A Look at google Pixel 11a: The latest rumours for Google’s next mid-ranger
Google Pixel 11a: In summary
- Google’s mid-range phone for 2027
- Expect a springtime launch
- A price increase is almost guaranteed
- Could be using the Tensor G6 chip
- New purple colourway
- A newer selfie camera and brighter screen might be on the cards
In 2026, the ongoing RAM crisis is definitely having an effect on mid-range phones as manufacturers are less enthusiastic about introducing big upgrades in an attempt to avoid bumping up the cost of devices for consumers. Still, even with this context, Google continues to put out some of the easiest mid-range phones to recommend, and we’re hoping to see that trend continue with the Pixel 11a.
If you’ve already taken a look at our Pixel 10a review and the many discussions we’ve had about the phone since launch, it’s no secret that we were rather disappointed with the device as a whole. Don’t get us wrong, it’s a solid phone in its own right, but as a successor to the brilliant Pixel 9a, it just doesn’t do enough to justify its existence.
Our time spent testing the Pixel 10a is exactly why we currently recommend the 9a instead as one of the best mid-range phones currently available, especially as it’s been given a price cut.
Now that the flagship-level Pixel 11 phones have hit the scene, our attention is now turning towards Google’s next-generation mid-range phone, and if there’s some truth to the early rumours that are coming out, this could end up being the big upgrade we’ve been waiting for.
When is the Pixel 11a coming out?
In summary
- Springtime 2027 launch expected
- The phone could be made available just a few weeks later
It’ll be quite a while yet before we see the Pixel 11a on store shelves, but if the phone follows the launch pattern of its predecessors, then we could end up seeing it unveiled during spring 2027.
February seems like the most likely month, going by the Pixel 10a announcement.
For context, here are the launch dates for previous phones in the Pixel A-series:
- Pixel 10a – February 2026
- Pixel 9a – April 2025
- Pixel 8a – May 2024
- Pixel 7a – May 2023
How much will the Pixel 11a cost?
In summary
- A price rise is possible
- Could be the first time the A-series breaks the 500 mark
Here’s the kicker that could end up seeing the Pixel 11a diverting from a long-established norm with Google’s mid-range phones. For the last three generations, we’ve seen Google’s A-series phones launch with a starting price of £499/$499.
The Pixel 10a was able to avoid a price increase, no doubt as a result of re-using the previous-generation Tensor G4 chipset, but we’re not so certain that Google can do the same thing in 2027.
The company has already had to increase its prices for the mainline Pixel 11 phones, with all models being more expensive than the Pixel 10 range, and if recent reports about the state of the industry are anything to go by, this could only worsen in 2027.
Google won’t want to lose the A-series’ mid-range status, but given that Apple recently brought the price of the competing iPhone 17e up by £100/$100, we’d be surprised if Google didn’t do something similar, meaning that the Pixel 11a could start around £599/$599. Of course, this is purely speculation at this stage, but we’ll update this section once we have more information to go on.
Here are the prices of previous Pixel A-series phones:
- Pixel 10a – £499/$499
- Pixel 9a – £499/$499
- Pixel 8a – £499/$499
- Pixel 7a – £449/$499
What specs and features will the Pixel 11a have?
In summary
- Newer Tensor G6 chipser
- A brighter display than before
- An upgraded selfie camera
- All-new purple colourway
A new hero colourway
Thanks to a new leak showing off supposed official renders of the phone, we’re no longer in the dark about what the Pixel 11a is going to look like. As expected, the phone is not an overhaul of the existing Pixel 10a as it features the same flush camera bar which doesn’t protrude from the main body of the phone.
The only major design difference we can spot is that the camera module isn’t quite as wide as before, but otherwise the two phones are identical at a glance. What’s intended to separate the phones are the new colourways.
Credit: Android Headlines, OnLeaks
The big addition is a purple, almost plum-like colourway which is unlike anything we’ve seen from the other phones in the Pixel 11 range, the majority of which have led with green-shaded colours.
While we don’t yet know the official name of this new colour, it’s practically guaranteed that the Obsidian (black) option will be making a comeback as it’s a staple of Pixel line-ups.
The renders have also revealed the Pixel 11a’s dimensions, which are set at roughly 153.46 x 72.35 x 9mm, which is just a fraction shorter than the last two Pixel A-series phones.
Source: Mystic Leaks | Android Headlines (same sources for below sections)
No more compromise on the chipset
One of the biggest letdowns with the Pixel 10a was that it used the exact same chipset found within the previous-gen Pixel 9a, meaning that overall performance between the two phones was practically identical.
On the outside, it appears that this was a cost-cutting technique to help retain the existing price tag for the 10a, but if rumours are true, Google will not be adopting the same policy for the Pixel 11a.
Chris Martin / Foundy
All signs now point towards the Pixel 11a using the same Tensor G6 chip as the rest of the Pixel 11 phones, effectively giving us a two-generation jump in performance over the Pixel 10a.
Given how much Google is pushing new AI features like Gemini Intelligence, which can carry out certain tasks on your behalf, all of this could make the Pixel 11a one of the best-equipped phones for AI features.
Aside from improved everyday performance, the Tensor G6 also uses a newer MediaTek modem which is crucial for allowing the current Pixel 11 phones to have better signal capabilities. If this carries over to the Pixel 11a then users should find it a bit easier to make calls and connect to the web.
An upgraded front camera
Take this one with a pinch of salt as there’s very little information to go with this particular leak, but word has it that the Pixel 11a could be due for an upgrade to its selfie camera, something which, as far as we’re concerned, is long overdue.
Chris Martin / Foundy
The last time we saw any type of improvement in this area was when the Pixel 7a moved over to using a 13Mp front-facing f/2.2 selfie camera, but that lens has more or less stayed the same ever since.
To give it some credit, the Pixel 10a can take decent selfies thanks to Google’s computational processing, but it would be nice to have a bit more detail to go with it. Maybe a bump to 18Mp to match the iPhone 17 would be a nice touch.
Unfortunately, it seems as though this will be the only camera upgrade onboard the Pixel 11a as all of the rear-facing snappers are expected to remain the same. With that in mind, if you were thinking about upgrading purely on the hope of seeing better camera performance then you’ll be better off saving your money and going with the Pixel 10a, or a previous-gen Pixel flagship that’s since been reduced.
An even brighter screen than before
Of the few upgrades that the Pixel 10a brought to the table, one of them was a brighter display that could reach a peak of 3000 nits. Well, Google might be looking to double down on this aspect of the phone yet again, upping that ceiling to an even brighter 3350 nits.
Chris Martin / Foundy
We’ll have to wait and see if this particular rumour rings true, but having a brighter display to hand is always welcome as it just makes any phone that bit easier to use when outdoors.
That’s all we know about the Pixel 11a so far, but we’ll be keeping this article updated with any developments until the official launch.
