Google's mid-range Pixel 7a will introduce a host of features that haven't been part of a-series Pixels before, according to the latest rumors. It'll be equipped with a better screen, a brand-new camera sensor, support for wireless charging, and a new modem.The phone isn't expected to be unveiled until next Spring, but the improvements suggest it could be a much more premium device than before, and even give the Pixel 7 a run for its money.

Pixel 7a Rumored Features

The Pixel 7 may still be new, but that hasn't stopped the leaks and rumors beginning for its mid-range follow-up. The latest word on the 7a specs and features comes from the noted Twitter leaker Kuba Wojciechowski.

Given that the phone isn't likely to be announced until the Google IO event in May 2023, there's no guarantee that this is exactly how it will turn out. But if it does—and assuming Google can maintain the affordable mid-range price—it looks set to be a seriously impressive device.

Among the features that are expected, are:

  • A 1080p display with a 90Hz refresh rate, addressing one of the biggest complaints about the Pixel 6a.
  • A new camera setup with a Sony IMX787 wide-angle lens and IMX712 ultra-wide lens. These are unlikely to be at the same level as the Pixel 7, but the sensors are larger than those in the 6a so should represent a big upgrade.
  • Support for 5W wireless charging—slow, but a welcome first for the series.
  • A Qualcomm modem. This would be new to Pixel phones that use Google's Tensor chip and could fix the signal and connection issues that have plagued some users, especially on the Pixel 6 series.

And all of this would be powered by the Tensor processor, the same one that's used in the full-size models, on top of the features that make Pixel phones unique.

There will, of course, still be some trade-offs to meet the lower price point and to not cannibalize the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro sales too much. But even factoring that in, the 7a is shaping up to be a serious mid-ranger, especially in the US where competition in that part of the market is far less intense than in the rest of the world.

Pixel 7a Will Launch Next Year

The Pixel a-series phones have always offered some of the best value for money in the smartphone market, combining the best of the Pixel experience with a very affordable price tag. When it launches in 2023, the Pixel 7a is shaping up to push that even further.