- Google has posted a teaser hinting at a Pixel 4a launch on August 3.
- There are also clues to the camera quality and battery life.
- It’s expected to be a capable but affordable mid-range phone.
After months of waiting, Google appears close to releasing the Pixel 4a.
Google has posted a teaser for the mid-range phone on the Google Store that shows a blank device along with some custom “lorem ipsum” text that not-so-subtly hints at features in mock Latin, including low-light photography, bokeh (shallow depth of field) photo effects, and a long-lasting battery.
While it’s not immediately visible on the page, diving into the source code reveals an August 3 debut date that lines up with previous rumors.
You can also change the colors of the black boxes at the top of the screen. After changing the boxes to Google’s colors (blue, red, yellow, blue, green, red), text appears that reads “Just what you’ve been waiting for,” along with an August 3 launch date.
Google didn’t mention the specifications of the 4a. However, past leaks have hinted that it could represent a significant step up from the Pixel 3a in most respects. The new model could jump from a Snapdragon 670 to a Snapdragon 730, implement much faster UFS storage instead of eMMC, and move to a larger 5.8-inch 1080p screen with an 8MP hole-punch selfie camera. You’d still get a lone 12MP rear camera, but it would include Pixel 4 features like an astrophotography mode.
Read more: The OnePlus Nord is here, but should you wait for the Pixel 4a?
There’s only expected to be one model, with no XL version like you saw with the 3a. Price may be the real wildcard. While it wouldn’t be surprising if Google sold the Pixel 4a at the same $399 price it did for the 3a when it was new, there have been hints Google could price the handset as low as $349, albeit with 64GB of storage in base trim.
Whatever the finished Pixel 4a looks like, it could be one of Google’s most important phones in recent memory. In addition to the buzz from months of leaks and speculation (there were rumors it was supposed to premiere at the now-cancelled I/O 2020), it will also come right as mid-range phones like the OnePlus Nord and iPhone SE are capturing the spotlight. There’s a lot of demand for affordable yet capable phones, especially in light of the Pixel 3a’s warm reception.