Google only launched the Pixel 11 series a little over a month ago, but we’re already getting an early look at its cheaper siblings. New CAD renderings show the upcoming Pixel 11a from almost every angle, and if you were hoping for a dramatic redesign, you’ll want to temper those expectations.
Android Headlines has now shared what it says are official CAD renderings of the Pixel 11a, and Google doesn’t seem to be shaking up this generation too much. At first glance, you’d probably have a hard time telling it apart from the last few A-series Pixels. Look a little closer, though, and there are some minor changes. The camera section on the back has been reshaped into a wider, more compact cutout, while the front still has noticeably thicker bezels around the screen. The overall footprint doesn’t change much either. At around 153.46 x 72.35 x 9mm, the Pixel 11a should be a touch shorter than the Pixel 10a and 9a, while feeling familiar in the hand for the most part. Where Google might have a little more fun is with the colors. Black, silver, green, and purple options are reportedly on the way, and judging by this rendering, purple might just be the one everyone’s talking about.
The bigger changes could be hiding inside
The Pixel 11a might not look dramatically different, but what’s inside could make this a much more interesting upgrade. The phone is expected to jump on the Google Tensor G6 chip, bringing the more affordable Pixel in line with the flagship Pixel 11 family. More importantly, it’s also expected to use Google’s newer MediaTek modem instead of the Samsung modems found in older Pixels.
This could make a meaningful difference in everyday use. Better connectivity and modem efficiency can reduce the power a phone burns while hunting for a signal, potentially improving battery life. Google is also keeping the 6.3-inch 1080p display, while giving it another brightness bump. High Brightness Mode could rise from 2,000 nits on the Pixel 10a to 2,250 nits, while peak brightness is expected to rise from 3,000 to 3,350 nits.
Some things don’t change, and that’s probably a good thing
The battery capacity reportedly remains at 5,100mAh, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering how well recent Pixel A-series phones have done in this department. Paired with the 1080p screen and potentially more efficient hardware, the Pixel 11a could once again be a strong battery performer. The cameras can also be familiar. Google is expected to keep the Pixel 10a’s 48MP main camera and 13MP ultrawide instead of introducing new sensors. The Pixel 11a is expected to ship with Android 17 and could receive the same seven years of software support as the rest of the Pixel 11 family.
Android Headlines points to another spring launch for the Pixel 11a, potentially in February or March. The bigger question, however, is how much it will cost. There’s no confirmed price yet, but after Google raised prices across the Pixel 11 lineup by $100 this year, it’s possible the Pixel 11a will follow the same path. If that happens, Google’s affordable Pixel could end up being $100 more expensive than its predecessor — a pretty significant jump for a phone that’s supposed to be the cheaper entry into the Pixel family.