Google CEO drops huge hint about Pixel 6a announcement at Google IO

Date:
Wed, 27 Apr 2022 08:49:59 +0000

Description:
According to Google, the Pixel 6 series has sold like gangbusters, making the Pixel 6a much more likely.

FULL STORY ======================================================================

The Google Pixel 6a isn't a sure thing by any means - although Google hasn't missed an A-series phone since 2019, the Pixel 5a only got a limited
roll-out, making it sound like the company wasn't sure about its spin-off affordable handsets.

However, for people hoping for the new device there's some great news: it turns out the Google Pixel 6 series has sold incredibly well, and the 6a
could come soon.

In an Alphabet earnings call (a transcript of which can be read at Motley
Fool ), CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed "[the Pixel 6 is] the fastest-selling Pixel ever [...] I'm excited about the products we have coming and look forward to sharing more at Google I/O".

There are two big things to unpack there: firstly, while Pichai doesn't name-drop the Pixel 6a at all, it seems likely one is coming. If the Pixel 6 has sold like gangbusters, it seems likely that an affordable spin-off would come along too.

Secondly, it sounds like Google has hardware to show off at the annual tech showcase Google IO in early June. The event is typically for software - we're expecting to see Android 13 shown off this year - but we sometimes see hardware too, and the Pixel 3a and Pixel Buds A-Series debuted at the event
in past years.

The word 'products' would seem ill-suited to software, as you don't 'buy' new versions of Android - that makes it seem very likely that Pichai is teasing the Pixel 6a. Analysis: early is good

Google hasn't proven very reliable when it comes to launch dates for its smartphones - just look at this calendar of the last few years: Series Main series announcement A-series announcement Pixel 3 Oct 2018 May 2019 Pixel 4 Oct 2019 Aug 2020 (Sep 2020 for 5G) Pixel 5 Sep 2020 Aug 2021 Pixel 6 Oct
2021 [June 2022?]

Sure, there are some patterns for each series - but there's never been a consistent amount of time between the main-series phone and its A
counterpart.

While it doesn't sound like that will change with the Google Pixel 6a, maybe that's a good thing - clearly, people are keen to buy the Pixel 6 series, but with the cheapest option still being pretty pricey, a budget counterpart
could go down a treat.

Sure, Google might tease the 6a now but launch it later, and might actually just save Google IO for headphones or the much-rumored Pixel Watch . But June would be the perfect time to give the 6a breathing room before the Pixel 7 debuts later this year. Pixel Watch leak suggests Google is going in a drastically different direction to Apple



======================================================================
Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/google-ceo-drops-huge-hint-about-pixel-6a-annou ncement-at-google-io/


--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64)
* Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100)