Google Discontinues Pixel 3a & 3a XL With No Mid-Range Replacement Yet
Google has now officially discontinued the Pixel 3a and 3a XL, leaving a current mid-range gap in its smartphone lineup. While there have been rumors of a Pixel 4a smartphone en route, there’s currently still no word on when, or even if, the Pixel 3a successor will launch. Until then, consumers interested in a mid-range smartphone will have to look elsewhere.
Compared to other phone brands, Google is still relatively new to the market with its premium Pixel line currently on its fourth-generation. However, last year Google introduced the Pixel 3a and 3a XL as mid-range alternatives, offering consumers a Pixel phone experience, but at a much more affordable cost. For example, the Pixel 3a line arrived with Google’s version of Android, as well as a heightened camera experience, and with the price starting as low as $399 in the US.
In a statement given to Android Police, Google has confirmed that the Pixel 3a and 3a XL have now been discontinued. The Google Store appears to have already sold through its inventory and while the device remains on sale through third-parties, this is a ‘while supplies last’ situation. Google does not plan on making any more stock available and once the devices have sold out everywhere, that will be it for the Pixel 3a and 3a XL.
There's been plenty of Pixel 4a rumors and speculation over the last few months, and to the point where, if correct, a lot of what the Pixel 3a successor has to offer is already known. However, one of the main unknowns that remains, is when the new mid-range Pixel smartphone will be announced and go on general sale. For context, the Pixel 3a and 3a XL were announced during the company’s Google I/O event in May of 2019. As a result, there had been some expectations that this year’s I/O event might be where Google announced the follow up. Then again, with COVID-19 tempering most events and conferences, as well as slowing down production in general, any firm announcement on the Pixel 4a by Google has yet to come through.
Even if the Pixel 4a does launch soon, there are no particular suggestions that, like the previous version, there will be two models available. Instead, Google increasingly looks likely to only offer one Pixel ‘a’ smartphone, the standard Pixel 4a. While a new model will still offer consumers a cheaper alternative to the expensive premium Pixel phones, only selling the standard model would effectively rule out anyone who wants a larger mid-range Google Pixel phone.
Source: Android Police