Google confirms Pixel 8a existence by revealing a feature that will launch with that device

Google may have accidentally dropped an important clue about its upcoming Pixel 8a smartphone. In responding to a bug report submitted by a user on its issue tracker, Google confirmed the Pixel 8aand revealed a feature that will be unique to this phone and those launched in the future.

Pixel users enrolled in the Android 14 QPR beta program have noticed in QPR1 Beta 1 a nifty new addition to the “About phone” section in their phone's Settings menu. This new section, called “Battery Information,” provided improved battery statistics, such as charge cycles and battery manufacturing date. However, the feature disappeared in the latest Pixel update of March 2024.

New “Battery Info” page in Pixel phone settings | Credit: 9to5Google

Thinking it was a bug, beta testers quickly submitted bug reports through the Android Beta Feedback app, citing the disappearance of the recently rolled out battery health feature. However, as 9to5Google REMARK, Google responded to this bug report by emphasizing that this disappearance is deliberate.

According to Google, the new battery stats were never intended for the currently released Pixel models. Instead, they are designed exclusively for the Pixel 8a and future Pixel phones. The exact answer is: “We only activate this page on Pixel 8a and beyond, it is therefore WAI (Working as Intended).”

There is of course a lot to unpack. First, we should address the issue at hand, which is that a feature was given and then removed. This caused outrage among Pixel users on this bug tracking page. They claim this is a complete lack of transparency on Google's part and a deliberate attempt to force users to unnecessarily upgrade to newer phones to benefit from basic features.

Aside from the controversy, this news also marks the first acknowledgment from Google that the Pixel 8a exists, a highly anticipated mid-range addition to the Pixel lineup. THE Pixel 8a It is rumored to launch in the coming months, possibly in line with Google I/O in May. It also suggests that Google plans to expand on basic battery statistics, potentially introducing more detailed battery health information on upcoming phones.