The code names of Google"s upcoming Pixel 4a series have been spotted in AOSP by XDA Developers which point to the company working on three different mid-range Pixel phones. While a previous rumor claimed that Google won"t release a Pixel 4a XL this year, it looks like that won"t be the case.
Google has a habit of internally naming its Pixel smartphones based on fish and the Pixel 4a lineup also follows the pattern with "redfin," "sunfish," and "bramble" names.
Interestingly, the "redfin" and "bramble" devices are being developed on Qualcomm"s Snapdragon 765 platform which features 5G connectivity. So far, there has been no word on the mid-range Pixel smartphones offering 5G but its addition could be a game-changer for the lineup. The "redfin" device is being developed by Foxconn"s subsidiary FIH Mobile with Android 10 onboard while "bramble" has been spotted in development with Android 10 as well as Android 11.
There is a possibility of these two devices just being reference boards being used for development purposes, though this is something that only time will tell. This is because the addition of 5G could push the prices of the Pixel 4a up which would end up making the whole point of the series moot.
Lastly, the "sunfish" device is being developed on Qualcomm"s Snapdragon 730 chipset platform which does not support 5G. This chip is found on plenty of premium mid-range devices released in 2019 including the likes of the Redmi K20, Realme X2, and others.
While not mentioned, it is possible that Google is working on both 5G and non-5G variants of the Pixel 4a. The company could launch the 4G variant of the handset in markets where 5G is not yet available. The Pixel 4a has already leaked in renders showing off its punch-hole display, headphone jack, and a camera hump similar to the Pixel 4. The device will also miss out on Project Soli-based Motion Gestures to keep its price in check.