Pixel 4a: Here’s an Early Prototype of Google’s Next Phone

Choosing a Pixel phone? You might want to wait a few months to decide. Google sells the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 3a right now, but newly-leaked images reveal what’s next. TechDroider spotted an alleged prototype of Google’s upcoming Pixel 4a, sharing the apparent preproduction unit for the world to see ahead of its official debut.

Google wants the design to resemble its Pixel 4, but the budget-friendly Pixel 4a will feature some tradeoffs. It shouldn’t offer a glass-made backside. The leaked prototype appears to use a plastic-like material. Though less premium than glass, this should at least increase the Pixel 4a’s durability. Additionally, the leaked prototype has a fingerprint scanner on the back since facial recognition likely won’t make the cut.

In another set of images, the alleged Pixel 4a is caught from the front and with its edge-to-edge screen turned on. What’s noteworthy here? Not too much, but it looks like the Pixel 4a will ship with a hole-punch display storing its front-facing camera in the top-left corner.

You’ll notice similarities between this leaked prototype and the renders that emerged last December. Both highlight identical design qualities such as a hole-punch display, rear-based fingerprint scanner, and square-shaped camera module. Since they’re strongly aligning, it’s very likely that this leaked prototype is indeed the Pixel 4a in all its glory.

Inside, the Pixel 4a’s specifications remain a mystery. Little information tells us what to expect in that regard, but some rumors suggest Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 730 or 765 will appear. Google needs to collect low-cost components in order to sell the Pixel 4a at a budget-friendly price. The Pixel 3a is still available for $399, and that starting price should stick around for its successor.

Google’s Pixel 4a should’ve gone official during I/O, but the annual developer conference isn’t taking place as a physical event in 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak. Instead, it’ll get repackaged as a series of videos uploaded to YouTube detailing what’s new with Google and all of its platforms, including Android. So we’ll see how the Mountain View-based company approaches the Pixel 4a’s launch; don’t be surprised if Google unveils the mid-range Pixel phone out of nowhere this spring.

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