We’re getting ever closer to Google I/O 2023, and it looks like this year’s event will come with some new hardware. Google is expected to announce its latest mid-range phone, the Pixel 7A, at May 10 I/O keynote. The company has a long history of sheer incompetence when it comes to containing leaks and product secrecy, and the 7A was no exception.
Now let’s take a look (via 9to5Google) on what appear to be Google’s official marketing renders of the phone – and they feature a new blue color option that will be available alongside black and white. It’s a muted blue and still far from the original “really blue” Pixel; Google seems very hesitant to go bold on colors again, which is a shame.
Worth the wait over a $449 Pixel 7?
The images were published by MySmartPrice and OnLeaks, and they confirm that the Pixel 7A will be closer to Google’s flagship phones than any previous A-series. You get the same camera bar design with a cutout for two lenses, and the side rails again appear to be metal (like the 6A). Without the more substantial display bezels, most people would struggle to tell this thing apart from last year’s Pixel 7.
The Pixel 7A is rumored to be powered by the same Tensor G2 chip as the 7 and 7 Pro. And Google seems Finally bowing to pressure from Samsung, OnePlus and other competitors by including a 90Hz display. This would be another specification that it shares with the Pixel 7.
There will be differences between them – including camera hardware, most likely – but Google looks set to iterate on the Pixel 6A with some nice quality of life improvements. Keep in mind that the Pixel 7 is always currently on sale for $449with the 6A basically on clearance at $299, so the big question is where the price of the 7A will land. We’ll know more about that (along with the rest of the new stuff) in a few weeks. Personally, I’m much more excited for the Pixel Fold we often talk about as the next entrant in the folding phone arena.