The processor powering the upcoming Pixel 5a (5G) and Pixel 6 might be already here

However, if last year’s release schedule is anything to go by, we should be seeing a new device by Google relatively soon. There’s a leaked render of a supposed Pixel 5a roaming around the internet tech space, thanks to Evan Blass.

Given that the Pixel 4a launched with a different chipset from the rest of Google’s 2020 line-up, we won’t be surprised if the story repeats itself. Qualcomm has plenty of lower mid-range chips to offer.

On the other hand, the processor for the new Pixel 5а (5G) and Pixel 6 has probably arrived. It is called the Snapdragon 780G, and it debuted yesterday with Xiaomi’s Mi 11 Lite (5G). The price of this device is EUR 369. It is probably going to sell for around $400, if it makes it to North America. It offers great value for the price, which makes us wonder, how would Google justify a $700 Pixel 6, which includes the same processor...

Not that this is a bad processor. In fact, quite the opposite - it is the first 5nm and 5G chip for mid-range devices. For comparison, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888 found in all major 2021 Android flagships carries the same architecture, as does Apple’s iPhone 12 line-up.

The chip is expected to perform about 50-60% better than the SD 765G from last year, according to Qualcomm, and early benchmarks. Furthermore, the SD 780G is great news for computational photography - Google’s superpower. It comes with the Spectra 570 image signal processor, which aids features like the infamous Night Mode, HDR, and image-stacking:

It would make a lot of sense, if Google chooses it for the Pixel 5a 5G, since this phone is expected to cost not more than $500. Then again, if the processor makes it to the Pixel 6 (which is highly likely), Google will need to step up their game.

By the time the Pixel 6 is out, phones like Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12 might even go down in price. Not to mention, Samsung’s rumоred Galaxy FE 2021, which might even undercut the Pixel 6 in price, despite bringing a more powerful chipset, flagship features, and a set of three great cameras, just like its predecessor.

Therefore, we would love to see Google stretch the Pixel 6’s capabilities to the maximum. We’d love to see the telephoto camera come back. This way Google’s phone will be much more competitive in the camera department. Other premium features like water-resistance and wireless charging are expected, but we aren’t sure they’ll be enough to pursue people to buy the 6 over another phone.

We don’t have any release dates for the new phones yet, but things are looking up, as T-Mobile’s CEO, Mike Sievert, hinted at “a broad range of premium Pixel devices”, when talking about the carrier’s new long-term partnership with Google. Although… we are not sure how to interpret his words.

First of all, is Google bringing back the Pixel XL (since the range will be getting “broader”, and how “premium” are the phones going to be? Perhaps, they’ve decided to take a step “back” (referring to the Pixel 4’s flagship chip) and use the flagship SD 888 for the new Pixel 6. There’s plenty of time until we find out.

Stay tuned for any new information around Google’s new phones!