Google has released the Android 13 OS upgrade. The Pixel phones are the first devices to receive the latest Android upgrade. The company confirmed that it will also be made available on devices from Asus, HMD Global, iQOO, Motorola, OPPO, Realme, Samsung, Sharp, Tecno, Vivo, and Xiaomi. Some other brands are also planning to release the Android 13 upgrade later this year.

The stable edition of Android 13 is now available for Pixel devices, such as the Pixel 4, Pixel 4XL, Pixel 5, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro. It is also available for Pixel A-series devices, such as the Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5a 5G, and Pixel 6a.

Once upgraded to Android 13, owners of the Pixel 6a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro will not be able to roll back to Android 12. On the official factory images page for Pixel devices, there is no mention of the anti-rollback for other Android 13 eligible Pixel devices.

Android 13 offers a refined experience of the Material You theme. It allows users to customize non-Google apps to match the wallpaper theme and colors of the phone. It allows users to assign specific languages to individual apps.

It features an updated media player that modifies its look and feel based on what’s being played. The Bedtime mode now offers new features such as wallpaper dimming and a dark theme. New apps that are installed on the device will need permission from the user to send notifications. Previously, it allowed newly installed apps to send notifications by default. Android 13 brings support for Spatial Audio on compatible headphones. It carries support for Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio.

Android 13 also allows users to copy content like a URL, image, text, or video and paste it onto other Android devices. To know about other features of Android 13, users can head to Google’s official blog post.

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The post Android 13 OS upgrade arrives for Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 5, 5a, 4, 4XL, 4a, 4a (5G) appeared first on Gizmochina.

If you have been waiting for the stable version of Android 12 to be released, there is still a bit of waiting to do as Google has revealed that it is just a few weeks away. However, owners of the new Pixel 5A 5G can get to experience Android 12 today with the new beta release.

The Pixel 5A launched a few weeks ago, so, unlike its siblings that already received the beta release, Google has just made the beta available for it. Google has also released beta 5 for the other eligible devices. This is the final beta before the official release in a few weeks.

Android 12 is bringing a new visual change to Android, though it appears Google’s own Pixel phones will be the ones to experience the redesign in full. There is now a theming system, a redesigned lock screen and quick settings menu, a new widget system, new animations, new privacy settings to mention a few.

While the update will arrive in a few weeks, we expect only a few non-Pixel devices will receive it on Day 1. However, we should see other manufacturers release a list of devices that will receive the update and when to expect it.

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A teardown of Google’s latest Pixel 5a 5G smartphone has been spotted and it confirms that the device is not easily disassembled and thereby pointing that it will not be an easily reparable smartphone.

The video credited to PBK reviews shows several of the internal elements of the Pixel 5a 5G. The comprehensive examination showed that that the screen could be properly extracted, of course with the right tools and expertise. The screen also has a plastic frame that is surrounded by a strong water–repellent adhesive seal.

A large black graphene film covering becomes visible when the screen is removed, and this is covering the battery of the latest affordable smartphone from Google. Several other protective coverings are observed in various parts of the internals of the smartphone.

The video reveals how the main cameras and battery were removed from the panel with the application of some alcohol solvent. A cursory look at the video shows how it will be pretty difficult to disassemble the device, and it is appropriately rated 5/10 on the reparability scale.

The Google Pixel 5a 5G was launched last week and is already available. It features a 6.34-inch screen, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB internal storage. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G chipset, offers dust and water resistance with its IP67 rating, runs on the Android 11 operating system out of the box, and offers 18W fast charging.

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Google recently launched its latest Pixel series smartphone — Google Pixel 5a. The phone comes as a successor to the Pixel 4a launched last year with an upgraded specs sheet but a bit higher pricing than its processor.

The device is decently powerful, packing in Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G SoC, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of internal storage. Even with such powerful specifications, the phone isn’t able to handle 4K video recording.

