Google teases May 7 Pixel keynote event, Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL incoming? 

Google is gearing for I/O – an annual developer conference that deals exclusively in software, more precisely Android. But looks like the company may also have some new hardware to share at I/O 2019. Google has started teasing some sort of Pixel-related announcement, come May 7 (May 8 IST) - and it is very likely that Google may finally take the wraps off the long-rumoured (and seemingly confirmed by Google itself) Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL phones on the said date. The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL may be accompanied by the Nest Hub Max as well.  

Google has already let the upcoming Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL phones slip through on the Play Developer Console – the Pixel 3a and the Nest Hub Max were recently spotted on the Google Store (Google has since taken down the listing). 

The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL aren’t supposed to be next-generation phones – that will ideally be the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. Instead the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are supposed to a be mid-cycle refresh of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL – their main USP is said to be the fact that the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL will be mid-range phones designed to be much more affordable than the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. In fact, it won’t be wrong to say that Google may be looking to market them ‘full-on’ in developing markets including India. 

The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are apparently code-named Bonito and Sargo. While the Pixel 3a is said to come with a 5.6-inch OLED screen with a 1080x2220 pixel resolution and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor with 4GB RAM under the hood – it will reportedly come with a 12MP rear camera and a 3,000mAh battery. As for the Pixel 3a XL, it is said to come with a 6-inch screen with a 1080x2160 pixel resolution and 4GB RAM. 

Google’s Pixel phones are widely known for their outstanding camera credentials – and it is expected that both the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL will pack the same cameras as the Pixel 3. Of course, Google’s computational photography chops also have a lot to do with the Pixel’s class-leading camera capabilities, which brings us to their second biggest highlight – the Pixel devices run a stock, unadulterated version of Android and are first in line to receive any software update that Google can conjure – Google is now rolling out Android Q developer beta for all Pixel devices (including the first-generation Pixel). The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are expected to get the same treatment. 

But being affordable mid-range devices means they may cut some corners – in build quality for instance, as also in terms of processing power and more. 

Also Read:  Android Q Beta Officially Out For Pixel Phones: Let’s Take A Closer At Some Of Its Top Features