Google Pixel 9a leak suggests design changes
What's the story
Google's upcoming budget smartphone, the Pixel 9a, has been leaked online.
The leaked images reveal a camera island sitting flush with the frame instead of protruding from the back, hinting at a potential design shift for the A-series lineup.
The details were initially shared in a private Vietnamese Pixel fan Facebook group, and later posted by ShrimpApplePro on X.
However, due to the early stage of these leaks and the limited information, it's advised to approach the images with caution.
Camera design
The phone will feature dual camera setup
The leaked images suggest that Google may modify or completely remove the camera bar from the Pixel 9a.
The device is expected to feature a dual camera setup with a glossy ring around it, similar to the Pixel 9 series' rounded floating camera bar.
However, the LED flash will be positioned on the right side and not within this section.
The removal of the camera bar could help differentiate this series and potentially reduce production costs.
Aesthetic shift
Boxy aesthetic of Pixel 9 series maintained
The leaks also suggest that the Pixel 9a will adopt the boxy aesthetic of the Pixel 9 series.
The device is expected to feature flat side rails and a SIM tray positioned on the bottom bezel, similar to the latest flagship lineup.
It's unclear if the display bezels will be uniform on all sides, but screen edges appear more pronounced compared to those on Pixel 9 and 9 Pro.
Release speculation
Color and release date
The images suggest that the Pixel 9a may feature a matte backplate and side rails.
ShrimpApplePro has also hinted at a potential release toward the "end of this year," with up to four color options including "silver."
However, given that the Pixel 8a was launched only a few months ago ahead of Google I/O, this information should be taken with a grain of salt.