As per the latest reports, when recording 4K videos at 60 frames per second, the Google Pixel 5a smartphone gets overheated. While shooting, the phone asks users to close the camera until temperatures return to a more reasonable level.

In a tweet, reviewer TechOdyssey complained that his Pixel 5a took just a few minutes to overheat while recording video at the highest possible settings, before displaying this message on the screen: “Device is too hot. Close Camera until device cools off.”

He also adds that he is also facing the same issue with 4K fps30 and 1080P 30fps. Another Twitter user with handle @LadyRedsTekRvw said that their Pixel 5a did the same thing after about 2 minutes of recording at 4K 60fps.

Apparently, Pixel 5a isn’t the only recent Google smartphone to face this issue and some users are pointing out that the Pixel 5 is also having the same issue, as confirmed by Android Police. So far, Google has not acknowledged the issue and it remains to be seen if and when the company plans to fix this.

The Google Pixel 5a features a 6.34-inch OLED screen with FHD+ resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. It comes with a dual-camera setup on the back consisting of a 12.2-megapixel main shooter and a 16-megapixel ultrawide rear camera. For selfies, there is an 8-megapixel front camera tucked under a punch-hole cutout.

The smartphone runs the Android 11 operating system and is guaranteed three years of OS upgrades and security patch support. It is powered by a 4,680mAh battery and ships with an 18W charger in the box. It is likely to be the last Google smartphone to come with a power adaptor in the retail box for the Pixel smartphones.

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Google has already unveiled its upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones that are slated to launch this fall. The phones could finally be what the users have been asking as a premium Android smartphone and to top it, the company has opted to use its own new Tensor chipset instead of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon SoC.

However, with these major changes, the pricing of these new smartphones is also expected to be significantly higher than the current Pixel series phones. But the company launches a budget smartphone under the Pixel lineup with an “A” suffix and this year’s model is reportedly just days away from going official.

As per the latest report, the Google Pixel 5a is slated to get launched on 26th August and is claimed to be priced around $450. The pricing seems to be in line with many mid-range smartphones with 5G connectivity support that got launched this season. It is said that the phone will be available only through online stores and Google’s physical stores.

Leaks indicate that the Pixel 5a will feature a 6.4-inch Full HD+ display and pack Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 chipset, coupled with 6GB of RAM. The device is said to be powered by a 4,650mAh battery.

The phone will have a 3.5mm headphone jack and will also carry an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. In the camera department, it is expected to have the same camera configuration as the Pixel 5 — a 12.2-megapixel main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide lens.

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The Google Pixel 5a has been in news for a few past months. It was speculated in April that the phone has been canceled, but Google was quick to respond that it will be launching around the same time as the Pixel 4a did last year. The Pixel 4a was made official in August, which indicates that the Pixel 5a may break cover in the same month. A recent by Bloomberg also claimed that the Pixel 5a will be launching in August. Ahead of the expected launch, the Pixel 5a has bagged approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The FCC listing mentions three model numbers as G1F8F, G4S1M, and GR0M2. Among these, two have the same FCC ID, whereas the other one has a different FCC ID. It appears that the U.S. may receive two variants of the phone, one that will be exclusively available through Verizon, and another one that will be sold through other carriers.

The global edition of the Pixel 5a seems to lack support for CDMA. While the FCC mentions three models, it is unclear which model numbers belong to the variants heading to the U.S. and global markets. The FCC has no information on the specifications of the Pixel 5a.

The Pixel 5a CAD renders that appeared a few months back revealed that its appearance is similar to the Pixel 4a 5G. Moreover, it is expected to feature the same Snapdragon 765G, which fueled the predecessor model.

Last year, Google sold Pixel 4a in 4G and 5G versions in different markets. This year, the Pixel 5a is expected to arrive in the 5G version only. It is expected to feature a 6.2-inch OLED display with a punch-hole design. Its rear-facing dual-camera setup may include an ultrawide lens. For security, it may feature a traditional fingerprint sensor on the back panel. It may command a costlier price tag than the Pixel 4a.

