What do y'all expect from the Pixel 4a / 4a XL?
I think it's safe to say that in general, we'll see, compared to the present versions, similarly scaled down versions of the 4 / 4 XL, continuing to sacrifice up some of the premium niceties such as IP rating, wireless charging, glass back, top tier chipset. Likely also foregoing the 90Hz display. In tandem with a newer processor and (as last year) larger battery, battery life could be truly stellar.
I believe Google (rightfully) sees it as a critical priority to keep close parity of performance for cameras between the mid-range and flagship Pixels, so do expect that it will launch with telephoto lens, and of course support the software-/AI-driven functionalities.
I don't expect Soli to make the cut, as from my understanding it needs to be optimized heavily to the specific device, and, having had much more time to work on it by the time the 4a / 4a XL roll out, they would likely have to 'dumb it down' to keep it from overshadowing the 4 / 4 XL. Plus, they'd do well to put all their efforts truly innovating with it to make it offer some truly compelling functionality when the 5 rolls out (assuming they don't simply dump it).
But what strikes me as most potentially interesting about the 4a / 4a XL is that they could include the new SD765 chipset, making it Google's first 5G phone (which also continues to fully support 4G LTE on-die) - and if the 4a / 4a XL are as amazing a bang-for-the-buck value as the 3a / 3a XL have been, it could put Google in a position to carve out a real wedge of the market.
While it's early to recommend 5G devices for anyone to gain practical benefit today (almost no footprint for high performance 5G, albeit a mostly national footprint for modest 25% speed gains by one carrier), by the time these models roll out that will have evolved a little bit more, and with the average person waiting closer to 2.5-3 years between upgrades, it'll be a strong option.
I think it's safe to say that in general, we'll see, compared to the present versions, similarly scaled down versions of the 4 / 4 XL, continuing to sacrifice up some of the premium niceties such as IP rating, wireless charging, glass back, top tier chipset. Likely also foregoing the 90Hz display. In tandem with a newer processor and (as last year) larger battery, battery life could be truly stellar.
I believe Google (rightfully) sees it as a critical priority to keep close parity of performance for cameras between the mid-range and flagship Pixels, so do expect that it will launch with telephoto lens, and of course support the software-/AI-driven functionalities.
I don't expect Soli to make the cut, as from my understanding it needs to be optimized heavily to the specific device, and, having had much more time to work on it by the time the 4a / 4a XL roll out, they would likely have to 'dumb it down' to keep it from overshadowing the 4 / 4 XL. Plus, they'd do well to put all their efforts truly innovating with it to make it offer some truly compelling functionality when the 5 rolls out (assuming they don't simply dump it).
But what strikes me as most potentially interesting about the 4a / 4a XL is that they could include the new SD765 chipset, making it Google's first 5G phone (which also continues to fully support 4G LTE on-die) - and if the 4a / 4a XL are as amazing a bang-for-the-buck value as the 3a / 3a XL have been, it could put Google in a position to carve out a real wedge of the market.
While it's early to recommend 5G devices for anyone to gain practical benefit today (almost no footprint for high performance 5G, albeit a mostly national footprint for modest 25% speed gains by one carrier), by the time these models roll out that will have evolved a little bit more, and with the average person waiting closer to 2.5-3 years between upgrades, it'll be a strong option.
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