Google Pixel 7a: latest news, rumors and everything we know

Google is expected unveiled its next affordable powerhouse, the Google Pixel 7a, at Google IO 2023, which is set to take place tomorrow at 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm BST (or 3am AEST on May 11, for our Australian readers).

Nothing (other than the phone’s design and one of the colors) has officially been confirmed about the handset just yet, but the respective launches of the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro – not to mention the Pixel 6a – have given us a good idea of what to expect ahead of the big day. 

You’ll find all the leaks – and our educated guesses – below, and then, under that, we’ve included a wish list of the things we want to see from the Google Pixel 7a. We’ll be updating this article before and after Google IO 2023, too, so check back regularly for the latest news. 

Cut to the chase

• What is it? An affordable alternative to the Pixel 7
• When is it out? Possibly May 10
• How much will it cost? Likely upwards of $449 / £399 / AU$749

Google Pixel 7a release date and price predictions

Google hasn’t been entirely consistent with its A-model launches. While the Pixel 6a was announced in May 2022 and shipped in July, the previous two models launched in August of their respective release years. 

It’s worth noting that the Pixel 4a was expected to launch in May 2020 if not for a certain global incident, and the Pixel 5a was canceled outside of the U.S. and Japan, due to second-order effects from said incident. 

With that in mind, we think May 2023 is the earliest we’ll see the Pixel 7a, and that it might well ship later, even if it’s announced then. In all likelihood, the phone will make its debut at Google IO 2023 on May 10 (or May 11 Australia), with Google sharing regional launch dates on the day of the event itself. 

As for the price, one Google Pixel 7a price leak points to the device costing $499. For reference, the Pixel 6a cost $449 / £399 / AU$749 at launch, so this would make for a $50 increase, with similar rises likely in other regions. We’ve since heard this Google Pixel 7a price leak again, so it may well be accurate.

Then again, the Pixel 7 costs the same amount as the Pixel 6, so Google may well stick to that structure for the Pixel 7a, keeping the price the same as the Pixel 6a.

Google Pixel 7a news and leaks

As the Pixel 7a’s presumed launch creeps closer and closer, more and more leaks have emerged about the device – so many, in fact, that an almost pixel-perfect picture has been painted for the curious. 

Some of these – which come from leaker @OnLeaks and SmartPrix (opens in new tab) – can be seen below, and they show a phone that unsurprisingly looks a lot like the Pixel 7, and indeed the preceding Pixel 6a.

The dimensions are apparently 152.4 x 72.9 x 9mm (rising to 10.1mm at the camera bump), and there’s no sign of a 3.5mm headphone port. The only other detail supplied alongside the renders is that the Pixel 7a will apparently come in white and dark grey shades. A late report adds that the Pixel 7a will be coming in blue too. Google has yet to sell a blue Pixel since the Pixel 4a, instead preferring shades of green and orange. Coincidentally, an orange Pixel 7a is also expected to be coming along too, albeit limited to the Google Store in select countries just like the aforementioned blue Pixel 4a. 

Image 1 of 2

Since then, a couple of hands-on videos have leaked, which largely match the design above, and additionally point to the Pixel 7a having a 90Hz screen, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage; specs which match the standard Pixel 7.

Even more recently, real-world photos of the Pixel 7a have emerged, matching the renders shown above. You can see them along with some specs in the tweet embedded below.

Listed specs include a 6.1-inch FHD+ 90Hz OLED screen, the same Tensor G2 chipset as the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, 5W wireless charging, Android 13, a 64MP main camera, and a 12MP ultra-wide one.

These same specs have since been leaked elsewhere, with the source adding that the Pixel 7a will have 8GB of RAM, a 4,400mAh battery with 20W wired charging, 128GB of storage, optical image stabilization on the main camera, and a 10.8MP selfie camera.

As the launch date has got closer, we’ve seen even more image leaks – this time unboxing pictures showing a dark gray and a light blue color, which is a new shade for the Pixel line. Following that unboxing, Evan Blass shared new renders showcasing all the mainstream Pixel 7a colors at once, excluding the supposed limited-edition orange color. 

Just a week ahead of when Google is expected to launch the Pixel 7a, a new leak has emerged showing what appears to be the Pixel 7a in full ahead of its launch. The video shows the Arctic Blue colorway, as well as confirms many of the leaked specs including the new metal frame, Tensor G2, and the smoother 90Hz display, in relation to the Pixel 6a. 

As for how said Pixel was acquired, the video uploader claims to have acquired the phone from the used phone market. The Google Pixel 7a has been spotted being sold on eBay ahead of its launch. 

What we want to see

There are five key things Google can do that would make the Pixel 7a significantly better than the Pixel 6a. Here are our must-haves if Google wants to ensure 7a success:

1. Give it a 90Hz refresh rate

The Pixel 6a is stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate, which even for an affordable phone feels rather dated these days. We don’t expect 120Hz from the Google Pixel 7a, but a boost to 90Hz would be much appreciated.

That said, that would bring it in line with the standard Pixel 7, in terms of refresh rate, so Google might be disinclined to do this, so that the phones are better differentiated.

2. Upgrade to a 50MP camera

The last few Pixel A-line generations all have the same 12.2MP main camera (also used by the numbered Pixels preceding the Pixel 6), and while it’s a reasonable snapper, it’s overdue an upgrade.

Google is using a much more versatile 50MP camera on the more recent flagship Pixel phones, so an upgrade to that here would be nice to see. Though, as with an increased refresh rate, that could again bring the Pixel 7a too close to the Pixel 7 for Google’s liking, so don’t count on it.

There are a vast array of other sensors out there to consider, however, and a lot of range between 12.2MP and 50MP for Google to consider that would better set the 7a apart from its predecessor, in the camera department.

3. Better battery life

In our Google Pixel 6a review, we found that the phone struggled to last through a full day of use, which is the minimum we expect from our smartphones. So, for the Pixel 7a we really want to see an improvement.

The good news is that an improvement is likely, as the phone will probably use the Tensor G2 chipset, which is more efficient than the original Tensor in the Pixel 6a.

4. Faster charging

At just 18W, the Pixel 6a certainly doesn’t charge fast. Even the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro aren’t among the speediest chargers, but they’re at least closer to the status quo (21W for the Pixel 7 and 23W on the Pixel 7 Pro), and that’s an upgrade we’d like to see offered on the Pixel 7a as well.

We’d say there’s a middling chance that will happen. It’s not a big enough feature for Google to necessarily want to keep it for the flagships, but it could also push the price up, which the company will likely be trying to avoid.

5. A lower price

Speaking of the price, for the specs on offer, the Pixel 6a was a bit too expensive, especially as it landed so long after the Pixel 6 that price drops meant you could sometimes get that phone for a similar price.

As such, we’d like to see either a lower price for the Pixel 7a, or enough of a spec-boost to justify its price tag. Or failing either of those things, the company could do with launching the 7a earlier in its release year than the Pixel 6a did – that way it has a shot at ranking higher amongst the best Pixel phones, although the clock is running down on this one.

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