This is the Google Pixel 4a: Punch-hole display, headphone jack, and a single camera

Google’s most successful Pixel to date is getting a sequel in 2020, and today we’re getting a first look.

Leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer (known online as OnLeaks) and 91Mobiles just published renders showing the Google Pixel 4a, expected sometime in the next few months.

As with other leaks from Hemmerstoffer, these images are renders built from CAD schematics of the device. Hemmerstoffer has an impressive track record, having published dozens of accurate leaks of high-profile devices over the past few years. That said, there’s always a chance that some details of the renders turn out to be inaccurate, so take them with the usual grain of salt.

So what’s interesting about these first Google Pixel 4a renders?

For one, the Pixel 4a will feature a punch-hole selfie camera in the upper left corner of the screen. That’s a first for Pixel devices – the Pixel 4 and 4 XL feature large top bezels, while the previous generation came with a sizeable notch.

Next, it appears that the Pixel 4a does not feature the Pixel 4’s Soli radar sensors – the top notch seems much narrower than on the Pixel 4, leaving no room for the necessary sensors.

The Pixel 4a features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, further suggesting that the phone will lack a 3D facial scanner. The loss of Soli should come as no surprise considering the gesture control system is disabled in some countries, including India, due to spectrum utilization restrictions.

Another interesting feature is the headphone jack on the top – like the Pixel 3a before it, the Pixel 4a will retain this increasingly rare functionality.

The Pixel 4a’s design is very similar to the Pixel 4, down to the shape of the camera module. However, the camera houses only one lens, which is pretty surprising, even for a device from Google. You can get amazing pictures with just one camera – the Pixel 3a is living proof – but dual- and triple-camera setups are so common that you’d be hard pressed to find a device with a single camera. Google continues to march to its own drum, for better or worse.

According to 91Mobiles’ report, the Pixel 4a’s screen will be 5.7-inch or 5.8-inch across. Thanks to the smaller bezels, the phone is said to be actually more compact than the Pixel 3a, at 144.2 x 69.5 x 8.2mm.

Also read: 5 additions and tweaks we’d like to see from Google Pixel 4a

These are all the details included in the report, but we can make some educated guesses about the Pixel 4a (and 4a XL). Judging from the specifications of the Pixel 3a, the 4a will be a solid, if not impressive performer. The camera will be similar to the Pixel 4’s, offering the same software features including ASTROphotography. Hopefully, the battery will be beefier than the 3,000mAh unit found on this year’s model. As for the price, we don’t foresee any major changes – the Pixel 3a and 3a XL cost $399 and $479 respectively, and their successors are likely to be offered around the same price. Google could release the Pixel 4a a bit earlier than last year, though we can’t rule out another Google I/O launch. In the latter case, the Pixel 4a could be launched in mid-May 2020.

Likely Google Pixel 4a specs and features

• Leaked so far:
  • 5.7-inch or 5.8-inch display
  • punch-hole selfie camera
  • 144.2 x 69.5 x 8.2mm (9mm including camera bump)
  • headphone jack
  • USB Type-C
  • fingerprint scanner (rear mounted)
  • single camera
•  Our guesses
  • Plastic body
  • 1080 x 2160 resolution, OLED, Asahi Dragontrail glass
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 765
  • 4GB of RAM
  • 64GB of storage
  • 12.2MP main camera, 8MP selfie camera
  • 3,000-3,200mAh

What do you think of these renders?