Google Pixel 4a: Everything We Know So Far [Updated]

Last year the release of Google’s Pixel 3a heralded a shift in the mid-range phone market. Coming in at $649 and packing some flagship specs, it changed what people should expect from a a phone at that price. Other brands followed suit, including Apple with its recently released iPhone SE. Suffice to say, the arrival of Googles new budget device, the Pixel 4a, is cause for some excitement. Here’s what we know about it so far.

This post has been update with extra leaks as they have dropped. It also includes the launch date revealed by Google.

Google Pixel 4a Specs

Based on a few leaks over the past couple of months it looks like these will be the specs we can expect:

• Display: 5.81-inch OLED 1080×2340, 60H
• Processor: Snapdragon 730
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 64GB or 128GB (it could be both)
• Rear Camera: 12.2MP
• Front Camera: 8MP
• Battery: 3,080mAh with 18W fast charging
• LTE: 4G
• Colours: Just Black, Barely Blue and possibly a white variant

There are a few concerns here as we saw a lot of these specs last year. While we’re seeing an upgrade across the processor, display size and RAM; the camera hardware, battery and RAM are the same. Hopefully there will be a 128GB storage option this time around as an extra differentiation.

Of course, software upgrades can help boost things like the camera, and there has been some interesting leaks around this already.

Update July 23, 2020: A leak this week suggests that the Pixel 4a might have 5G functionality. Boom! Mobile in the U.S. has a list of 5G compatible phones on its website, including the designation Google G025E. This has led to question around which device this is. Considering that the Pixel 4a is the next to be released by Google, it’s likely.

If that doesn’t turn out to be true, perhaps the GO25E is actually a Pixel 5 mode.

Google Pixel 4a Camera

Just like last year the rumours state that the Pixel 4a will be getting at a 12.2MP rear camera and 8MP front-facing camera.

Fortunately, software such as the powerful Google Camera app will hopefully help boost the end results so we’re not just getting a carbon copy of last year’s cameras.

Lucky for us, some alleged camera samples have already leaked and they look pretty darn good so far – including the low light and astrophotography samples. You can check them out here.

It’s worth noting that the Pixel 3a got the astrophotography capabilities of the Pixel 4 via a software update last year, so this feature isn’t actually new for the budget series.

Design

Leaked images reveal that the Google Pixel 4a will look a bit like a cross between the Pixel 4 and the 3a. It will have the same chunky camera bump as the 4, but with the familiar rear fingerprint sensor as the previous generation budget device.

The device will is also reportedly almost-bezel-free and, to quote Twin Peaks, the body will be wrapped in plastic.

In terms of colours we can apparently expect Just Black and Barely Blue variants with the possibility of a white edition also.

It also seems like the Pixel’s ‘active edge’ functionality won’t appear in the Google Pixel 4a.

Update July 23, 2020: We also got a closer look at the design when Google accidentally leaked the 4a on its Canadian website.

Is There A Google Pixel 4a XL?

Sadly it does not seem like there will be a Google Pixel 4a XL released.

Google Pixel 4a Price Australia

Leaks have suggested that the Google Pixel 4a will start at $US400. This is the same pricing as what the Pixel 3a started at last year. Here in Australia it start at $649 – could we be looking at the same starting price for the Pixel 4a as well?

Australian Release

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Update July 31, 2020: Google announced the launch date of the Pixel 4a via a fun Lorem Ipsum puzzle. It will be unveiled on August 3 in the U.S., which is August 4 for us Aussies.

That being said, we don’t have a hard date on when the Google Pixel 4a will actually arrive. Some reports suggest that it might be bumped back to October.

Originally the Pixel 4a was going to be unveiled at Google I/O 2020 on May 13, but that didn’t happen thanks to COVID-19.