Smartphones & Tablets | May 7, 2023
Google I/O is being held next week on May 10th, and as usual, many of the announcements have already been leaked. This time around, in addition to Android and cloud updates, we expect hardware announcements such as the new Pixel tablet or possibly the foldable Pixel Fold.
When will the Pixel 7a arrive?
But the most anticipated device of all these is likely the Pixel 7a, and for good reason. Google’s “a” models have proven to be the most recommended in the entire range, offering an experience very similar to the more complete models but at a much lower price. It’s the perfect definition of a bargain, and after seeing how good the Pixel 6a is even months after its release, a Pixel 7a makes perfect sense.
The good news is that we won’t have to wait long to enjoy this new model. Google has “leaked” the release date, which will be on May 11th; that is, the day after the opening presentation of Google I/O.
The “culprit” of the leak has been Google’s division in India, which has tweeted that the new Google phone will be available in one of the country’s retail chains on Thursday of next week. Therefore, we can assume that the rest of the countries will also receive the phone at the same time, although there is always the possibility that Google will delay the release in some countries; it wouldn’t be the first time that Spain has been treated that way.
Another leak, this time unofficial, is the first official images of the Pixel 7a, confirming what we already knew: it will be a mobile phone very similar to the regular Pixel 7, both in design and features as it uses the same Google Tensor G2 processor. Therefore, it will be able to use functions such as zoom up to 8x based on algorithms. Regarding the Pixel 6a, there will be hardware improvements such as a screen that now reaches 90 Hz, and a main camera of 64 Mpx (compared to the previous generation’s 12 Mpx). The selfie camera has also been improved to 13 Mpx.
And now comes the bad part: the Pixel 7a could be the last model of the “a” series from Google. This is not official, but rather a rumor circulating on social media and should be taken with a grain of salt. According to Android Headlines, the person who leaked this information claims that from the next generation, Google will focus on the regular Pixel and the Pixel Pro as the only two available models, so there will be no Pixel 8a; the reason may be the Pixel Fold, which would occupy Google’s attention from now on as a new alternative model to the main ones.
