Google CEO drops huge hint about Pixel 6a announcement at Google IO
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 mid-May. 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 | [May 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 May would be the perfect time to give the 6a breathing room before the Pixel 7 debuts later this year.
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