It’s no secret that Google’s smartphones are more prone to leaks than any other manufacturer. Over the past few years, we’ve seen the company try to beat back leakers through early disclosures and even marketing campaigns, but to no avail. This week, after relative silence, the floodgates of all of Google’s upcoming smartphones opened, giving us tons of new information about the Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, and even this fall’s Pixel 8 lineup. The only question left is what – if any – you’re going to pick up.
Let’s start with all things Pixel Fold, because I think this round of rumors might be the most exciting of the bunch. After months and months of hearing about Google’s entry into the folding market, this week we learned the most likely release window for the device: June, following the announcement at Google I/O. Even better, of course, were the pricing rumors that followed later this week, potentially establishing the Pixel Fold as a cheaper alternative to Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5 later this year. While the $1,300-$1,500 range doesn’t cement it as a “budget device,” it’s still a move in the right direction.
This week’s Pixel 7a rumors followed a similar path: an official reveal at I/O, followed by a June release window that pegged prices somewhere between $450 and $500. We also saw two units leaked in the wild – one in an early hands-on demonstration of the device from every conceivable angle, the other in an eBay listing when one prototype went up for sale. The latter was quickly shut down by Google, but together we have a pretty good idea of what the Pixel 7 is shaping up to be.
But the fun didn’t stop there. We also got our first look at a render of the Pixel 8 Pro, revealing a big surprise for a phone that otherwise looks like a fairly iterative update: a flat screen. Google has finally listened to the calls on social media, forums and this website and has apparently done away with the curved screens of the previous Pro series devices. The Pixel 8 was also leaked, better highlighting the rounded corners of both phones.
It’s hard to believe we learned all this in just one week, but with Google I/O less than two months away, I don’t expect the leaks to slow down anytime soon. After all, we’ve yet to see the Fold in person, aside from a possible train sighting posted on Reddit. Meanwhile, the Pixel Tablet — which Google announced at its Pixel 7 event last fall — remains without a release date even as we approach April.
Still, this week felt like a turning point for Google’s 2023 lineup, giving us the clearest look yet at the company’s future plans. So I’m curious: which device excites you the most? Is the Pixel 7a the cheaper Pixel 7 you’ve been waiting for? Does the Fold’s pricing make it a must-have foldable? Or are you content to wait for Google’s next flagship series this fall? Feel free to expand on your thoughts in the comments – it’s been a busy news week and I’m curious what everyone thought of it all.