Pre-orders are now up for the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL

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Google is making some changes in its smartphone hardware business. Unlike the past few devices it launched where the focus was on the premium market, Google is bringing back its mid-range line with the launch of the Pixel 3a and 3a XL.

Unlike its past devices, too, these are available for pre-order now through the Google Store in 12 other countries outside of the US—Canada included. So, if you want to get Google’s newest smartphones, you can do so now. The Pixel 3a is priced at $549 CAD, while the Pixel 3a XL goes for $649. In the coming weeks, these will be available for pre-order through carriers like Rogers, Bell, Telus, Fido, Virgin Mobile, and Koodo. They will also be available through Best Buy, Costco, T-Booth Wireless, Wireless Wave, Walmart, and WoW Mobile.

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Google Pixel 3a’s design gets leaked

Google is expected to launch the Pixel 3a and 3a XL on May 7. While the company won’t confirm the news just yet, Evan Blass (@evleaks) showed off a leaked render of the Pixel 3a. The design doesn’t seem to stray too far from Google’s past designs for the Pixel line. While you don’t get a notch, you do get sizable bezels. The render also shows a rear fingerprint reader and a single rear camera.

The phone is rumoured to be getting a display with a 2,160 x 1,080 resolution, Snapdragon 670 processor, 4GB of RAM, and the same Pixel Visual Core system seen in the existing Pixel 3 devices. Price is rumoured to be around the US$400-$500 range.

Source: Engadget

‘Something big’ is coming to the Google Pixel universe

Dovetailing with the first day of the Google I/O conference, the company will be holding an event on May 7th that will introduce “something big” into the Google Pixel universe. The associated video clip shows a promo for Avengers: Endgame-themed augmented reality stickers, but as Engadget points out, there should be more than that.  

Rumour has it that Google might launch Pixel 3a phones. The rumoured Pixel 3a reportedly has a 5.6-inch display with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 12-megapixel rear camera with the same Pixel Visual Core found in the high-end Pixel 3. There’s also supposedly a Pixel 3a XL that would push the screen to a 6-inch display and runs on a Snapdragon 710 processor. The goal supposedly for these new phones is to bring the essentials of the Pixel back down to a more affordable price.