There have been rumours for a while now that Google has been planning to release an all new Pixel 3 smartphone pitched at people looking for a lower-cost alternative to its flagship handsets. It now looks like those rumours are confirmed following leaks corroborated by references in the Android Q beta source code.
The new handsets, called the Google Pixel 3a and the Google Pixel 3a XL were previously expected to be called the Google Pixel 3 Lite. But it seems that the "Lite" moniker has been dropped which makes sense as it implies a lesser phone. And while the specs might not be the same as the flagship Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, by using 3a rather than Lite, it makes the new handsets sound like an upgrade.
The Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL will have 5.6-inch and 6-inch displays, come in white and black with a potential third option that may be alight purple based on some rumours, Active Edge squeezable sides, the Titan M security chip, eSIM, and 64GB of storage.
Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL Rumoured Specifications
Google Pixel 3a and Google Pixel 3a XL Rumoured Specs
Operating system
Android 9 Pie
Display
Google Pixel 3a: 5.6-inch OLED display at 2220×1080 and 440dpi. Google Pixel 3a XL: 6-inch display (resolution and pixel density TBC)
Cameras
TBC but expected to be 8MP front and 12MP rear
Size
Google Pixel 3a: 160mm by 76mm Google Pixel 3a XL: TBC
CPU
Either either Snapdragon 670 or 710 processor (TBC)
Memory
64 GB storage
Network
TBC but expect the usual 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5, satnav
Ports
USB Type-C
Battery
Google Pixel 3a: 3000mAh, fast charging support over USB-C Google Pixel 3a XL: TBC
Other features
Active Edge squeezable sides, Titan M security chip
Pricing is still unknown but leaks revealed through WinFuture (translated from the original German) suggest the Pixel 3a will cost €450 – that's about $720 in dollarydoo money. Once you add GST, that bring's you close to $800. And I'd add another $150 to the Pixel 3a XL, keeping both handsets under $1000.
A release date is unconfirmed but given everything from offical Google SKU numbers and quite detailed specs being leaked, we can anticipate something soon. Google typically launches the Pixel phones during October so an April release, which makes the new model a mid-cycle update, makes sense.
Originally published in Lifehacker Australia on 29 March 2019: https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2019/03/google-is-releasing-a-new-pixel-smartphone/