New Pixel 8a Details Emerge

 

Google's upcoming mid-range smartphone, the Pixel 8a, is expected to be released soon. The launch date is set for May 14, which coincides with Google I/O. While the Pixel 8a has recently been certified by the Federal Communications Commission, leaked photos of the box and renders have been circulating since October, but the device's specifications have not been widely discussed.

According to Kamila Wojciechowska's latest article for Android Authority, the Pixel 8a will feature some significant upgrades. The Pixel 7a already had a 90 Hz display, but the Pixel 8a will take things to the next level with a 120 Hz display, bringing it closer to flagship territory. Wojciechowska's source claims that the Pixel 8a will have a 6.1-inch, 2400×1080 OLED panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate and an improved 1,400 nits brightness, which will not only make the phone more competitive but also be a big deal for the Pixel line's expansion into India, where 120 Hz screens are standard at this price range.

One major surprise in the report is that the Pixel 8a will support DisplayPort via the USB-C port, which would let you plug your phone into a monitor and power the display. This has long been a possibility on Android phones, and some third parties like Samsung have taken advantage of the display-out to allow phones to power a PC-like interface. Google has always specifically gone out of its way to disable display-out on Pixel phones, though, even if it's built into the hardware. Presumably, this has been to prop up Google's wireless "Google Cast" ecosystem, but something has been changing lately. DisplayPort alternate mode was actually recently enabled for the Pixel 8 on one of the new Android betas. Now, it's apparently going to be enabled on the Pixel 8a out of the box. It's unclear why or whether Google has any software mode that will make the feature more useful. For now, it's just a simple display mirroring mode. Another nice improvement is the potential for more country availability. Today, the Pixel 7a is sold in 21 countries (the official list is here). Wojciechowska's Pixel 8a leak includes "electronic warranty labels" for 31 countries, which suggests—but doesn't guarantee—wider distribution. The new countries are Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
One downside to the Pixel 8a release might be a higher price. WinFuture's Roland Quandt reported that the 8a price in Europe is going up from the Pixel 7a's 499 euros to 550 euros. If the US price goes up a similar $50, the Pixel 8a would cost $549. When the Pixel 7a came out, Google kept the Pixel 6a around and dropped the price to $349; hopefully, we'll get a similar Pixel 7a cost reduction, too.