CAD renders of Google’s upcoming mid-range smartphone, the Pixel 11a, have leaked onto the internet. Courtesy of Android Headlines and OnLeaks, we have images of what might be the final design of the handset, complete with a new purple-red colorway. Externally, the device looks nearly identical to its Pixel 10a predecessor, save for a slightly squatter camera module.

At a rumored 6.04 x 2.85 x 0.35 inches (153.46 x 72.35 x 9mm), the Pixel 11a could be ever-so-slightly shorter than the Pixel 10a, though it’s reported to retain the same 6.3-inch display size. For reference, the Pixel 10a features dimensions of 6.06 x 2.87 x 0.35 inches (153.9 x 73 x 9mm). Aside from the new colorway, black, silver, and green hues are expected to be on the table.

Externally, then, the Pixel 11a is shaping up to be a rather iterative update on the whole. Most of the substantive changes expected here are internal, instead, with the Tensor G6 processor, a Titan M3 security chip, and a MediaTek modem rumored to be making their way into the phone. This would match the Pixel 11 spec-for-spec, while being a major upgrade over the Tensor G4, Titan M2, and Samsung Modem used in the Pixel 10a.

RAM is expected to remain at 8GB, which makes sense given the skyrocketing memory chip prices in recent months. Curiously, Android Headlines reports that the Pixel 11a could feature a display with a peak brightness of 3,350 nits, which is higher than the 3,000 nits found on both the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 11. Storage configurations, charging speeds, and exact camera specifications are all still up in the air at this time.

Pixel 11a pricing is still up in the air

The mid-range handset could be subject to a price hike

Based on precedent, the Pixel 11a could be announced in February or March 2027, with a release date of spring 2027. The handset’s launch price is still very much undetermined, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see a year-over-year price hike when compared to its immediate predecessor. The Pixel 10a’s MSRP of $500 for 128GB of storage and $600 for 256GB of storage could be bumped up by $100 across the board, or we could simply see the discontinuation of the lower 128GB SKU in its entirety.

Considering the ongoing price volatility of certain technological components within the industry, there’s a good chance that Google itself has yet to land on a final price point for the Pixel 11a. After all, the device isn’t set to arrive on store shelves for another few months at the earliest. It would be unfortunate to see the company up the price on its next-generation mid-ranger, but, at $600, the device would still be a compelling purchase.

I’ve been a big fan of the a series Pixel phones for several years at this point, and the Pixel 11a is shaping up to be a small-yet-appreciable upgrade with its Tensor G6 chipset and its more performant modem. I personally love the (relatively) compact size of the handset line, and I can’t get enough of the flush camera module of last year’s Pixel 10a. The Pixel 11a certainly won’t be a powerhouse when it launches early next year, but that won’t stop it from being a compelling option that benefits from Google’s slick software experience and its various AI-powered innovations.