Google launched the Google Pixel 5a last week on the 17ht of August 2021. Of course, the launch of a new Google Pixel is quite expected. The Google Flagship will also come with Google’s latest and greatest Android 12 with Material You design that had been the focus point in Google I/O earlier in the year.
Since Google has moved away from flagship level hardware, the Google Pixel has known to be some of the most remarkably average devices out in the wild with a reasonably modest price tag. The Google Pixel 5a is no different in recipe. You can pre-order it at US$ 449 (MYR 1,899*) , which is not a lot of money for a modern smartphone.
For that money though, you are still getting a remarkable device. It still packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G System on a Chip (SoC) that you saw on the Pixel 5. Of course, that chip is also a 5G capable chip allowing the Pixel 5a to be 5G ready, as before. Oddly enough though, instead of the 8GB of RAM you find on the Google Pixel 5, the Google Pixel 5a only packs 6GB of RAM. This could also be due to Google’s own optimisation on Android 12 that makes it kinder to RAM usage on your smartphones. Alongside the 6GB though you get 128GB in built-in storage, same as before, and Dual SIM capabilities just as before.
You also get the same camera set up as before. The Pixel 5a sports a 12-Megapixel camera out the back together with a 16-Megapixel ultrawide camera. It does not sport a triple camera module, but the pair of cameras that comes with the Pixel 5a are essentially the most frequently used pair in modern smartphones anyway.
There are a few additional things you will find on the Google Pixel 5a that makes it an upgrade compared to the Pixel 5 though. It has a beefier battery at 4,680 mAh, 600 mAh bigger than the Pixel 5. The sad part is that the Pixel 5a does not offer wireless charging support here.
You also get a larger display on the Google Pixel 5a. The new Google reference smartphone now has a 6.34-inch Full HD+ OLED display instead of the measly 6.0-inch of the previous device. There are no mentions on its refresh rate though.
You still charge your device via the USB Type-C port. As mentioned, you do not get wireless charging. However, you do get a 3.5mm AUX jack, which is always a good option. Of course, the device is also water and dust resistant with IP67 certification.
Alongside the announcement that Google Pixel 5a will be available though, Google also made an announcement that the older Pixel devices will be discontinued. That also means that the arrival of the Google Pixel 5a will mark the departure of the Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G.
The news came out first on Digital Trends. A spokesperson that spoke to Digital Trends is expecting the Google Pixel 4a 5G variant and Pixel 5 will sell out in the coming weeks following the launch of the new Google Pixel 5a. The launch of the Google Pixel 5a obviously drives down the prices of the older devices a that makes them a lot more affordable and attractive options as low-cost devices.
There are speculations that Google is discontinuing the Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G mostly due to the chip shortage that is happening globally. Amidst the launch of the Google Pixel 5a too, Google has been teasing their upcoming premium devices, the Google Pixel 6 series that is supposed to come with Google’s very own Tensor chip. The Google designed chip marks a departure from their long-standing dependence and exclusive partnership with Qualcomm. The new chip is also supposedly co-developed and manufactured by Samsung, which is now the largest chipmaker in the world.
In that case, it could be Google streamlining their product line-up to prepare for the Google Pixel 6 series coming later this year, or early next year. Of course, a more streamlined product is always more beneficial to manufacturers in keeping their warehousing costs lower. At the same time, a smaller product range also means lower production costs while allowing Google to ensure that their production line can keep up with demands.
There is more bad news though. While Google said that the Google Pixel 5 will start shipping by 26th of August, the device will not be hitting shelves near you anytime soon or ever if you live outside of the United States (US) and Japan. There are plenty of options for devices that costs around the same amount of money though, so it is not like you are losing out all that much on the Google Pixel 5a.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.23 on xe.com as of 23/08/2021