Google has confirmed that it’ll release a budget version of the Pixel 5 later this year for users who don’t require the full performance of its current flagship and/or refuse to pay its $699 asking price. The clarification comes on the heels of a rumor that began spreading earlier this week, which claimed that the Pixel 5a 5G model had been canceled due to global chip shortages. Similar to last year’s Pixel 4a, Google’s new low-cost smartphone is expected to release in or around the month of August.
Renders for the “Pixel 5a” emerged in February to show a design that’s near identical to the Pixel 4a 5G. It’s said to be slightly taller and thicker, but just a hair narrower. The only other difference is a ridged power button, but otherwise there’s still a hole-punch camera in the top-left corner, rear dual-lens array, and 6.2-inch display with a thicker bottom bezel. The Pixel 5a 5G will likely retain the same main cameras and presumably still use a Qualcomm processor, with Whitechapel reserved for this year’s flagship. While very similar to the 4a 5G, a cheap Pixel with a large screen and the latest cellular technology should be popular.