Google has more smartphones coming this year and the latest information suggests the Pixel 5a, a lower-cost version of the Pixel 5, might be arriving in just a few weeks. This device has been the subject of leaks and rumors for some time, so there are some details that provide an idea of what to expect. The announcement could come sometime in August, most likely in the early part of the month, which aligns well with the release date of last year's Google budget phone, the Pixel 4a.
The Google Pixel 5 was launched on October 8, 2020, bringing more memory and storage than the Pixel 4, while trading the 16-megapixel 2-times telephoto of the previous generation for an ultra-wide camera in the same resolution. Most agree that the Super-Resolution Zoom in Google's latest camera app comes pretty close to the same quality as the modest 2-times zoom, so this was a good trade-off. The battery capacity increased and the new Extreme Battery Saver mode promises up to two days on a single charge, an impressive feat. Additional camera modes and features made their first appearance on the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 with the lower-cost phone having many of the same specifications as the flagship.
The next smartphone to be released by Google is expected to be the Pixel 5a. There were rumors that it would be canceled, but according to 9to5 Google a spokesperson for the search giant confirmed that the 'Pixel 5a 5G' will be available in the US and Japan later this year and the timing will be in line with when last year’s a-series phone. A notable bit of data leaked in this statement, is that this will be a 5G phone whereas the Pixel 4a had both an LTE and a 5G version, with the 5G model coming several months later than the LTE version. A recent statement by Bloomberg confirmed this is still accurate and clarified that it appears to be an August release date. This suggests Google might skip an LTE version and the next budget Pixel phone is most likely to come standard with the much speedier 5G network support.
While the final specifications and pricing for the Pixel 5a 5G have not been revealed, there have been some rumors suggesting that the form factor will be the same as the Pixel 4a 5G, which would mean a 6.2-inch screen. An upper mid-range Qualcomm processor is likely, possibly using the same Snapdragon 765G processor as the current model. Google is working on a chip of its own design, but that will likely come with the Pixel 6 later in the year. Many suggest the cameras will remain the same with a 12-megapixel main camera and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide. However, the Pixel 4a 5G shared more in common with the Pixel 5 than with the Pixel 4. The next budget phone from Google could follow suit using one or more improved cameras, among the many changes rumored to be coming to the Pixel 6.
The Pixel 5a 5G will probably have a plastic body, one of the few concessions made to lower the cost versus Google's flagship phone. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, since this reduces the chances of breaking during a fall. Plastic flexes and absorbs impacts whereas metal dents and glass cracks. However, a plastic phone scratches easier and doesn't have as nice of a finish. Google priced its Pixel 4a 5G at $150 higher than the LTE version at $349. If Google is targeting the iPhone SE and low-cost Android competitors, keeping under $400 will be important. However, there is a chance of camera improvements and the display might feature a 90-hertz refresh rate for smoother scrolling. If Google chooses a more enhanced version, pricing could match that of the Pixel 4a 5G, at $499. If nothing else, the previous years highly suggest the Pixel 5a 5G will have an amazing camera app, convenient access to Google's Assistant and core apps, while providing an easy-to-navigate, pure Android interface.
Source: 9to5 Google, Bloomberg
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