Tag Archives: Pixel 7a

Android, Mobile, News

[Google I/O 2023] The Google Pixel 7a – A Familiar Face, Better Than Ever

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Google I/O 2023 did not just introduce a brand-new Android to us. It introduced the budget powerhouse that will be running Android 14 for us. Google I/O 2023 brought the new Google Pixel 7a to us.

To be fair, not much has changed from the Google Pixel 7 from last year. It still packs Google’s in-house developed Tensor G2 platform with eight cores within the processor unit. You get 8GB of RAM out of it and up to 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage for ultra-fast data access and interface feel. Alongside Titan M2 chip integrated into the Tensor platform, you can even be sure that your device is more secure than ever.

You get a slightly smaller screen at 6.1-inch instead of 6.3-inch. It still displays at Full HD+ resolution and up to 90Hz in refresh rate. While it is nothing close to what ASUS had offered with their flagship ROG Phone 7, the display is a respectable one. It is also protected with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3, not their latest, but still strong enough to take on the daily bumps and scrapes. But it is not just the screen that is durable. Google says that the Pixel 7a is built to be the most durable A-series smartphone they have so far. The entire aluminium housing of the device is also 100% recycled, to comply with Google’s commitment to sustainability.

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Source: Google

It packs everything that made the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro a delight to use, thanks to Android in part. It features the clever Pixel Call Assist that just makes phone calls to service providers much more bearable. With Direct My Call, the device gets you to the right departments quicker without too much fuss, Call Screen lets you screen through calls before you pick it up, Hold for Me holds your calls for you when you are in a waiting line so that you do not have to, the device even tells you how long you have to wait until you get an answer or representative talking to you via Wait Times. Of course, the clever interface enhances your calls with anyone with Clear Calling that enhances your voice and reduces background noise.  Thanks to the power of Tensor G2 and Android, Live Translate, Recorder Speaker Labels, Assistant Voice Typing, and Voice Messaging Transcription on the messaging app is better than ever too on the Google Pixel 7a.

Where the Pixel 7a differs from the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro is the cameras it packs. The Google Pixel 7a comes with a 64-Megapixel main shooter that is also supported by a 13-Megapixel ultrawide camera on the side. It does not have a third camera like the Pixel 7 Pro. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro also only comes with a 50-Megapixel main camera, which is technically less powerful than that of the Pixel 7a. Compared to the Google Pixel 6a though, the 64-Megapixel sensor is 72% larger than before for up to 44% more light capture. There is also a 13-Megapixel front-facing camera that is now capable of recording videos at up to 4K resolutions. Thanks to the Tensor G2 processor, the main camera can now shoot in Long Exposure mode that can really enhance photos with moving objects or subjects. You can even take photos at 8x zoom with Super Res zoom function.

Price and Availability

The Pixel 7a is now available in the United States for US$ 499 (MYR 2,226*) onward. You can choose between four attractive colours – Coral, Sea, Charcoal, and Snow. The Google Pixel 7a will be available in other select markets on a later date. Unfortunately, Malaysia will not be getting the Google Pixel 7a in an official capacity at this time. More about the Google Pixel 7a can be found on their website.

*Approximately based the exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.46 as of 11/05/2023 on xe.com

Android, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

Google Reveals the Pixel Fold, The Next Word in Foldables

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Google I/O 2023 has been announced and it is happening on the 10th of May 2023. Among other things, we expect to see a new Android being announced. We expect to see the new Google Pixel 7 series for 2023 with their second-generation Tensor, the Google Tensor G2 integrated chip. We could see a new Android Wear update, or a new Google smartwatch being announced in I/O. These are all speculations and expectations though. There is one thing that Google have just confirmed as of yesterday that you will see at Google I/O 2023, the Pixel Fold.

The Pixel Fold announcement is more like a teaser than anything else. They announced on their Twitter and Pixel store that the Pixel Fold is coming with a teaser video. The 8-second video does not tell us much more than what we the rumour mills have said about the Pixel Fold though. It shows the exterior display, internal display with some bezel space to fit a front facing camera, the rear camera with Google logo to boot below it, the hinge plate, and the unfolding of the device. There are no details whatsoever in the teaser video on its specifications, hinge mechanism, or the version of Android it comes with. The teaser also only showed a single colour option for the Google Pixel Fold. Expect a black colour variant though, always expect black colour as an option.

It is not hard to figure out what you might get with the highly anticipated foldable device though. Based on many rumours, reports, and educated guesses, we can expect the Google Pixel Fold to come with their very own Tensor G2 chip rather than a Qualcomm one. It is also reported that the external display will measure at 5.8 inches while the internal main display will measure at 7.6 inches. The displays are supposed to support up to 120Hz in refresh rate.

As for the camera, rumours and reports point to a 48-Megapixel main camera supported by a 10.8-Megapixel ultrawide shooter, and 10-8-Megapixel telephoto camera with up to 5x optical zoom and 20x hybrid zoom. The rumours also point to a larger and more durable battery to its main rival, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. They say that this will have a battery that can go on for up to 72 hours on a single charge, which is quite a bold claim considering battery technology has stagnated for a while.

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As for the price, rumours suggest that the Google Pixel Fold will be sold at US$ 1,700 (MYR 7,544*) onward andu p to nearly US$ 2,000 (MYR 8,876*). While the prices are not too far off Samsung’s offering, they are still rather premium. Like the Google Pixel devices though, Malaysia will most likely not see the device in an official capacity at least. You can expect our good neighbour Singapore to get it sometime after the device goes on sale in the United States (U.S.) though. In that case, you might be able to secure your hands on one from Singapore if you really want one. More on Google’s Pixel Fold and Google I/O 2023 can be found on their website.

*approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.44 as of 05/05/2023 on xe.com

Android, Lifestyle, News

Google I/O 2023 is On, and it is Happening on the 10th of May 2023 

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Each year, there are a few events we all look forward to. For Samsung, we are always excited for their two Unpacked events. For Apple, they have their WWDC and annual iPhone launch events. For Google, we are always excited for their I/O event. This year, as expected, it is happening. 

The last Google I/O 2022 saw Google announce their latest Tensor 2 integrated mobile processing chip. It also saw their latest Google Pixel smartphone revealed to the world. To the disappointment of many, The Google Pixel did not come with a foldable or flip form that was highly anticipated and rumoured.  

For 2023, the date to be saved is 10th of May 2023. Google’s current CEO has tweeted the event date and even posted a link that directs users to the mini page complete with a countdown clock. The website also says that the conference is open to all who wish to attend or watch online. There will be a “limited live audience” present though, according to Google.  

As usual, we expect to see the next iteration of Android, Android 14 now to be announced at the event. Android 14 is now available too for developers, so if you want to be the first to know what is going to come, you can sign up as one and preview the build yourself. Alongside Android 14, we expect to see Google announcing new hardware, a new Pixel device perhaps, a new Wear OS device, and maybe a TV box. If we are lucky, maybe they will launch a new Chromebook at the event. There are a few rumours going around that we can expect to see Google’s foldable Pixel devices announced in this year’s Google I/O event. There are also rumours about a tablet device from Google that is to be announced in the upcoming event.  

All these are just speculations for the time being though. The event is not happening in another two months, which means there is still plenty of unknown. What we know though is that there will also be various developer sessions and discussions after the keynote event headed by Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google.  

You can start registering for the event now on their event page itself.