Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL release date: Specs leak for both new handsets

News update: It looks like the Google Pixel 3a has leaked as much as it possibly can. We now know the exact specs for both the Pixel 3a and 3a XL thanks to one of our favourite mobile leakers, Max J, who took to Twitter recently to eliminate any possible room for a surprise from Google. 

We already know what’s inside the Google Pixel 3a, and you can find out more about that below. The Pixel 3a XL, however, has remained a mystery until very recently. Max J reports that the larger handset will have a 6in Full HD+ gOLED with a resolution of 2,160 x 1,080 (that’s an 18:9 aspect ratio). The phone will have a sizeable 3,700mAh battery with fast charging support. 

Otherwise, both phones are largely identical: same Snapdragon 670 processor, same colour options (Just Black, Clearly White and Purple-ish) and the same Adreno graphics chip. We’re not yet certain what storage/memory configurations will be available for the 3a XL.

The original article continues below. 

The Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL could be on the horizon, according to a teaser banner on the Google store page. This duo of budget smartphones has been a poorly kept secret for quite some time now: the past four months or so have seen a steady increase in Pixel 3a leaks that almost seem to be building towards an official announcement.

The store page image (below) makes pretty explicit reference to the “Pixel universe”. This doesn’t necessarily mean new smartphones, but given the completeness of the picture that the Pixel 3a leaks have painted, we’re inclined to believe that there will be at least some mention of these budget phones.

We already have a very good idea of what to expect from the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL: for rumoured price, design, and specifications, read on.

Google Pixel 3a price: How much will it cost?

Our pricing information comes to us from Phandroid, who discovered a leaked price point for both the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. According to the leaks, you can expect to pay $649.99 for the Pixel 3a, and $799.99 for the XL (that’s Canadian dollars, mind you).

Converted directly, that equates to around £380 and £460 respectively – these prices don’t quite match previous rumours, so keep in mind that they’re subject to change. That said, the Pixel 3a and 3a XL are almost certainly budget smartphones, and as a result we wouldn’t expect to see them retail for more than £500.

READ NEXT: Google Pixel 3 review

Google Pixel 3a design: What will it look like?

There are plenty of images of the Google Pixel 3a floating around the interwebs, but none whatsoever of the Pixel 3a XL, so you’ll just have to use your imagination for now.

Russian tech site Rozetked published an article in November 2018 that gives a pretty comprehensive look at the Pixel 3a. As well as a complete specs and features list, the site also managed to get their hands on some photos; there’s no guarantee that the information is accurate, but the images certainly look the part.

^ Image credit: Rozetked.me

The phone in the photo has what looks like a plastic body, which immediately marks it as a budget model – the Pixel 3 is an all-glass affair. That traditional two-tone design remains, divisive as ever, with a lone rear camera and rear-mounted fingerprint sensor drawing attention on the back of the device. Moving to the sides, we find a light green power button, plus a volume rocker, side-mounted SIM tray and, crucially, a top-mounted 3.5mm headphone jack. Praise Google.

The display is flanked by a slightly more sizeable bezel than that of the Pixel 3, but is otherwise unremarkable apart from the lone selfie camera that sits in the top-right corner.

These images are certainly better than renders, and for the most part the phones look thoroughly lifelike. The only slight issue is that the classic “G” Google logo on the rear of the device is a “C” here, but supposedly this is common practice with in-development handsets.   

In addition, Serial leaker Evan Blass has posted an image of the Google Pixel 3a on Twitter. He gave nothing else away, much to our disappointment, so we’re just going to show you the Tweet.

This image lines up quite nicely with the leaks we’ve mentioned above. The handset has all the hallmarks of a budget device: the large bezels, plastic construction and single rear camera are more reminiscent of the original Google Pixel than the 3 or 3 XL. 

READ NEXT: Google Pixel 3 XL review

Google Pixel 3a specifications: What’s inside?

We return once more to the Russian site Rozetked, whose inside scoop painted a pretty thorough picture of the Google Pixel 3. Powering the handset will be a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670, a low-power sibling to the Snapdragon 845 inside the regular Pixel 3. An Adreno 615 graphics chip will provide the grunt for demanding visual applications.

There only seems to be one storage/memory configuration available: 32GB with 4GB of RAM. As with other Pixel phones, the handset will not support microSD storage expansion.

On the screen front, the Pixel 3a has a 5.56in gOLED display with a resolution of 2,220 x 1,080 – nothing exceptional, but this is meant to be a budget handset. Keeping the lights on is a 2,915mAh battery.

We’ll be sure to update this article as soon as we hear anything more about these budget smartphones, so don’t go anywhere.