Google’s next mid-range champion — the Pixel 7a — has popped up in an exhaustive leak, making an appearance this time in a hands-on video. The Pixel 7a is one of the most hotly-anticipated phones of 2023, despite not being a flagship. The Pixel 6a set a high benchmark for what affordable phones can accomplish, thanks to a combination of clean design, a top-end processor, reliable cameras with the famed Pixel heritage, and a pure Android experience with some exclusive Google tricks.
The Pixel 7a unit appearing in a leaked hands-on video (courtesy SlashLeaks) provides the first realistic look at a functional unit. The aesthetics are almost identical to the Pixel 6a, save for a few minute changes. Plus, they are in line with the leaked renders of the Pixel 7a that surfaced online a few weeks ago, depicting its panda-inspired white-black color scheme. The Pixel 7a has a lot riding on it, and it appears that Google doesn’t want to deviate much from its predecessor's winning formula.
The Most Promising Pixel Ever Made by Google
Google appears to have reversed the contrasting color scheme at the back. The Pixel 6a is available in a Charcoal trim that sports a black camera strip, and dark gray tones at the top and bottom. On the other hand, the Pixel 7a borrows from its flagship namesake, with the horizontal camera rocking a dark gray camera bump with a metallic luster, while the glossy body has a darker hue. The pill-shaped outline around the camera lenses is here to stay, and so is the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack. Sigh!
It’s somewhat disheartening to see that buyers will be served a similar design for another year, but the real upgrades are reportedly happening underneath that chassis this time around. The Pixel 7a will most likely use the same flagship-grade Tensor-G2 processor as the Pixel 7 and its Pro model. But there are a few extremely promising upgrades that are currently making rounds of the rumor verse. First, the Pixel 7a will reportedly be the first Google phone to offer a high-refresh-rate screen, with leaks predicting a 90Hz OLED panel. Next is a big jump in camera resolution. The Pixel 7a is said to employ Sony’s 64-megapixel sensor for its primary snapper, up from 12-megapixel snapper.
Assuming it turns out to be true, the Pixel 7a takes the lead in Google phone’s lineup with the beefiest camera, ahead of the 50-megapixel sensor adorning the Pixel 7 and its Pro version. Finally, the Pixel 7a is also prepping up a huge battery upgrade. Rumors suggest that Google will finally add wireless charging compatibility to its Pixel A lineup, starting with the Pixel 7a. So far, if the leaks are to be believed, the Pixel 7a is shaping up to be one of the most well-rounded budget phones this year. There's still a bit of a wait, though, with an announcement at the next Google I/O in May and retail availability in June seeming likely, going by the Pixel 6a’s release cycle.
Source: SlashLeaks