Google Pixel 9a to come back with Tensor G4 however an older modem

Google Pixel A collection telephones are considered a number of the greatest funds Android telephones, and for good cause. Whereas they make some sacrifices relating to {hardware}, they greater than make up for it with cheaper price tags and entry to Google’s sought-after software program and digital camera magic. Even higher, the final iteration of the collection, the Pixel 8a, got here even nearer to the flagship tier Pixels, with a brighter 120 Hz show and 7 years of updates.

All this, nonetheless, put the A collection Pixels in a considerably awkward place — the Pixel 8a was so near the Pixel 8, each when it comes to worth and {hardware}, that it appeared to be redundant. This would possibly change quickly, nonetheless. Because of a supply inside Google, we’ve discovered that Pixel 9a is coming with some necessary variations in comparison with the Pixel 9 collection.

New processor, outdated modem

As anticipated, the Pixel 9a — codename “tegu” — is coming with the Google Tensor G4, which we’ve already seen within the Pixel 9 collection. The chip is a moderately minor improve over the Tensor G3, however the change is welcome nonetheless.

Equally to the Pixel 8a, the Pixel 9a makes use of a barely totally different model of the G4 than the Pixel 9 collection. Whereas the silicon die contained in the chip is similar, the plastic bundle differs. Whereas the common G4 makes use of FOPLP (Fan-Out Panel Stage Packaging), the 9a’s G4 makes use of IPoP (Built-in Package deal on Package deal). Based on Samsung, IPoP is thicker and warmer than FOPLP, however it’s also cheaper, which explains the choice. In follow, the efficiency variations shouldn’t be big, and the chip ought to nonetheless be an affordable improve on final 12 months’s mannequin.

Whereas the Tensor G4 wasn’t an enormous improve to the Pixel 9 collection, the brand new modem that was added alongside it was. The Exynos Modem 5400 has options reminiscent of Satellite tv for pc SOS and help for 5G 3GPP Rel. 17, however extra importantly, it runs significantly extra effectively and is cooler because of this.

Sadly, the brand new modem is absent from the Pixel 9a, which as an alternative retains the Exynos Modem 5300 that was used on the Pixel 8 collection. The omission is disappointing, but it surely ought to hopefully let Google hit decrease costs for the brand new gadget with out sacrificing an excessive amount of.

The earlier A collection Pixel gadgets hit considerably of an id disaster — they weren’t fairly a funds cut price and have been solely a barely downgraded model of the common Pixels. The Pixel 9a is perhaps the primary inexpensive fashionable Pixel to interrupt this development. The usage of the older modem is the primary main “technical” silicon distinction within the A collection because the Pixel 6a, which began the development of utilizing the identical SoCs because the common Pixels.

Not solely that, however a current alleged photograph leak exhibits the Pixel 9a with a totally totally different design than the older A collection Pixels in addition to the Pixel 9 collection. Nevertheless, we’re a bit skeptical about that one, given the Pixel 9’s premium design overhaul.

Nonetheless, it looks as if Google would possibly lastly need the A collection Pixels to be its personal factor as an alternative of barely discounted variations of the flagship Pixels. It will likely be fascinating to see if Google has the identical concept for the remainder of the Pixel 9a’s specs.