(via)

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When the rumor mill claimed that the Google Pixel 5a had been canceled because of the global chip shortage, Google debunked the rumor by saying that it will be debuting around the same time frame as the Pixel 4a. Now, a fresh report by Bloomberg claims that the Pixel 5A will be releasing in August.

The report also claims that the Pixel 5A will be launching and releasing in August. The predecessor Pixel 4a was announced on Aug. 3 and it went on sale on Aug. 20 in multiple markets. Previous reports have claimed that Google will be releasing the Pixel 5a in limited markets such as the U.S. and Japan.

Reports have claimed that the Pixel 5a may not be a major upgrade over the Pixel 4a 5G. It is speculated that the new handset will be fueled by the Snapdragon 765G chipset, which was previously seen on the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 smartphones. The company is unlikely to release a 4G edition of the Pixel 5a.

The CAD renders of the Pixel 5a that appeared earlier this year revealed that it will be sporting a 6.2-inch OLED screen with a punch-hole design. The device is expected to feature a squarish module for its LED flash-assisted dual-camera setup. It is also expected to feature a traditional fingerprint scanner.

In related news, Google is expected to launch the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones in October this year. These phones are rumored to be driven by Google’s custom-made chip that may offer performance similar to Snapdragon 870. The Pixel Watch is also expected to go official alongside the Pixel 6 series.

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Ever since the first renders of the Pixel 6 series surfaced, the interest in Google’s next-gen phones has increased. More details of the phones have now surfaced along with those of other Pixel devices expected to launch this year and there sure is a lot to be excited about.

The source of these details is Max Weinbach of Android Police who revealed them in the latest episode of Mobile Tech Podcast hosted by Myriam Joire. The new info covers the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, the Pixel 5A, and the Pixel Watch.

Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro

According to the source, the Pixel 6 will have an FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate while the Pixel 6 Pro will have a sharper QHD+ display but the same 120Hz refresh rate. The Pro model will have custom high-end cameras; a 5000mAh battery – the biggest in a Pixel phone; support for mmWave; and be available in green and silver+black.

It has also been reported that the custom Whitechapel chipset will be a 5nm chipset manufactured by Samsung and with a flagship performance that puts it in between Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 and Snapdragon 888 chipsets. The chipset will also have custom NPUs (Neural Processing Units) and a custom ISP (Image Signal Processor). The latter will make better use of Google’s machine learning technology.

The new Pixel phones are expected to launch in October but the ongoing chipset scarcity issue might cause Google to push the launch to November.

Pixel 5a

Max Weinbach shared some details of the Pixel 5A too. Google already confirmed that the phone has not been canceled and now it has been revealed that the phone is expected to launch in August. However, the device is likely to cost more than the Pixel 4a. Considering that the phone has the same chipset as the Pixel 4a 5G and even looks a lot like it, an increase in price isn’t good news. Just like the Pixel 3a, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 4a 5G, this too won’t have support for wireless charging.

Pixel Watch

There was also a brief mention of the Pixel Watch which will be the first Pixel-branded smartwatch and should feature the new Wear operating system borne from the merger of Google’s own Wear OS and Samsung’s Tizen OS. According to Max, the smartwatch will be powered by a custom 5nm chipset.

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Google on Friday published a blog post that outlined some of the improvements made in the camera system of the Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G. While the details might have been interesting, the post also contained a photo output from the unreleased Pixel 5a phone, reflecting a powerful camera.

The EXIF data of one of the pictures within the post revealed some details, including the camera used to capture the shot. The data shows the sample came from the unannounced Pixel 5a and the picture was taken on October 1, 2020, in Taiwan. We can’t say if the sample was shared by mistake or intentionally but the Pixel 5a sample seems to have been taken off the blog post.

