The dust has settled since the release of the Pixel 9 Now that our Pixel 9 review and Pixel 9 Pro review have been published, it's naturally time to start speculating about Google's next big thing According to leaked images of the device, which is apparently a dummy, it could mean the Pixel 9a

The leak posted on X by ShrimpApplePro (which the tipster discovered via a now-deleted Facebook post in a private group) makes the Pixel 9a quite different from the expensive phone that was just released, for an affordable phone suggesting that there are some significant design changes that could be seen Of course, since the source of the leak is sketchy, this could be a complete fake Nevertheless, there is reason to believe that the Pixel 9a is in the planning stages, as the company typically releases a lower-priced version after a significant phone release

While we take the leaked images with a grain of salt, it will be interesting to see what is different design-wise; the most notable change compared to the Pixel 9 series is the complete lack of camera rubber on the purported Pixel 9a phone Google's recent phones have offered relatively chunky camera housings, which is one of the phone's more recognizable design elements

The company's removal of the camera rubber would make the 9a stand out from more expensive models, but I don't think Google wants it to stand out that way; part of the appeal of a phone like the Pixel 8a is that it looks and feels like the more expensive version, and the camera quality is excellent Changing the design to make a Pixel 9a could undermine that philosophy

Besides the flattened camera bar, two lenses and an LED flash next to them are visible We can also see that the boxy aesthetics of the Pixel 9 series are still present

Leeker suggests that the phone will launch “later this year” and will be available in four colors, with one being a “silver” option

Again, everything in this leak should be taken with a grain of salt, as the deleted Facebook post in a private Facebook group of Vietnamese Pixel fans is not the most reliable source Still, if it is accurate, it would be an interesting design change from Google