Google Confirms Pixel 8a Ahead Of The Launch In A Rather Unusual Way

By Shikhar Mehrotra • Updated On 11 Mar 2024

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Google is famous for spoiling its smartphones months before the official launch. In recent years, the flagship smartphone lineup and the company’s smartwatch have been leaked ahead of launch, not just in renders or schematics but also in decent-quality photos or videos. For the Pixel 8a, the company’s upcoming smartphone, leaks started to surface online around September 2023. Soon after, Smartprix published the 360-degree video and CAD-based renders of the purported Pixel smartphone. However, most recently, Google confirmed the existence of the handset.

Android Bug Tracker Confirms Pixel 8a

Thanks to the folks at 9To5Google, who figured out an issue, Google has now confirmed that there’s a Pixel 8a. Back in Android 14’s QPR1 update, the company added a new feature that showed several battery stats, including cycle counts and manufacturing dates, in one place. However, in March 2024, Google removed the battery stats feature from the latest update for Pixel phones. According to a bug tracker report, Google wants to enable this feature on Pixel 8a and beyond, and hence, its absence from the current generation of phones “is WAI (Working as Intended).”

Google Pixel 8a Expected Specifications And Price

This confirms the smartphone’s existence and gives us an insight into one of its features. For those catching up, the Pixel 8a is supposed to stand in front of the curtain at Google I/O in May 2024. We also know that the smartphone could feature the Tensor G3 SoC, the chipset that powers the Pixel 8 lineup. The phone should also feature a 6.1-inch 90Hz OLED screen, similar to its predecessor’s. We’re also expecting a slightly better version of the upcoming mid-range smartphone. Recent reports also indicate that Google could increase the phone’s retail pricing, starting from EUR 550 or higher, about Rs. 50,000. We’ve also published high-quality wallpapers of the Pixel 8a in the past.

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Shikhar Mehrotra

Shikhar Mehrotra is a seasoned technology writer and reviewer with over five years of experience covering consumer tech across India and global markets. At Smartprix, he has authored more than 1,700 articles, including news stories, features, comparisons, and product reviews spanning automobiles, smartphones, chipsets, wearables, laptops, home appliances, and operating systems. Shikhar has reviewed flagship devices such as the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25+, and Sennheiser HD 505 Open-Ear headphones. He also contributes regularly to Smartprix’s growing automotive section.

With a deep understanding of both iOS and Android ecosystems, Shikhar specializes in daily tech news, how-to explainers, product comparisons, and in-depth reviews. His DSLR photography in product reviews is recognized as among the best on the team.

Before joining Smartprix, Shikhar wrote for leading publications including Forbes Advisor India, Republic World, and ScreenRant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Lucknow.

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