Google Pixel 9a leak hints at major design changes – but we’re not convinced
The images surfaced on a Vietnamese tech forum
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Images of the rumoredGooglePixel 9a have supposedly surfaced online, showing squared edges and a new camera housing.
Android Authorityreports that two images of a possible Pixel 9a prototype were shared to Vietnamese tech forum Tinthe on August 6, before beingshared to X(formerly Twitter) by user ShrimpApplePro on August 26.
The images suggest that the as-yet-unannounced device will have squared edges, in contrast to the rounded design of theGoogle Pixel 9.
Additionally, the iconic bar design camera housing – first added to Pixel phones in 2021 – has seemingly been ditched on this prototype, with its designers instead opting for a glossy ring encircling two lenses (see the images below).
Pixel 9aSource: some random post on Facebook pic.twitter.com/y8jwaQM6Z8August 26, 2024
The rest of the phone’s construction seems fairly standard, with a button and volume rocker visible on the right edge and a SIM tray, USB-C port and speaker grille along the bottom. The flat screen sports a punch-hole for a front-facing camera.
The supposed Pixel 9a prototype is seen in black in these images, with ShrimpApplePro suggesting it will be released in four colors before the end of the year.
We’re not sure on this one
As for the accuracy of this leak, the lack of detail and relatively major changes on show here make it hard to take too seriously.
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For starters, Android Authority notes that the original caption on the images claimed that the device in question would launch on August 13 – aka the release date for the Pixel 9 lineup – which has now long passed.
What’s more, A-series Pixels have generally followed the design of their ‘parent’ flagships. Last year’sPixel 8a, for instance, was essentially a plasticPixel 8, with a near-identical silhouette.
The squared edges seen in the leaked images seem to be made of metal, though it’s hard to tell with the suboptimal lighting and resolution. It’s not out of the question that Google would switch back to metal for the A-series, but it would be odd to have a budget-conscious option lead on design changes, since Google tends to introduce major Pixel design changes at the flagship level.
The images show an altered Google logo on the back of the phone, but this is a known tactic that manufacturers use to confuse leakers.
Launching the Pixel 9a before the end of the year would also break Google tradition, as A-series phones – which are positioned as mid-range alternatives to Google’s flagship Pixel phones – are typically released mid-year. However, as9to5Googlesuggests, the changes could be an intentional move to distinguish the A-series from the flagship Pixel lineup.
At this point, then, it’s too unclear to say anything definitive; it’ll be up to Google to confirm whether any additional Pixel 9 phones are on the way. For an idea of what a rumored Pixel 9a could offer, check out ourGoogle Pixel 9 reviewandGoogle Pixel 8a review.
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Jamie is a Mobile Computing Staff Writer for TechRadar, responsible for covering phones and tablets. He’s been tech-obsessed from a young age and has written for various news and culture publications. Jamie graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Since starting out as a music blogger in 2020, he’s worked on local news stories, finance trade magazines, and multimedia political features. He brings a love for digital journalism and consumer technology to TechRadar. Outside of the TechRadar office, Jamie can be found binge-watching tech reviews, DJing in local venues around London, or challenging friends to a game of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
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