Google’s Pixel 5a will succeed the Pixel 4a this year. Although the launch is planned for later this year, it’s worth setting our expectations now that we’ve had a taste of what we can expect from this year’s affordable Google Pixel smartphone.
Google first introduced the Pixel series almost five years ago. The first generation Pixel and Pixel XL, which are far removed from the previous Nexus series, were offered as premium products to compete against the iPhone and Samsung’s flagship range. The Pixel series – as the name suggests – is intended to deliver high-quality smartphone photography, which is achieved primarily through machine learning algorithms to enrich images. But without any distinctive feature or a reliable record of manufacturing modern smartphones, Google has struggled to ensure profitability in the smartphone industry.
After the overwhelming response to the Pixel 3 series, Google decided to launch an affordable Pixel that offers the same camera prowess, but without many other premium features like an IP rating, wireless charging, glass design, and so on. This decision increased Google’s smartphone sales by two. fold and confirm a place for the A-Series in Google’s hardware portfolio.
The Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL were followed in the following year by Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a 5G. In 2021, we expect Google to launch the Pixel 5a (barbie with code name), and here’s everything we know and expect from the smartphone.
Google Pixel 5a: Expected Release Date
The Google Pixel 3a was introduced during the Google I / O 2019 Developer Conference, held in May of that year, and the Pixel 4a is expected to be released in the same time in 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic threw a key in these plans and led to the cancellation of a physical Google I / O event. The pandemic also delayed the usual launch timeline for the products, and the Pixel 4a was launched in August 2020 instead of May. Later in October, during an online event, Google also announced the Pixel 4a 5G along with the more premium Google Pixel 5.
Google Pixel 5a leaked versions, Source: @OnLeaks
Based on last year’s launch timeline, we expect Google to unveil the Pixel 5a in or around August 2021. It mainly looks at how Google does not usually launch the hardware products.
We have not yet seen a leak or official announcement from Google about this release, but we will update this section as soon as possible.
Variant
For the first generation of affordable Pixel devices, Google has introduced the Pixel 3a in two different sizes. Despite their different dimensions, the Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL had the same specifications – except for the screen size. The company deviated from the usual range of two devices of different sizes with the Pixel 4a, which had one 4G variant and another 5G variant. Apart from using different internal disk sets, the vanilla Pixel 4a and the Pixel 4a 5G had different camera configurations – despite identical camera shots.
The standard Pixel 4a contains only one camera, that is, a 12MP camera that Google has used since the Pixel 2 series. The Pixel 4a 5G, on the other hand, has a dual rear camera setup with a standard 12MP camera – just like the other Pixel devices – and a 16MP ultra-wide-angle camera, just like the Pixel 5.
In particular, although the Pixel 4a got two devices under its banner, the Pixel 5 has a single variant. As 5G becomes more mainstream in 2021, it will be disappointing if Google only releases a 4G model of the Pixel 5a. Both Qualcomm and MediaTek now have offerings on entry-level chips with 5G connectivity, so we expect (hope) that Google will use one of them.
Design
We discussed the changes in the history of the affordable Pixel series. According to a recent leak by the experienced leaker, OnLeaks or Steve Hemmerstoffer, the Pixel 5a is set to use the same camera as the Pixel 4a 5G and the Pixel 5. In fact, there are no visible changes to the design, as Google apparently recovers the same design for the Pixel 5a.
OnLeaks note that the Pixel 5a is 2.3 mm longer, 0.8 mm narrower and 0.6 mm thicker than the Pixel 4a 5G. The estimated dimensions of the Pixel 5a are 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (9.4 mm thick, including the camera bump). The increase in length appears to be due to the chin appearing slightly larger in the leaked versions than the previous devices.
Google Pixel 5a leaked versions, Source: @OnLeaks
Despite these small changes in dimensions, the Pixel 5a will inherit a 6.2-inch OLED screen from the Pixel 4a 5G. The display is expected to have a Full HD + resolution and a hole recess in the upper left corner, just like the Pixel 4a 5G. Although the fan does not mention it, we hope that the screen of Google Pixel 5a has a 90Hz refresh rate, which would be an upgrade of the 60Hz screen on the Pixel 4a and the Pixel 4a 5G. As with previous devices, it is a flat screen with no curves on the screen.
Despite using an OLED screen, Google seems eager to stick with a capacitive fingerprint scanner on the back of the phone instead of switching to the fingerprint technology that is not displayed. The volume rockers and the on-off knob with color accents also look unchanged.
Fortunately, it is suggested that the Pixel 5a retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, even almost three years after Google removed it from its flagship Pixel devices. The setup of the stereo speakers also remains intact.
Camera
As mentioned above, it has been suggested that the Pixel 5a has a dual rear camera setting – a first for the affordable Pixel range. It includes a 12MP primary camera and a 16MP ultra-wide angle camera. These cameras are likely to remain unchanged from what we saw on the Pixel 4a 5G and the Pixel 5.
Google Pixel 5a leaked versions, Source: @OnLeaks
Still, we can expect generational upgrades in terms of image processing, along with probably exclusive features. Just like the Pixel 4a 5G and the Pixel 5, the two camera sensors on the Pixel 5a are placed on a horizontal line along the center of the square camera push. According to the leaked versions, another sensor is located under these cameras, and it could be a PDAF sensor or a flashing sensor.
The selfie camera is once again located inside the hole cutout on the screen. Although the leak does not reveal the resolution of this camera, Google has traditionally used 8MP cameras, and it has served well. We can expect the same to be transferred to the Pixel 5a.
Google Pixel 5a: Expected Price
The Pixel 3a was launched in the US at $ 399 while being more expensive in certain markets such as India. For the beautiful camera, the Pixel 3a was not a bad investment at all, but it achieved poor performance. Google has made the Pixel 4a more accessible and attractive by lowering the price to $ 349. Meanwhile, the Pixel 4a 5G has priced $ 499, making it its more powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset with 5G capabilities.
While there are no details yet on the price of Pixel 5a, we would not be surprised if it is also between $ 450 and $ 550.
We will continue to update this article in more detail as we will be learning it over the next few months until the official launch of Pixel 5a.
Image displayed: Google Pixel 5a leaked versions, source: Voice @ OnLeaks