Google could be making two new mid-range Pixel phones for 2020

Back in December, Google’s alleged Pixel 4a mid-range smartphone surfaced in leaked renders. The leak was closely followed by another report which claimed that Google will not launch an XL variant of the phone, like it did with the Pixel 3a last year. However, new evidence found by XDA Developers suggests there might indeed be two new mid-range Pixel phones in the works for 2020.

Alleged code names for three unlaunched Pixel phones were uncovered by XDA. Google usually assigns fish-related names as code names for its phones. For instance, Pixel 3 was Blueline, Pixel 3XL was Crosshatch, and Pixel 4 was Flame.

Related: Will Google undermine the Pixel 4a to make the Pixel 4 look better?

After digging through the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), latest Pixel 4 firmware, and several Google apps, XDA found three new device code names. These include: Sunfish, Redfin, and Bramble. The publication further dug into these code names to find evidence of at least two new mid-range Pixel phones. Here’s what they found.

Sunfish

XDA reports that the name Sunfish was found in an AOSP repository. It is stated to be based on the sm7150 platform, which is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 730 chipset. We’ve previously seen upper mid-range devices like the realme X2, Redmi K30, and the recent Galaxy A71 house the same SoC. References of Sunfish were also spotted in the Google app alongside other Pixel phones. Hence, XDA believes this is likely an actual device and could be the Pixel 4a we previously saw in the leaked renders.

Redfin

The Redfin code name also possibly refers to a real device. It is based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765 5G chipset. The SoC is meant for upper mid-range devices and aims to lower the price point of 5G-enabled phones. It seems that Redfin is being made by an Original Device Manufacturer (ODM), in this case, FIH Mobile. The company is a subsidiary of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn), the world’s largest electronics manufacturer. Evidence suggests it’s being developed with Android 10 on board.

Bramble

Like Redfin, references of Bramble also suggest it’s based on the Snapdragon 765 platform. However, unlike Redfin, XDA found no evidence that Bramble is an ODM device. Hence, Bramble could just be a development board instead of a real phone. Although, it also seems to be in development with Android 10 and Android 11.

XDA makes sense of the three code names in this way. They believe that Sunfish and Redfin could be two actual mid-range Pixel phones. Sunfish could be the Pixel 4a and Redfin could be the Pixel 4a XL. The evidence also corroborates an older 9to5Google report which states that the Pixel 4a XL does exist. Google is unlikely to launch a third mid-range phone, so the third code name Bramble might not refer to an actual phone.

All in all, hope is certainly renewed for two new Pixel mid-rangers; one running Snapdragon 730 and the other with the 5G-enabled Snapdragon 765. However, we can never be sure until more concrete information comes along. If it does, we’ll be sure to report it right here on Android Authority.