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Google has allegedly canceled the Pixel 5a (Update: Nope, rumor is wrong!)
- According to two sources speaking with Android Central, the Google Pixel 5a was rumored to be canceled. However, the rumor was then debunked by Google.
- The alleged reasoning behind the original cancelation rumor was the ongoing global chip shortage.
- The Pixel 5a will support 5G connections and land in at least two countries: The United States and Japan.
Update, April 9, 2021 (01:22 PM ET): Not long after publishing the article below, Google issued us a statement on the matter. Here is what a Google spokesperson had to say:
Pixel 5a 5G is not cancelled. It will be available later this year in the U.S. and Japan and announced in line with when last year’s a-series phone was introduced.
Not only does this confirm that there will, in fact, be a Pixel 5a, but it also confirms that it will support 5G connections. Stay tuned for more info!
Original article, April 9, 2021 (12:43 PM ET): Over the past few months, we’ve seen a few rumors leak out related to Google’s next expected budget phone, the Pixel 5a. We’ve even seen renders of the phone from reliable leaker @onleaks (see above). However, a new report from Android Central suggests that the phone might not make it to launch.
According to the report, two sources confirmed with AC that Google has canceled the Pixel 5a entirely. The reasoning behind the alleged cancelation is the ongoing global chip shortage, which would make perfect sense. The shortage has already prevented Samsung from launching the next iteration of its Galaxy Note phones.
With no Pixel 5a, the 2020 “a” phones from Google would likely remain in production throughout 2021. This would be a big change from what Google did with the Pixel 3a, which it discontinued around the launch of the Pixel 4a.
We expected the Google Pixel 5a to land in May at Google I/O 2021, which the company confirmed earlier this week. However, it appears that might not happen.
We reached out to Google to get confirmation on this, but have yet to hear back. We will update this article should Google issue a statement.