First, the low-cost Google Pixel 4a was supposed to launch on May 22 after the Google I / O 2020 event. But then that event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Then Google was going to have an event with Android 11 on June 3, where the Pixel 4a could have appeared, but civil unrest caused it to be canceled as well.
We recently learned that the Google Pixel 4a could be unveiled on July 13, but the phone wouldn’t hit stores until August 6. Then in mid-June, we heard that the Pixel 4a launch was delayed once again, this time being rejected back to October. What the hell is going on?
The Google Pixel 4a has the potential to be one of the best cheap phones of the year. But as its release date is increasingly delayed, Google is making it easier for competitors to rush in and steal its thunder.
The latest rumor, courtesy of Jon Prosser, says that the Pixel 4a will still be announced on July 13, but that the black model will launch on October 22 and the blue model has been “removed,” which could mean it was canceled. .
A challenging retail environment
It’s understandable why Google continues to delay the Pixel 4a release date. Many retail stores are not yet open, and a recent spike in COVID-19 cases has caused Apple to close stores it had reopened. Meanwhile, Microsoft has decided to close its retail stores entirely.
So right now it doesn’t seem like the ideal time to launch a phone. The Google Pixel 3a is currently sold on Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile, so I’m sure Google would like to reopen those stores before launching the Pixel 4a. Furthermore, with the way the coronavirus continues to spread, there is no guarantee that we will see shopping malls or retail stores in the United States opening their doors to the masses for fall.
Pixel 4a is a great phone (but not for later)
In terms of the phone itself, the Pixel 4a appears to be a solid Android phone. The phone is said to feature a 5.8-inch OLED display, a Snapdragon 730 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage (although there could be a 64GB variant).
The Pixel 4a should also include a 12.2MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. And the first leaked Pixel 4a camera samples show that this camera should be able to produce flagship-level results at a much cheaper price.
There is more good news. In May we learned that the Pixel 4a can cost only $ 349, which would be $ 50 less than its predecessor.
Intensifying cheap phone competition
The problem for Google is that the competition does not stand still. The iPhone SE 2020 is already on the market, offering a Bionic A13 chip along with a great camera, and OnePlus is working on a low-cost OnePlus Nord that should offer great specs at a low price, including a 6.4-inch OLED display. and a Snapdragon 765G processor. That means the OnePlus phone will offer 5G connectivity, something the Pixel 4a is expected to lack.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s affordable Galaxy A series phones are also starting to look good. Right now you can buy a Galaxy A51 for $ 399 or as low as $ 274 for sale with a 6.5-inch screen, a decent Exynos 9611 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, plus a four-lens camera. And it is rumored that this fall Samsung will launch a Samsung Galaxy S20 Lite (also known as the Fan Edition), although we have not seen a rumored price.
If you care about battery life, the Moto G Power is another great value as it delivers over 16 epic hours of endurance in our web browsing test. Anything that is older than 11 hours lands on our best list of phone battery life.
Google Pixel 4a perspective
It won’t be as affordable as the Pixel 4a, but a rumor says the iPhone 12 will start at just $ 549 when Apple announces its lineup in September. That would be for a 4G-only version of the device, but it could steal Google’s focus because it would certainly be cheap for Apple.
The bottom line is as follows. The economy and especially the retail environment could be on shaky ground well into October. So if the Pixel 4a is ready to ship, as reported, there’s no reason for Google to feel much beyond the July 13 announcement date. You should find ways to promote the phone online in collaboration with your online retail and operating partners like Amazon.
Time is ticking in 2020, and Google can’t afford to delay the Pixel 4a much longer.
