Google rumored to be skipping the XL version of the Pixel 4a
A change in strategy?
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Here’s a blow for fans of large, reasonably priced phones:Googleis rumored to be skipping the bigger version of its mid-range handset in 2020, and will be launching thePixel 4awithout an XL model.
This unconfirmed news comes from YouTuberDave Lee, who doesn’t have much of a track record when it comes to phone leaks, but is a well-respected tech vlogger with millions of subscribers to his name.
The thinking is that the Pixel 3a XL might have taken too many sales away from the Pixel 3 XL in Google’s eyes, and it doesn’t want the same to happen to the Pixel 4 XL that was launched in October alongside the Pixel 4.
Whatever the reasoning, it’ll mean those who want the extra screen space are going to have to dig deeper into their pockets and buy the premium Pixel in 2020, rather than the mid-range offering.
Pixel perfect
Most of the Pixel 4a leaks we’ve seen so far – includingunofficial renders– have focused on a smaller handset, which does lend some extra credence to the rumor that we won’t be seeing a bigger version.
The Pixel 4a is expected to have a 5.7-inch or 5.8-inch screen and a less-than-top-end processor, but apart from that we don’t know too much about what to expect.
It was May 2019 – atGoogle IO 2019in fact – that the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL appeared, so the same sort of timing in 2020 would make sense. We might hear more about Android 11 at the same time.
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Further down the line, if Google sticks to the schedule of the last few years, we should get news of aPixel 5sometime in October.
ViaAndroid Police
Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you’ll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.
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