Google I/O 2024: Pixel 8a and everything else we may see

Google I/O 2024 is just around the corner, and it should reveal a sliver of what’s to come for the Android ecosystem, both in terms of software and hardware.

This particular event is typically mostly about developer-related news and advancements. This guide, though, is all about consumer-focused things we expect Google to announce.

Google I/O 2024: Important information

• What is Google I/O? Google I/O is the search giant’s yearly developer conference. It’s where developers get updated on the latest technology to improve their apps and other services for the Google ecosystem. It’s also one of the main events for new Google announcements.
• When is Google I/O 2024? This year, Google I/O will take place on May 14, 2024. It will be broadcast live with a small audience in attendance.
• Where will Google I/O 2024 held? Google invited select members of the media and the development community for in-person attendance at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California. For the general public, the event will be available for viewing online on the official Google I/O website and Google’s YouTube channel.

What will we see at Google I/O 2024?

Google hasn’t released a definitive list of what it will announce at Google I/O 2024, but here’s what we expect to see based on previous years and rumors:

• Android 15
• Pixel 8a
• Google Pixel Fold 2
• More AI features
• Wear OS 5 incoming
• Google TV and Android TV update
• Other things

Android 15

We’ve already had a taste of what’s to come with Android 15 via the second developer preview, but you should expect to see even more at Google I/O 2024. That said, according to the Android 15 release timeline, we should already be well into beta testing at that point, so there shouldn’t be any complete surprises.

So far, the most interesting changes are satellite connectivity, partial screen-sharing options, and some minor changes to the way notifications work. There’s plenty more in there, so check out our full guide to learn more. And you can even test it yourself if you’re feeling adventurous.

Google Pixel 8a

Google announced the Pixel 7a at last year’s Google I/O, and if the latest rumors are correct, you can expect to see a follow-up at Google I/O 2024. The appearance of an FCC listing in mid-March also indicates that release is imminent. And we’ve already seen plenty of renders leaked, as well as real-life images.

Check out our Pixel 8a rumor hub for the latest, but the short list of upgrades includes a Tensor G3 SoC, a new 120hz display, and a slightly improved main camera sensor. We expect it to have the same $499 price tag as its predecessor, although nothing has been confirmed yet.

Elsewhere, the Pixel 8a should be very similar to the Pixel 7a, so you can expect a nice mid-range phone that mostly sticks the landing. Last year, Google skipped the pre-order period and made the Pixel 7a available immediately after the keynote, so we may see a surprise drop on May 14.

Google Pixel Fold 2

The original Pixel Fold was leaked to death before it was first shown off at Google I/O 2023, and we’ve already seen a few leaks of the Pixel Fold 2. Currently, those leaks point to a slightly later release date to match the Pixel 9 launch around October, but that doesn’t mean the device won’t be officially shown off for the first time at Google I/O 2024.

There are still plenty of question marks around the Pixel Fold 2, but an engineering sample indicates the device will have a significantly different look. The front display is slimmer, making the internal display more similar to competitors like the Galaxy Fold 5. The camera bar on the back also looks very different, with two lines of lenses tucked into a corner rather than a horizontal bar.

Unlike the Pixel Fold, which launched with a year-old chip, the Pixel Fold 2 is expected to pack the latest chipset from Google, the Tensor G4. This will be the same chipset found on the Pixel 9 series, which is why we don’t expect the device to see a full launch at Google I/O in May.

Given that Google runs a pretty leaky ship when it comes to hardware, we should learn even more about the Pixel Fold 2 in the coming months. Stay tuned for more soon.

More AI features

On the software side, we expect Google to announce even more AI features to pair with its existing and future Pixel devices. The company has announced a new AI feature just about every week so far this year, but the rollout has been confusing and often shortsighted. Hopefully, things are presented more clearly on the big stage at Google I/O.

Google is clearly all-in on its Gemini AI, with the expectation that it will fully replace Google Assistant (and a number of other features) in the coming months. Google I/O might be the place where the companies lays out exactly how that transition will work, especially for existing Google Assistant-based home devices.

Other AI features are likely to hit the Google Pixel 8 lineup, so if you’re a current user, stay tuned to see what new tasks your phone will soon be able to handle. Gemini also powers Samsung’s Galaxy AI, and there are rumors that it will be the basis for generative AI features on iOS. Still, it’s more likely that these companies will announce new features for their own devices at their own events, most significantly Apple’s WWDC developer conference in June.

Wear OS 5 incoming

Google has given us some bits of information through its scheduled Google I/O sessions. After doing some digging, we discovered one of them made mention of Wear OS 5. The session will cover new features and enhancements, such as “advances in the Watch Face Format, and how to design and build for the increasing range of device sizes.”

Watch Face Format is expected to improve watch faces, making them more dynamic and efficient. Some rumors also suggest the Pixel Watch 3 might come in different sizes, which may be why Google is also pushing developers to improve designs in different-sized watches.

We don’t know much else about the wearable platform’s next big upgrade, but here’s our Wear OS 5 wishlist if you want to geek out with us.

Google TV and Android TV update

Here’s some extra information we were able to pull from a Google I/O session page. This one is all about Google TV and Android TV, and the search giant used some interesting wording that leads us to believe some new things are coming. The page refers to “new user experience enhancements in Google TV and the latest additions to the next Android TV OS platform update.”

We are unsure what could be coming, but we know Google TV and Android TV will be getting some love at I/O.

Other things

While those are the biggest announcements we expect, here are a few more things Google could show off at Google I/O 2024:

• No Pixel Tablet 2, yet: We don’t expect to see a full rollout of the Pixel Tablet 2, but getting a first look may be a possibility. The company previewed the first Pixel Tablet a full year before it was finally released, but that was a first-generation device, so things may be different this time around.
• Pixel Watch 3 teaser: This one might be wishful thinking, but considering Wear OS 5 will be a main topic at Google I/O, Google could also give us a sneak peek of what’s to come with its Pixel Watch 3 wearable. Don’t expect too much, though, since previous editions have launched at the company’s fall hardware event.
• Popular Google products: Google always uses I/O to announce new tricks for its most popular products. Expect at least a few announcements for Google Maps, Google Home, and others, probably with help from new AI smarts.
• VR and AR: Apple’s Vision Pro hasn’t exactly revolutionized the market, but it has edged the product category slightly closer to the mainstream. There aren’t any indications of a major VR or AR device on the way from Google, but the opportunity is certainly there to make some kind of announcement or teaser.