This article will be regularly updated with new information on the Google Pixel 4a (this is a preview article) — both official teasers and credible leaks, rumors, and insider claims — as it becomes available in the run-up to the release of the upcoming Android smartphone. The last update was made on May 1.
The Google Pixel 4a is the next smartphone Google will announce. This will be a new mid-range offering from the company, and a direct successor to the Pixel 3a. That is why we’re here to talk about the Pixel 4a, in the form of a preview. We’ll basically share everything (important) we know about the Pixel 4a thus far.
The Google Pixel 3a was announced back on May 7 2019. Now, it was rumored that Google will announce the Pixel 4a during Google I/O this year, but Google I/O got canceled. Well, there will still be a Google I/O but not the way we’re used to. Click here to know more.
In any case, the Google Pixel 4a launch date got moved because of it, allegedly, we’ll talk more about that later on. The Pixel 4a is expected to offer mid-range specs, and a flagship-grade camera, just like its predecessor. It’s also expected to bring an updated design, and an affordable price tag.
A more modern design, while retaining plastic build
The Google Pixel 4a surfaced several times thus far. The phone appeared in both renders and real-life images. Considering that most of those images came from reputable sources, it’s safe to say that we know the design of the phone at this point. As you can see in CAD-based renders shown below, the Pixel 4a will be made out of polycarbonate (plastic). That is not surprising, as the same happened to its predecessor. It’s a good cost-cutting choice on Google’s part.

The device will not include thick bezels above and below the display this time around, though. It will have rather thin bezels all around, and a display camera hole in the top-left corner. The phone will also include a flat display, not a curved panel. That is not only a more affordable option for Google, but the option that most consumers will prefer.
A capacitive fingerprint scanner will be placed on the back, the same as on its predecessor. Back there, Google will include a single camera, probably the same camera sensor as on the Pixel 4. Its power / lock, volume up, and volume down buttons will be placed on the right. The power / lock button will offer a different color variant, a complete contrast to the phone’s color. Google’s branding will also be placed on the back, by the way.
Real-life images of the Pixel 4a also surfaced, as already mentioned. These images not only show the front and back sides of the device, but one of its cases as well. This seems to be one of Google’s fabric cases, as you can see below. Based on the images we’ve seen since then, these real-life images are probably spot on. Do note that an early prototype is shown here, though, as not even the company’s logo is placed on the back yet.

The 'XL’ variant allegedly won’t be coming
According to a report that surfaced in April, Google is not planning on releasing the Pixel 4a XL. This is quite an interesting choice by the company, as the Pixel 3a XL was announced last year, in addition to the Pixel 3a. The Pixel 4a will include a larger display this time around, so perhaps Google though that an XL variant is not necessary.
We are only guessing here, of course, as the report itself did not really share a reason for the omission of the XL variant. There are people out there that prefer huge smartphones, so they may be let down by this. Still, as already mentioned, the Pixel 4a will have a larger display, so the vast majority of people will probably be happy with it.
Mid-range specifications, and a flagship-grade camera
Now, in terms of specs, we don’t have the full picture just yet, but quite a bit of info surfaced. The Google Pixel 4a is expected to include a 5.81-inch fullHD+ OLED display. The resolution will be 2340 x 1080, and this won’t be your fancy high refresh rate display. It will be a 60Hz panel, it seems, at least based on reports.
The Snapdragon 730 64-bit octa-core processor is expected to fuel the device. That is one of Qualcomm’s mid-range processors. It’s not its best mid-ranger, but it’s nothing to scoff at either. The phone will not include 5G support, by the way, in case you were wondering. That’s another good call by the company, as that would unnecessarily drive the phone’s price tag up.
The device will include Google’s Titan M security chip, while the Pixel Neural Core will not be included. The device will include 6GB of RAM and pack in a 3,080mAh battery on the inside. Both 64GB and 128GB storage variants will be available, and both will include the aforementioned RAM count.
In terms of charging, you can expect it to support 18W fast wired charging. Wireless charging likely won’t be included, which is a shame. The phone is made out of plastic, and can easily support wireless charging. This may change, of course, but Google probably did it as yet another cost-saving opportunity, as it’s not an essential feature.
In terms of cameras, you can expect two overall. A 12.2-megapixel camera will be placed on the back of the device. That camera will likely be the same as the one on the Pixel 4. It will support both OIS and EIS, and will be capable of recording both fullHD and 4K video. It will ship with an f/1.7 aperture lens, and 1.4um pixel size. PDAF will also be supported. If you’d like to check out some sample shots, two leaked out.
A front-facing camera will probably also be copied from the Pixel 4. If that ends up being the case, you can expect an 8-megapixel unit with an f/2.0 aperture lens. That sensor comes with a 1.22um pixel size. It is worth noting that a secondary TOF camera will not be included in this package.
A 3.5mm headphone jack will also be included in the package, along with Type-C USB port. Needless to say, Android 10 will come pre-installed on the device. That is pretty much all the spec information that we have at the moment.
The phone will cost the same as the Pixel 3a last year
Evan Blass has leaked some images of billboards which showed off the Pixel 4a design and confirmed its name. On top of that, those billboards revealed the phone’s price tag. The Pixel 4a pricing will start at the same point as the Pixel 3a pricing last year. The base model will set you back $399.

Just to be clear, that price tag will probably be for a 64GB storage variant of the phone. The 128GB model, which more people will probably be interested in, will be a bit more expensive. Its price tag did not leak out, but if we had to guess, we’d say that it will cost $439, or something along those lines.
The Pixel 4a will be shipping to consumers at the end of May
The information regarding the phone’s availability is not yet entirely clear. May 22 was discovered in the database of Vodafone Germany. So, it seems like the phone may start shipping to consumers then, at least when Germany is concerned. The US consumers may get the phone sooner than that, though.
We’re not entirely sure when will the Pixel 4a be announced, though. It was supposed to launch during Google I/O, but the launch date has been moved. Everything points to a mid-May launch for the device, though. The phone will become official in the US, either via an online-only press event, or via a simple press release.
Based on the leaks, the Google Pixel 4a will ship in at least three color options. The phone will be available in Just Black, Barely Blue, and Clearly White colors. Google may introduce some additional color options, though.
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Source: ndroidheadlines.com