The Google Pixel 4a is likely to launch in the next few months, so we’ve collected everything we know so far about the next affordable Pixel.
The Google Pixel 4a is starting to look like the Pixel 4 device you may actually buy, and it could be such a good value that it ends up as one of 2020’s best affordable phones.
Google surprised everyone in 2019 when it released the Pixel 3a and 3a XL in the middle of the year as affordable versions of the Pixel 3 and 3 XL which retained some of the best perks of the premium devices at a mid-range pricetag. In short, consumers could once again get the famed Pixel photography at an affordable price.
It looks like Google will follow a similar strategy in 2020 by releasing both Pixel 4a and 4a XL handsets, which should preserve some of the best perks from the Pixel 4 and 4 XL in a phone that’s far more affordable.
Leaks have started flowing in since the beginning of 2020, so it looks like a budget Google Pixel 4a could be coming at some point soon – although we’ve also heard the phone might be released alone without its larger XL sibling. That might make sense, though we’d hope the regular 4a wouldn’t retain the standard Pixel 4’s battery issues.
The Pixel 4 and 4 XL were popular devices, but didn’t land with quite the fanfare of the Pixel 3 handsets. The cheaper Pixel 4a phones could be Google’s opportunity to win back consumers, especially those who have been reducing their phone budgets amid the current outbreak.
Below we’ve put together everything we know so far about the upcoming phones including details on when to expect it and the first images of the upcoming handsets.
Latest story: The Pixel 4a may get delayed until July 13, two months after its expected launch date, and could come without an XL model.
Originally, we had expected to see Google introduce its next affordable devices at Google IO 2020, which was expected to take place between May 12-14, but that event has now been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL were announced at last year’s Google IO, but in its absence, we’ve heard a rumor that the Google Pixel 4a could release on May 22. That release date leak was for Germany though, and it’s possible it’d be different in different parts of the world.
But a subsequent rumor pushed that expected date back to June 5. Why? Probably to coincide with the Android 11 developer beta’s launch – which is getting its own minorly-hyped event on June 3 which will likely introduce several features coming in the next operating system update. For introducing a new phone, it’s the next best thing to a Google IO stage.
Yet another rumor, however, claims the Pixel 4a launch will get delayed until July 13, though we’re not sure why. It will be announced without an XL model, the rumor states – and it won’t be 5G-capable.
The Pixel 3a cost $399 / £399 / AU$649 at launch, while the Pixel 3a XL cost $479 / £469 / AU$799. In terms of how much you’ll pay for the 4a, the Google Pixel 4a price could actually be lower than the Pixel 3a price. That could be due to regional price differences – or because Google might intentionally lowball the phone’s pricetag amid a more competitive mid-range market.
For instance, one price rumor puts the Pixel 4a at $349 (roughly £285 / AU$540) for 128GB of storage – so you’d be paying less and getting twice as much storage. And it’s always possible there would be an even cheaper 64GB model. But Google might be thinking of a baseline lower price: the company allegedly surveyed consumers to see if they’d buy a non-premium Pixel phone for $349 (around £246 / AU$535).
Having said that, an older price rumor points to $399, which is exactly the same as the Pixel 3a, so we’re not sure right now.
We’re going to start with a rumor that might disappoint some of you: word is that Google might not put out a Pixel 4a XL, only focusing on the smaller device.
