Google could finally release the Pixel 5a in August

The rumor mill began churning for the Pixel 5a all the way back in February. In April, Jon Prosser reported that the Pixel 5a was actually being canceled altogether due to the ongoing global chip shortage issues. Google quickly refuted that claim, not only confirming that the Pixel 5a was real and was still going to be released, but also sharing that it would be coming to the US and Japan.

Since then, we’ve been expecting Google to drop the hammer and introduce its latest Pixel device. Unfortunately, we’re still twiddling our thumbs awaiting the arrival of a device that has already been confirmed. Some rumors pointed to a launch at Google I/O, while others pointed to a June or July release. Now, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg is reporting that the Pixel 5a won’t be unveiled until August.

Google Pixel fans, this summer is for you. Expect the Pixel 5a, the company’s next-generation, lower-cost handset, to be announced and released in August. 

Mark Gurman, Bloomberg 

The timing of this seems a bit weird. Google is shrinking the availability of its next device by only bringing it to two markets. Granted, these are two rather large markets, but still. Then, there’s the whole Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro charade that we’re expecting in the Fall. Android 12 is slated to launch in September, and that’s when we would expect to see the Pixel 6 introduced. Even if the Pixel 6 lineup isn’t actually available for purchase until say, October, that’s still only two months between device launches.

It’s possible that last year really through Google off when it came to device launches, as we saw the Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, and Pixel 5 all released pretty close to one another. That had everything to do with the global pandemic, as it was expected for Google to launch at least the Pixel 4a at Google I/O, before pushing it until later in the year.

Unfortunately, Gurman didn’t have anything else to say in regards to the Pixel 5a. So we still aren’t sure as to whether this will come via a press release, or if it will be part of a larger event. All we can do now is keep waiting around for Google to actually make its announcement.