However, it surely indicates that we are getting closer to the launch of the smartphone even amidst claims in some quarters that the Pixel 5a 5G model was non-existent or may have been canceled outrightly. Google has since dispelled such rumors, confirming that the Pixel 5a is still in the works.

Earlier rumors indicate the Pixel 5a 5G will run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G chipset and will have a few enhanced features. The device will come with a hole-punch selfie snapper. It will also feature a 6.2-inch Hi-Res FHD+ display and will have a similar refresh rate as that of the Pixel 4a 5G. The Snapdragon 765G chipset has 5G functionality and offers a wide array of excellent features for the Pixel 5a, including a much-improved camera module that produced the sample in question.

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(via)

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Apple recently announced that it will host a virtual WWDC starting on June 7. Now, Google has cryptically announced that its I/O 2021 will also be virtual and will start from May 18.

9to5Google was quick to decode the message on the I/O 2021 announcement. In a tweet, Google has shared the teaser and a link that takes us to an event page. Here, we see a set of puzzles with messages hidden inside the punchcards.

On decoding them, we get a message that Google I/O 2021 will be held virtually i.e, online skipping the usual Shoreline Amphitheater place and it will be free for everyone as well. Similarly, Apple has also said that developers don’t need to pay an entrance fee to attend the WWDC 2021 event.

Further, the message also has the event date and according to the report, Google I/O 2021 will be held from May 18 to May 20, 2021. We can expect announcements regarding the Chrome, Google Assitant, and Android 12 Beta.

In 2019, Google used the I/O to announce its first-ever mid-range Pixel 3a/ 3a XL smartphones in May. However, the successor got pushed to October the next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, reports say that the Pixel 5a will be launching on June 11 which, if turns out to be true, will once again skip the launch at the I/O. However, there is a possibility that the ‘Pixel Buds A‘ wireless earbuds could launch at the event but let’s wait for an official confirmation.

Either way, Android and Chrome OS developers should watch out for the event as the company is expected to announce exciting updates regarding its future.

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A few days back, news broke out that Google will double down on its Pixel smartphone strategy in India this year by improving the inventory for the successor of Pixel 4a. Now, a mysterious Google Pixel smartphone has appeared on India’s BIS certification bureau.

An unknown Google smartphone with model number GR0M2 has been certified by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). The certification does not reveal anything about his handset. But there’s a chance that it could be none other than the Pixel 5a.

But unfortunately, we do not have concrete proof to confirm this. Also, the previous-gen Pixel a-series featured completely different model numbers in India. Such as Pixel 3a (G020F), Pixel 3a XL (G020B), and Pixel 4a (G025N).

Anyway, coming back to Pixel 5a, we know how this device will look, thanks to a number of 3D CAD renders by @OnLeaks (Steve Hemmerstoffer). According to the renders, Google’s next affordable smartphone will have a similar design as the Pixel 4a 5G.

The phone is reported to sport a 6.2-inch FHD+ OLED display on the front with a punch-hole at the top left corner. Further, as per renders, it will house a dual-camera setup and a capacitive fingerprint sensor on the back. Lastly, just like its predecessors, this handset will also come with a plastic build, an accented power key, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB Type-C port.

Last but not least, the Pixel 5a could measure 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8mm in dimensions and may launch on June 11 in the US.

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Google has a Pixel series of smartphones and the company is now focusing on offering a good user experience instead of top-of-the-line specifications. The company is now launching two devices in a year.

In line with that, Google is expected to launch the Pixel 6 as well as Pixel 5a this year. While the Pixel series is getting traction, it doesn’t launch the standard model in markets like India and only brings the toned-down models.

Now, a new report claims that Google will be increasing its inventory of Pixel smartphones in the Indian market this year with the launch of Pixel 5a. Last year, the company did the same when it launched the Pixel 4a.

Further, the company is also exploring possibilities of shifting a portion of its manufacturing to India for both domestic demand and export needs. This should help the company bring down the phone’s cost as it won’t have to pay import duties.

