Google Pixel 4a camera revealed before phone is announced

Upcoming budget Android smartphone will have the same sensors as those found in its flagship, but launch may be delayed by coronavirus pandemic

Google’s upcoming budget smartphone the Pixel 4a – the sequel to the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 3a – has had more details leak before its expected launch later this month.

A collaboration between Cuban YouTube channel TecnoLike Plus and XDA Developers reveals that the budget Android smartphone will have a 12.2MP f/1.73 main camera and an 8MP f/2.0 selfie camera.

The phone will only have a single rear camera rather than the three-lens array on Google's flagship. But the sensor, made by Sony, is the same main sensor found on the on the Pixel 3, 3a, and 4. The selfie-camera, meanwhile, has the same sensor as that on the Pixel 3 and 3a.

The Pixel 4a will have portrait mode capabilities – which change the depth of field for a blurred background when photographing people – and HDR support.

Google is also bringing its astrophotography features to the device for better pictures of starry skies, and dual exposure control which should give users more dexterity with the colours in their photos.

While the character of the camera is unlikely to change, it's worth noting that the version reviewed before release will probably not be the one Google finally puts out. It's likely the search giant will have fine-tuned and tweaked some elements before its available to buy.

Google’s camera technology is not the only new, rumoured, information about its upcoming phone. It’s expected that the budget device will have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 chipset, 6GB of processing power with 64GB of storage (approximately 16,000 songs) and a 3080mAh battery. It’s also likely that the phone will keep its 3.5mm headphone jack, much like the Pixel 3a.

Rumours suggest that the phone will come with a 5.8-inch OLED display and a full-HD+ (2340 x 1080) resolution. There will likely be a small holepunch notch in the top left of the device for the front-facing camera, but that means the phone will probably not have the Project Soli hand-gesture technology or facial-recognition found on the Pixel 4.

It is expected that the device will be launched on Friday 22 May, priced at $399, although it could be delayed by the coronavirus outbreak. Google has already cancelled its I/O conference which was due to be held in May over concerns about spreading COVID-19.