What you need to know
- Google Pixel 9a allegedly appears for the first time in leaked images.
- Google’s upcoming mid-range phone features a flatter design, as seen on the Pixel 9 models.
- According to the leaked images, there appears to be a redesigned camera lens on the back.
The dust has just settled around the Pixel 9 series, and a new leak suggests that another Pixel 9 series phone, the mid-range Pixel 9a, is already in the works.
An X user, ShrimpApplePro, has shared a few seemingly real images of the alleged Pixel 9a. According to the user, the photos were found in a private Facebook group that has presumably been deleted. However, the user managed to get hold of the images showing the design of the device.
Pixel 9aSource: a random post on Facebook pic.twitter.com/y8jwaQM6Z826 August 2024
The Pixel 9a will likely feature the same boxy design as the current Pixel 9 phones. It includes flat sides and rounded corners, something that is being adopted by more Android phones lately, including their Samsung counterparts.
According to the images, Google’s next mid-range phone features large bezels around the display. The SIM tray, USB Type-C, and a single speaker grille are located at the bottom. However, the interesting element is on the back of the device.
Picture 1 from 2
Pixel 8a and the previous models are widely known for their huge camera visor on the back, even though it only has two lenses and also houses the LED flash. Perhaps that is not the case this time, as the image shows the abandonment of the large visor for the camera housing. Instead, the cameras are housed in a structure that is almost flush with the back and offset to the side. At least at first glance, it is very reminiscent of the Essential PH-1 phone. The LED flash has also been pushed out of the visor.
If the images above prove to be accurate – unless it’s a prototype Google phone – the design seems to be quite an interesting departure from the previous Pixel A-series phones. It’s somewhat similar to the current Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 models, despite the lack of a protruding camera housing. However, if it’s priced similarly to the previous models in the lineup and Google doesn’t hike the price like it did with the Pixel 9, it could be an exciting device in the budget segment.
However, it is quite possible that it is not the Pixel 9a, and even if it is, it may not retain the same form factor as the expected launch is still quite far away. Looking at the launch history of previous models, we expect the device to launch sometime in Q2 2025.
Lean, powerful, environmentally friendly AI engine
The Pixel 9 is Google’s latest flagship phone, and it features a fairly small 6.3-inch display with an impressive new Tensor chip that powers tons of AI features. The dual-camera system takes excellent pictures, while the battery keeps the phone going all day.