Google is not bringing the standard model to the Indian market mainly because it packs 5G support, which is still not available in India. And because of that, the company isn’t expected to launch the upcoming flagship smartphone Pixel 6 in India.

So far, the company has not confirmed when the Google Pixel 5a smartphone will be officially launched but going by the recent leaks and reports, it’s likely that the device will be made official on 11th June. To know for sure, we will have to wait a few more weeks.

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After launching the Pixel 4a last year, Google is now gearing up to launch its successors. While the launch of the Pixel 5a may seem a bit early, it’s noteworthy that the Pixel 4a launch was delayed a couple of times before getting launched in August 2020.

A new report claims that the upcoming Pixel smartphone from Google, the Pixel 5a could be officially launched on 11th June. We expect that this will be the only device getting launched at the event and the Pixel 6 will be launched a bit later.

As for the Pixel 5a design, it is being reported that the punch-hole cutout for the front-facing camera may be smaller compared to its predecessor. It is still expected to be placed in the top-left corner of the screen.

Based on the recent renders leak, it appears that the smartphone may feature a 6.2-inch OLED display and could have support for a higher refresh rate. At this moment, nothing much is known about the phone’s specifications.

Another report sheds light on the upcoming Pixel 6 smartphone. It is revealed that the phone may feature a punch-hole cutout in the top-center position. Further, it states that the device will have support for 4K video shooting using the front-facing snapper.

Apart from these two Pixel series smartphones, Google is also gearing up to launch its wearable device — the next-generation Google Pixel Buds, which are set to get launched next month. However, we are yet to get official confirmation from the company.

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Google is apparently planning on launching a new Pixel device in June 2021. A Tipster made the announcement on Twitter, while new Pixel Buds are also reportedly arriving in April 2021.

Google stuff:

New Pixel Buds coming mid-April.

New Google phone scheduled for June 11, 2021. Not sure exactly which one it is just yet.

pic.twitter.com/vjOzT4M7nx

— Jon Prosser (@jon_prosser) March 5, 2021

According to Jon Prosser, a tech analyst, the search engine giant is planning on launching a new Pixel device on 11th June 2021. While the tipster did not explicitly mention the name of the device launching, it would probably be the Pixel 5a since the company’s flagship series in the second half of the year. Although, the launch period for the Pixel 5a would also be a few months early.

Furthermore, renders of the Pixel 5a had recently surfaced as well. These renders revealed that the upcoming mid range handset from the company might just feature slight design changes. The renders also showcased that the device will also feature a 6.2 inch OLED panel, which may support a high refresh rate. Meanwhile, the tipster also added that the company will also be launching a new Pixel Buds truly wireless earphones in mid April.

Similarly, Jon had also previously hinted at Google working on a foldable Pixel device. But just like that report, this is still an unconfirmed report so take it with a pinch of salt. So stay tuned for more, as we will be providing updates when additional information is available.

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Just like the Pixel 4 before it and the Pixel 3, the Pixel 5 will also be getting a more affordable variant which will launch as the Pixel 5a (no 5G). The renders show that the phone shares a striking resemblance to the Pixel 4a 5G.

The renders were posted on Voice by Steve Hemmerstoffer who is best known by the moniker OneLeaks. The leaker has given us not only our first look at Google’s next budget Pixel phone but also some details.

The Pixel 5a is shown as having a flat display with a punch hole at the top left corner for a camera. On the back, it has a squircle-shaped camera module with two sensors and an LED flash. There is also a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner on the device.

Google will keep the audio jack on the Pixel 5a and the image above shows it will reside at the top. The bottom of the phone is home to the USB-C port which is flanked on each side by a slit. On the right-hand side is a textured power button that is painted white and below it is a volume rocker.

The Pixel 5a is said to have a 6.2-inch FHD+ OLED display just like the Pixel 4a 5G but there is no mention of it having a high refresh rate. The back of the phone is said to be made of plastic which isn’t surprising considering it will be Google’s most affordable phone this year.

