know, if someone else leaks even more stuff.