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New Google Pixel 4a leak reveals two 5G models, but a 4G base

By Daniel Petrov

Updated: Feb 10, 2020, 4:56 AM

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New Google Pixel 4a leak reveals two 5G models, but a 4G base

UPDATED: The code warriors over at XDA-Devs have manged to confirm that the basic Google Pixel 4a, aka "Starfish," will indeed sport a Snapdragon 730 chipset, so the only 5G hopes for the upcoming Google midrangers can be placed on the other codenames, likely the Pixel 4a XL. Originial story follows:

Google just announced its I/O conference that will take place on May 12-14, and, if last year is any indication, will see the announcement and release of the Pixel 4a and eventual 4a XL models, or whatever the team from Mountain View decides to name them in 2020.

The phones already leaked out nebulously as fish names in code strings, again as customary for the company, but when the new Google Camera app version 7.3 was parsed by XDA, we can now be fairly certain that "sunfish," "redfin," and "bramble" are indeed referring to Pixel 4a models.

Why? Well, because it now says so right on the tin. Buried inside the code, next to the model code name mentions is now the string "pixel_20_mid_range," to make detective work easier on the inquiring minds.

Even better, the chipsets that will power Google's 2020 generation of affordable Pixels were re-iterated as well. "Sunfish" is built around the lowly "sm7150" platform, or Snapdragon 730, and thus we'd wager to guess that it refers to a Pixel 4a model without 5G connectivity.

"Redfin" and "bramble," however, will be based on the new Snapdragon 765 midrange chipset that has Qualcomm's first built-in 5G modem, so we may be looking at a Pixel 4a version with 5G connectivity, or at Pixel 4a XL models that will only come with 5G antennas.

In any case, last year the Pixel 3a leaked profusely before launch time, and we already have the CAD_based renders of the 4a, so it's a matter of time before the whole specs sheet confirms or denies any musings about which model will get 5G versions.

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.