The renders show the phone in black but we hope Google releases it in more colors. The Pixel 4a was announced in Just Black and Barely Blue while its 5G variant is sold in only one color – Just Black. The Pixel 5’s dimensions are given as 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm (9.4mm when you add the camera bump).

A lot of the specs of the upcoming phone are unknown but we can expect a bigger battery capacity, a more powerful processor, and better cameras than the Pixel 4a released last year.

There is no news of a release date too but more details should surface in the coming weeks.

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The post Renders provide a first look at the Pixel 5a and it looks a lot like the Pixel 4a 5G appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google ventured into the mid-range segment with the Pixel 3a and 3a XL in 2019. Later, it continued the lineup with the Pixel 4a in 2020. Although the launch was delayed too much, the device is here and is a good deal at $349. While we already have seen reports about the next iteration, supposedly Pixel 5a, a purported Pixel XE has now appeared online.

The reason we are talking about the mid-range segment here is due to one of the images showing the device’s CPU frequency. Besides, before we question the genuineness, let’s look at them first. As reported by TechRadar, the leaks show a punch-hole display, NFC, and  CPU of the alleged Pixel XE.

The first one on slashleaks shows four images. As you can see below, an image shows that the device has a centered punch-hole display. It has the name “Google Pixel XE” as displayed in the Settings->About Phone. If you recall, the recently launched Pixel 4a eliminated the notch and began the punch-hole trend in the Pixel lineup.

1 of 4

Later, Google followed it with Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 with punch-hole displays. It must be noted that all these devices have a punch-hole at the top left, unlike this leak. Moving on, another image also shows NFC, Bluetooth support options inside the ‘connected devices’ page.

Additionally, the device seems to have a Dual-SIM card support one of which could be an e-SIM. To top it off, one of the leaks, as spotted by Tom’s hardware shows the CPU frequency on the device to be 1.8GHz and running Android 11. Now, this could either mean one of the new mid-rangers of Qualcomm processors, or as Alex Dobbie of Android Central says, a prototype of the already tested Pixels.

The uncertainty of the CPU debug screenshot, and the fact that one can edit the names in settings makes them a bit questionable. Also, if Pixel were to be seriously working on a device, it’s codename should have leaked by now. For instance, we saw a report after Pixel 4a’s launch that a successor Pixel 5a with codename Barbette in the works.

Nevertheless, these are very early claims and hence, let’s wait for some concrete leaks to know about their existence.

UP NEXT: Google Pixel 5 durability test found metal under layers of plastic

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Google unveiled the Pixel 4a smartphone this Monday and is expected to launch the Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5 in October. The two phones are scheduled to release in the market by fall. Apart from these two pones, the search engine giant is unlikely to launch any new Pixel smartphones this year. 9to5Google that has accessed an internal Android document has revealed the names of some of the Pixel devices arriving next year.

The internal document lists the Android builds for existing Pixel phones right from the Pixel 2 that wen official back in 2017. The document also has information on unreleased Pixel devices. It has revealed that the search engine giant is now working on Android builds for three devices such as Pixel 5a, a foldable Pixel phone, and two first-party devices.

While the Pixel 5a is codenamed as “Barbette,” the codenames of the other three devices are “Raven,” “Oriole,” and “Passport.” The document further mentions that these names may differ from their codenames that will appear in AOSP. As it is known, Google Pixel devices are codenamed after different fishes.

Editor’s Pick: Top Google Pixel 4A alternatives

The publication has speculated that the “Raven” and “Oriole” devices could be Pixel 6 series handsets and the “Passport” device could be the first Pixel-branded foldable smartphone. The “Q4 2021” label for these devices suggests that they are slated to go official in the last quarter of 2021.

As far as the Pixel 5a is concerned, its moniker is explicitly mentioned in the document and it is likely to debut in “Q2 2021.” The name was also previously spotted in AOSP earlier this month. The device is described as a “lower end mid year device” which indicates that it will be succeeding the Pixel 4a.

