Google Pixel fans, it’s almost time to open up your wallets. Rumors and leaks regarding the Google Pixel 8a have been floating around online for months, and now the phone has taken a big step closer to its official release.
On March 18, Google submitted four new smartphone models to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Getting FCC approval is required of smartphone companies before they can sell a smartphone in the U.S., and it’s usually one of the last big leaks we see for a phone before its official unveiling. In this case, the four model numbers submitted by Google include G8HHN, G6GPR, G576D, and GKV4X.
Although the Google Pixel 8a isn’t specifically mentioned in these FCC listings, their timing all but guarantees that we’re looking at the Pixel 8a. For context, the Google Pixel 7a went through the FCC in late February last year before being released in early May. Furthermore, a leaked Pixel 8a retail box from January showed the same G6GPR model number, all but confirming that this is the Pixel 8a we’re dealing with.
https://t.co/wCbg9TkZ0PVietnamese folks leaked the Pixel, again. pic.twitter.com/jf6j56s5KX
— Chun Bhai (@chunvn8888) January 24, 2024
Don’t read too much into the four separate model numbers. This doesn’t mean Google is planning to release four distinct variants of the Pixel 8a. Instead, these are likely just ever-so-slightly tweaked versions of the phone to account for the different markets in which it’ll be sold. For example, one of the model numbers has mmWave 5G while another one does not. Tthe FCC documents state that all four model numbers are “variants” of each other, and they’re all listed as a “phone.”
So, what does this all mean for the Pixel 8a’s release date? An FCC passthrough like this is always a strong indicator that we aren’t far off. It’s widely believed that Google will announce and release the Pixel 8a during Google I/O, which is taking place on May 14. It’s possible we could see an announcement sooner than that, but I/O seems like the safest bet.
In other words, your wait is almost over!
Related Posts
You could soon ask ChatGPT how healthy your week really was
As noted by MacRumors, Strings inside the app reference health categories such as activity, sleep, diet, breathing, and hearing, suggesting the range of data that could be shared.
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold is cool, but I’m more psyched about the future it teases
It’s surreal to see a device like that come to life. At least on the global stage. Huawei has already done it a couple of times with the dual-folding Mate XT pair, but that device leaves an exposed screen edge, runs a non-Android experience, and remains far away from the Western markets, including the US.
Google Photos Recap is here and the 2025 edition has a narcissism meter too
Gemini scans your library to identify themes, milestones, trips, and things you photographed often.