Google’s Pixel 6A was my favourite Android cellphone underneath $500 final 12 months, which implies Google has lots to stay as much as for its rumored Pixel 7A. That new cellphone would possibly get its announcement as early as Wednesday’s Google I/O developer convention, though at the moment Google has not formally teased a Pixel 7A. Ought to a brand new midrange Pixel cellphone get its debut, that gadget faces extra competitors within the finances cellphone area from Samsung, which has the $450 Galaxy A54 5G.
The $449 Pixel 6A is basically a smaller, cheaper model of the Pixel 6, Google’s flagship cellphone from 2021. The Pixel 6A has the identical Tensor processor and normal design because the Pixel 6, however with a lower-resolution, 12-megapixel major digital camera and some different compromises. However its comparatively low price, stable images for the value and enticing design made it a best choice for Android followers buying on a finances.
Google received lots proper with the Pixel 6A, however that does not imply there is not room for enchancment. For instance, I generally felt the Pixel 6A’s display screen was too dim, and its lack of wi-fi charging feels antiquated in 2023. As we wait to see if the Pixel 7A is on its approach, I am rounding up the options I might most wish to see on the attainable cellphone.
Is the Pixel 7A coming?
Google’s Pixel 7A has not been formally introduced, however because the Pixel 6A was introduced ultimately 12 months’s I/O convention, it could not be shocking if the Pixel 7A made its debut at this 12 months’s I/O on Might 10. There have been some leaks, comparable to a picture that claims the Pixel 7A will probably be out there in a blue colour. Other than a attainable I/O announcement, if Google maintains the identical product launch technique as final 12 months, the Pixel 7A might seem as quickly as this summer time.
Identical display screen dimension, however smoother and brighter
The Pixel 6A’s 6.1-inch display screen dimension is ideal for individuals who desire smaller telephones, so I am hoping the Pixel 7A inherits this trait. It rounds out Google’s Pixel household properly by guaranteeing there is a small, medium and huge possibility throughout the lineup.
Nevertheless, I hope to see show upgrades in different areas. Google might enhance the brightness on the Pixel 7A, for instance, contemplating I used to be generally tempted to crank the brightness above 50% on the Pixel 6A, even when indoors. That is one space the place Samsung hardly ever has a difficulty, particularly within the Galaxy S22 and S23 lineups.
I might additionally prefer to see a better refresh fee on the Pixel 7A. Since Google’s A-series telephones aren’t meant to have all of the thrives you’d discover on a flagship cellphone, a regular refresh fee could seem affordable for the Pixel 7A. The issue, although, is that prime refresh charges are not reserved only for premium gadgets. Finances telephones like final 12 months’s Galaxy A53 5G and even Motorola’s Moto G 5G have refresh charges which can be increased than the usual 60Hz, leading to smoother scrolling. That makes the Pixel 6A really feel just a little behind, although it excels over these competing gadgets in different methods, just like the digital camera.
Fortunately, Google would possibly tackle this with the Pixel 7A, if a leak from developer Kuba Wojciechowski seems to be true. Wojciechowski claims to have discovered particulars within the Android codebase indicating that the Pixel 7A might have a better, 90Hz refresh fee, which might match the Pixel 7’s.
Wi-fi charging
One other characteristic lacking from the Pixel 6A is wi-fi charging. The power to cost your cellphone on a wi-fi charging pad as a substitute of by plugging it in might not look like a deal breaker for most individuals. However much like excessive refresh charges, wi-fi charging does not really feel prefer it needs to be a premium characteristic in 2023, particularly since it has been frequent on most telephones for the final 5 years. That mentioned, many competing telephones on this worth vary do not assist wi-fi charging both, apart from the $429 iPhone SE.
Fortunately, the Pixel 7A might certainly achieve wi-fi charging, if Wojciechowski‘s findings are correct.
Extra assured Android updates
Google’s Pixel telephones are among the many first to get new Android software program updates. Google, nevertheless, does not supply Android model updates for so long as Samsung does. Samsung offers 4 generations of Android model updates, whereas Google provides solely three. Contemplating Google is the purveyor of Android, and that Pixel telephones are anticipated to supply the perfect Android expertise, I am hoping Google considers extending assist sooner or later. And never only for the Pixel 7A, however for all upcoming Pixel telephones.
Face Unlock
The Pixel 7 and seven Professional assist the flexibility to unlock your cellphone along with your face, in contrast to the Pixel 6. Since that performance primarily depends on the Pixel 7’s front-facing digital camera, in contrast to Apple’s Face ID, which creates a depth map of your face, I do not see any purpose why Google could not simply convey this characteristic to the Pixel 7A. Samsung’s Galaxy A53 5G, which was in the identical worth vary because the Pixel 6A at launch, additionally helps facial recognition.
If the Pixel 7A does achieve the Pixel 7’s Face Unlock, simply do not forget that Google cautions it is not as safe as utilizing the fingerprint reader or a PIN. Due to this, it is meant for unlocking your cellphone extra conveniently, reasonably than authenticating purchases.
Picture Unblur
One of many largest methods Google differentiates its Pixel telephones from different Android gadgets is by offering software program and digital camera options you possibly can’t get elsewhere. Certainly one of my favourite additions to the Pixel 7 is a characteristic known as Picture Unblur, which sharpens previous images that will’ve been taken out of focus. If the Pixel 7A runs on the identical Tensor G2 processor because the Pixel 7 and seven Professional, it will seemingly assist Picture Unblur, too. And I hope it does, as a result of throughout my evaluate, I used to be severely impressed with how nicely it sharpened a photograph of me from 10 years in the past.
Google has a possibility to make its subsequent A-series Pixel cellphone much more compelling by including options that needs to be commonplace in 2023 — particularly wi-fi charging and a display screen with a better refresh fee. Google will naturally must make some compromises with the Pixel 7A to maintain its worth aggressive and preserve some separation from the Pixel 7. However even with the options talked about above, there’s nonetheless loads that may distinguish the Pixel 7 from its cheaper sibling, like a bigger display screen, a better decision digital camera, a bigger storage possibility and extra RAM.
We’re hoping to search out out extra about Google’s upcoming Pixel plans at its Google I/O developer convention in Might.