The publication stated that the main purpose of this document is for Android development. It does not reflect the exact plans of the hardware team of the company as it contains some codenames such as the canceled Pixel 2 XL codenamed as “Muskie.”  Hence, there is a possibility that not all the unreleased devices mentioned in the list could reach the production stage

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Google finally revealed to launch the Pixel 4a on August 4. But ahead of it, his handset’s successor, Pixel 5a has been spotted on AOSP alongside Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. Further, the comment that exposed these upcoming smartphones also confirmed the end of Android platform update for Pixel 2 series with the release of Android 11.

The Pixel 4a can be termed as the most leaked smartphone of 2020. We know almost everything about this handset except for its price. The device is finally scheduled to go official coming Mondy after months of delay.

As a matter of fact, Google withheld the launch of Pixel 4a too long that the company has already begun to work on its successor – Pixel 5a (via 9to5Google). Anyway, this phone will be mostly launching next year or maybe even get cancelled.

Apart from this phone, the internet search giant is also readying Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5, which are expected to debut this fall. The developer comment on AOSP mentions them to release with Android 11 out of the box. Same goes for the Pixel 5a.

Lastly, Google is in the process of dropping Android update support for Pixel 2/2 XL, which launched with Android Oreo and will be receiving its last update – Android 11 very soon.

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Qualcomm‘s latest Snapdragon 865 chipset is already powering some flagship models in the market. One thing to note about the models that have so far been released with the Snapdragon 865 chipset is their hefty price tags. Apart from the Redmi K30 Pro which was announced recently with a sub-$500 starting price in China, several others like the Mi 10, iQOO 3, Black Shark phone and several others are priced expensively in some cases going beyond $1000 like the Galaxy S20 series and Sony Xperia 1 II.

Most of the OEMs, like Xiaomi which is known for its affordable flagship, cited skyrocketing components prices for the high retail prices. The Snapdragon 865 chipset is one of such expensive components. It is more expensive than previous years’ models, partly due to the improvements in the 5G band and others. However, while most OEMs have transmitted the high cost to the end-users, there are reports that Google and LG are both unwilling to use the chipset on their 2020 flagships. Both OEMs are said to have opted for a cheaper chip instead.

On its part, Google is expected to launch the Pixel 5 series which include the Pixel 5, Pixel 5 XL and Pixel 5a this year. A report by XDA Developers in January had revealed that the Pixel 5 series won’t use a Snapdragon 865 chipset but are equipped with a Snapdragon 765G premium mid-range SoC as seen on the Android repository.

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Also, a report by Korean website Naver says that LG is looking to adopt an approach similar to Google’s on the LG G9 ThiQ. The G9 ThinQ will reportedly be powered by a Snapdragon 765G chipset instead of the Snapdragon 865. Recall that this is the same thing HMD global id with the Nokia 8.3 5G which was launched with a Snapdragon 765G chipset. There is also the ZTE Axon 11 5G packing the same Soc. A Vivo model with a Snapdragon 765 SoC had also appeared on GeekBench earlier on.

The Snapdragon 765G is the first Qualcomm modem that is integrated with a 5G. The Snapdragon 865 SoC still has to be bunded with a separate Snapdragon X55 5G modem. Qualcomm is said to have made it compulsory for OEM to integrate the SD865 with the X55 modem. This explains the absence of a 4G version but then, 4G phones won’t fly in the era of 5G. However, this has led to a more delicate motherboard design as well as bigger battery and screen size, thus driving production cost upwards.

In terms of the configuration, the Snapdragon 765G isn’t as fast as the flagship SD 865. It features two Cortex-A76 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores. While the Snapdragon 865 uses four A77 cores and four A55 cores. However, the difference shouldn’t be too noticeable with the right software optimisation in place, something Google can handle.

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(source)

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