With just a few days left until the Google I/O 2023 event, tech enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the debut of the Pixel 7a. However, the excitement is tinged with concerns about the future of Google’s affordable ‘a’ series. Fans are worried that this may be the last time they will see an affordable Pixel phone from Google.
The reason for this is that the Pixel 7a seems to have converged much closer to the regular models in terms of features and price. Rumors suggest that it will debut with a price tag of $499, whereas the Google Pixel 7 sells for $599. This means that the ‘a’ series is no longer a “budget-friendly” option.
This is a stark contrast to what the ‘a’ series was initially designed to be. It was intended to provide a more affordable option for those who wanted a Pixel phone without breaking the bank.
Recent rumors and discussions among tech enthusiasts suggest that the upcoming Pixel 7a could be the last budget-friendly phone in Google’s ‘a’ series. Yogesh Brar, a well-known tipster, sparked the conversation with a tweet highlighting the price trend of the Pixel lineup.
While the Pixel 7a is still cheaper than the Pixel 7, it’s not as budget-friendly as previous ‘a’ series models. However, this trend towards higher prices also comes with increased performance. For instance, the Pixel 7a boasts an overclocked version of the Tensor G2 chip, which according to leaked Geekbench scores, could outperform the regular Pixel 7.
With just a few days left until the official launch of the Pixel 7a at Google I/O 2023, many are eagerly waiting to see if this will be the last affordable Pixel phone.
It’s important to note that Google introduced the Pixel ‘a’ series in order to provide users with a great Pixel experience at a lower cost than the high-end Pixel models. The ‘a’ phones of the past were equipped with mid-tier specs, but the Pixel 5 and Pixel 5a changed that by using the same chipset as the high-end models.
With the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6a, the gap between the budget-friendly phone and the flagship was further narrowed. However, the recent Google Pixel 7a takes things a step further, with similar specs and a price difference of only $100 from the Pixel 7.
This raises concerns about the future of the ‘a’ series. If Google can’t maintain the price difference between the flagship and the budget alternative, the purpose of the ‘a’ series no longer makes sense.
