Update, September 4, 2020 (5:00 p.m. ET): Blah
Original article: After a three-month delay, the Google Pixel 4a finally landed in early August. In a very un-Google move, the company also confirmed that a new variant of the Pixel 4a would be coming soon. This phone is called the Google Pixel 4a 5G.
Of course, one would assume that this future smartphone is just a 5G powered Pixel 4a (it’s exactly in the name!). However, rumors have it that there are some differences between the Pixel 4a and the Pixel 4a 5G.
Connected: Google Pixel 4a review: Google’s best phone in years
Below we’ve rounded up all of the various rumors and leaks we’ve seen so far related to the Google Pixel 4a 5G. We also have some verified information straight from Google. Overall, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect when the Pixel 4a 5G lands later this year.
Make sure you bookmark this page and visit often as we will keep updating it as new information becomes available!
When is the Google Pixel 4a 5G release date?
On August 3rd, the same day the Pixel 4a launched, Google pushed out the above image and confirmed that a Google Pixel 4a 5G 2020 will land next to the Google Pixel 5.
Unfortunately, Google hasn’t confirmed exactly when the new device would launch either. The next day, however, an accomplished one 9to5Google The reader noted that the French version of Google’s announcement for Pixel 4a included a pre-order date for Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. That date was listed as October 8, 2020.
Google has confirmed that the Pixel 4a 5G will hit the market sometime in 2020. So you can take it to the bank … unless there is another delay.
However, we may see the device sooner. A recent rumor has it that we could see both the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 before the end of September, possibly by September 25th. However, this rumor does not come from a known source, so the October 8 date is very likely to be more accurate.
Regardless, we should see the Google Pixel 4a 5G very soon!
design
In the image heading from the previous section, you can see the side profile of two phones. The left one is likely to be the Pixel 5, while the right one (with the white button) is likely to be the Google Pixel 4a 5G. That’s as much as we’ve seen from official sources on both devices so far.
Accessory manufacturer Pigtou – with the help of a relatively new delicacy “xleaks7”- posted some images in July that were claimed to show early renders from Google Pixel 5. However, we now assume that the renders are actually for Pixel 4a 5G. Check out a selection of the leaked renders below:
These leaked design images suggest that the Google Pixel 4a 5G looks very similar to the Pixel 4a. It could be physically larger than the Pixel 4a, however, and it could also have a dual-lens rear camera system – a nice upgrade over the Pixel 4a’s excellent single-lens shooter.
Recently we saw the first real pictures of a Pixel 5 and a Pixel 4a 5G. Check them out here (the Pixel 5 is likely on the left and the Pixel 4a 5G on the right):
The leaked image above and the renders give the impression that the Pixel 4a 5G will be very similar to the Pixel 4a in terms of design. The only other thing noteworthy is that these renders don’t show a headphone jack. Considering that both the Pixel 4a and Pixel 3a have headphone jacks, it would be strange if this one drops them. Hopefully that’s just an inaccuracy in these renders and the Pixel 4a 5G has a headphone jack. We have to wait and see.
Technical data and features
The most obvious upgrade needed for a Google Pixel 4a 5G is the processor. The Pixel 4a’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 is undoubtedly an excellent chipset, but it cannot connect to 5G networks. So we expect the Pixel 4a 5G to come with a Snapdragon 765 (or possibly 765G), which is a 5G capable processor.
Connected: Is the Google Pixel 4a powerful enough for a budget phone in 2020?
This makes the phone a bit more powerful than its namesake. You can see what differences there can be between the OnePlus Nord (SD765G) and the Pixel 4a in our Speed Test G-Battle. We’ll spoil it for you prematurely: The Nord wins, but not by much.
The Pixel 4a 5G has an updated processor. It will likely have more cameras and a larger battery as well.
Outside of the processor, we expect the Google Pixel 4a 5G to have a bigger battery too, as the phone will likely be physically larger than the Pixel 4a. We aren’t expecting too many other spec upgrades, however – you can probably expect the same screen resolution, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, and many other specs that we saw on the Pixel 4a.
In terms of features, the Pixel 4a 5G is a Pixel, so it’ll show you quick updates for the latest versions of Android, as well as many of the popular Pixel-exclusive features like the call screen and astrophotography. However, some functions will be missing due to hardware limitations. For example, there will likely be no Motion Sense or wireless charging.
Google Pixel 4a 5G: price and availability
In another very un-Google move, the company has already confirmed the price for the Google Pixel 4a 5G. The phone will start at $ 499, a $ 150 jump in price compared to $ 349 for the Pixel 4a.
That extra $ 150 is almost half the price of the Pixel 4a. So Google better have many reasons for this leap than just “it connects to 5G”. With 5G still relatively rare around the world, this feature alone is unlikely to be enough to entice people to spend $ 500 on a phone when they could spend $ 350 on a very similar one.
Connected: All previously released Google Pixel phones
For this reason, we expect additional cameras, a larger display, a larger battery, and other specifications and functional enhancements for the Google Pixel 4a 5G.
In terms of availability, Google has also provided this information in advance. The company confirmed that the Pixel 4a 5G (and the Pixel 5) will be launched in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, the UK and the US this year.
Unfortunately, the company has also confirmed that neither Singapore nor India will see the Pixel 4a 5G or the Pixel 5 at all. Both countries will see the vanilla Pixel 4a sometime in October.
That’s all we have on the Google Pixel 4a 5G so far! Make sure to bookmark this page so you can keep up to date with the latest news.