The Google Pixel 7a has yet to be officially announced by the tech giant, but it has already made its way onto the online US marketplace, Swappa. Several sellers have listed the mid-range smartphone for sale, claiming to have it in-hand, along with hints about its specs and color options.
The Pixel 7a is reportedly set for an upcoming release, potentially with a pair of own-brand Buds as a gift, but those eager to get their hands on the device before its official launch can take their chances on a less official channel.
The rumored final addition to the Pixel 7 series has not been listed on Amazon, like its predecessor, the 6a, but instead on Swappa. Four different highly-rated sellers have posted a total of eight listings for the same new smartphone.
All of the listings describe the devices as being in either "new" or "mint" condition, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The phone comes in Snow (white), Sea (blue), or Charcoal (gray) colorways.
Some of the devices are reportedly still sealed in their original packaging, while others have been opened, revealing that Google plans to ship the device (with its rumored resemblance to a 7) with a charging cable and a USB Type-C adapter, and nothing more.
None of the sellers specify how they came by their units ahead of any official pre-orders, although some hint that some may be review units. In any case, their asking prices of US$469-499 may or may not be an indicator of the Pixel 7a's actual launch-day price.
The Pixel 7a is expected to feature a 6.2-inch OLED display with a 1080 x 2400 resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone is also rumored to come equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor and a 4,000mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.
Additionally, the Pixel 7a is said to have a dual-camera setup, featuring a 12.2MP primary camera and a 16MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The phone will also reportedly feature a 5G modem, making it compatible with the latest high-speed mobile networks.
Google has yet to confirm the Pixel 7a's launch date, but many are expecting it to be announced at the company's upcoming I/O developer conference, which is scheduled to take place from May 18-20.
It's not uncommon for smartphones to leak ahead of their official launch, but it's rare for them to be available for sale before they are even announced. However, this is not the first time that the Pixel line has leaked ahead of its official launch.
In 2019, an early version of the Pixel 4 was spotted in the wild months before its official launch. In that case, Google responded by teasing the device on Twitter, seemingly confirming the leak.
It remains to be seen whether Google will respond to the Pixel 7a leaks in a similar manner, but it's worth noting that the company has been known to be tight-lipped about its upcoming products, so it's possible that we won't hear anything until the official announcement.
In the meantime, those eager to get their hands on the Pixel 7a will have to decide whether to take their chances on Swappa or wait for the official launch. Either way, it's clear that the Pixel 7a is generating a lot of interest ahead of its official release.
