It was a surprise to most of us that Google gave us all a heads up about the upcoming Pixel 4a and Pixel 5. Normally we are making inferences from rumours and leaks but this time Google has just said here it is. It seems that the French Google Blog went a bit further and has revealed dates for the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5.
Even without 5G in the name and without Google providing any actual details of the devices we were already assuming that the Pixel 5 was 5G. On the Australian Google Store with both the Pixel 4a and Pixel 5 mentioned under the banner of 5G phones.
The French Google Blog has gone one step further, not just confirming the 5G but also providing the pre-order date for the upcoming devices. Now these do not mean that the pre-order dates for Australia will be the same but we doubt if different, they won’t be all that much different.
As you can see in the accompanying screenshots — the Internet never forgets — right after announcing the availability date of the Pixel 4a they mention that the 5G version of it and the Pixel 5 will be available for pre-order from October 8.
Then in the next paragraph they say that both are “equipped with 5G” and that they will be available in “Germany, Australia, Canada, United States, France, Ireland, Japan, United Kingdom and Taiwan.”
While the dates for availability here in Australia may be different it is good to have its approximate date confirmed — along with its 5G ability (although we do use most of the same 5G bands that Europe do). Given that many Australians see no need for 5G (well, don’t see the point in paying a premium price for it) the 5G nature of the devices is not all that much of a selling point here.
With the Pixel 4a already impressing reviewers we cannot wait to check out the Pixel 5 and possibly the Pixel 4a (5G). We are hearing rumours that the 5G version of the 4a will be a bigger device so it will not be all the same. Keep an eye out as more details surface in the coming weeks.
Are you paying more for 5G? Would you ever?
I agree about the 5G part, it’s not as important as some might think since you’ll be paying through the nose for a compatible plan at least for the foreseeable future. The thing is though, these 5G variants will have faster SoC’s so this is the biggest benefit in waiting a bit and paying a little more for me and not the 5G aspect of the 4a 5G and 5.
Saying all that, the 4a is an amazing device for $599 and it’ll serve most people just fine for years to come.
Cheers
I’d consider getting the 5 if there’s no non-5g option, though no idea if you could turn off the 5g and save some battery life? I don’t really have a need for blistering speeds.
I’m guessing it’ll be inside Settings > Network and internet > Mobile network > Preferred network type > 3G|4G|5G, like with 4G currently.