what you need to know
- Poetic sent us four so-called Google Pixel 8a cases, including rugged and non-rugged case models.
- The case shape matches the leak, showing the phone to be slightly smaller with rounded corners.
- One of the cases has a MagSafe ring on the back, which means Google may not be incorporating Qi2 wireless charging into its new phone.
We’ve been seeing leaks for months now, and now we’ve got our hands on the first Google Pixel 8a cases from Poetic. These cases give us a proper look at what the Pixel 8a should look like if Google launches the new budget phone at Google I/O 2024 next month, as we expect.
While these two rugged case models are great for people who need a little extra protection, I’m particularly interested in what’s revealed about the other two case models. The edges of the Poetic Neon Pixel 8a case are noticeably more rounded than those of the Google Pixel 7a. As I pointed out in my Pixel 8 Pro review, the rounded corners make the phone easier to hold with one hand.
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If the corners of the Pixel 8a were more rounded, it would make the phone feel slightly smaller. In fact, the Poetic Neon case suggests that the Pixel 8a may be slightly smaller than the Pixel 7a, as I couldn’t fit the Pixel 7a into Poetic’s Pixel 8a case.
Poetic’s case design seems to closely match some of the leaked Pixel 8a designs. Many times, phone case manufacturers have access to “dummy” phone models before the phone is released, allowing them to design the case based on early designs. Therefore, it’s always possible that the final phone design may differ from what’s offered here.
Regardless, we hope Google doesn’t abandon the camera bar design on this phone like it did on the Pixel 9 and Pixel Fold 2.
Finally, the MagSafe ring on the Poetic Guardian MagSafe Pixel 8a case tells me that the new Qi2 wireless charging standard isn’t ready for prime time just yet. Or, at the very least, Google might not be willing to invest any additional R&D dollars into a budget phone.
Android Central has reached out to Google about Poetic’s Pixel 8a case, but the company didn’t get back to us in time for publication. We will update this article once we have more information.
The Pixel 8a is rumored to retail for around $500, but its price is rumored to be slightly higher than the Pixel 7a. Thankfully, the best Pixel 7a deals are hundreds of dollars cheaper than the rumored Pixel 8a.
Google is said to be releasing a new phone soon, which means the Pixel 7a will be cheap in stock. Save on one of the best phones of 2023 and keep your smile on your face for years to come with Pixel updates.