Google’s upcoming mid-range Pixel 4a and flagship Pixel 5 phones have been delayed, again.
The Pixel 4a was supposed to break cover in May, at Google’s I/O developer conference. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event was postponed before eventually being cancelled. The Pixel 5, as a result, has also been pushed back.
Lets take a look at how Google has managed to fumble an incredibly important phone when every other manufacturer is, seemingly, able to carry on with minimal disruption.
Pixel 4a – What Went Wrong When
We all knew the Pixel 4a would be coming. It would be ridiculous if Google didn’t follow-up on its most successful phone to date.
As ever with Google phones, there was a ton of leaked information too, well before they were supposed to launch at I/O in May. However, Google decided to cancel the conference. Then Google decided to postpone the launch of Android 11 in the wake of the protests surrounding George Floyd’s murder.
Now, according some in-the-know tech leakers, Google has pushed it back again.
Where’s Pixel 4a?
Here’s an update:
AGAIN, it seems Google has delayed Pixel 4a 🤦🏼♂️
Announcement still happening on July 13
But in the system, it’s listed that the “Black” model now launching October 22 😬
“Barely Blue” has been removed entirely…
I’ll keep you updated. 🤷🏼♂ https://t.co/UgsWJrYK4U pic.twitter.com/TX209u9Jqb
— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) June 13, 2020
In fact, there are quite a few pieces of information to take in here. First, Pixel 4a’s announcement is supposedly happening in July. However, the “Barely Blue” model has been removed and the “Black” model is supposedly launching in October.
Prosser thinks that the Pixel 4a was ready to ship but Google had concerns around the market conditions in the wake of coronavirus — hence the delay.
More confusing is the fact that the phone is now apparently scheduled for release in October when, in a normal year at least, Google would be set to announce the more expensive Pixel 5. Would Google really launch the Pixel 4a then, which would be around half the price of the Pixel 5, but would represent much better value for money?
What Will Happen in October?
We’d be shocked if Google announced the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5 series simultaneously.
The Pixel 5 is rumored to use the Snapdragon 765G processor, rather than the faster Snapdragon 865, meaning that the more expensive phone won’t be significantly faster than the Pixel 4a, though it would have 5G. Plus, the Pixel 4a is expected to have seriously good cameras, with improved hardware similar to that on the flagship Pixel 4 series — Google would have to pull out all the stops to make the Pixel 5 look worthwhile in comparison.
Of course, there’s every chance that Google won’t release the Pixel 5 in October, given the delays to the Pixel 4a.
Delaying the Pixel 5, however, would likely put it even further behind its flagship-level rivals in the specs race.
If we’re honest, though, we’re completely confused about what’s going on at Google.
Should You Buy the Pixel 4a When it Arrives?
We’re fans of the Pixel phones here at Tech.co, although our opinions aren’t always shared by the rest of the tech media.
We thought the Pixel 4 XL was a great device, though the Pixel 4’s battery life was a big letdown. We also loved the Pixel 3a and 3a XL.
At this point, however, it would be slightly remiss of us to start recommending you wait for the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5 phones given the amount of uncertainty around them.
At the moment, you can pick up the Pixel 3a and 3a XL for remarkably low prices. The same deals haven’t been extended to the Pixel 4 and 4 XL yet but if you’re after a new Google phone, we’d get one of these existing four, rather than waiting for a phone that might never arrive.
Lead image credit: @OnLeaks
