What to Expect from Google I/O 2021

Apr. 29, 2021

With the basics out of the way, let’s get to the exciting hardware and software you can expect to be announced at the event:

Android 12 will be one of the key highlights at the event. While Google won’t roll out the finalized build of Android 12 to Pixel phones soon after the event ends, you could expect the first Android 12 beta release. Meanwhile, you can catch up on thebest Android 12 featuresfrom our linked article.

In case you’re out of the loop, Google has already releasedthree developer previews. Going forward, there will be four beta releases in May, June, July, and August, respectively. Android 12 will reach platform stability in August, andyou could expect the stable Android 12 release sometime in September.

Like last year, we could expect Android 12 beta builds from OEM partners for specific devices alongside Pixel phones. Notably, this will be thelast major Android update for Pixel 3 and 3 XL. Here are the Pixel devices that will get Android 12:

Alright, let’s talk about the Pixel 5a. Followingrumors of Pixel 5a’s cancelation, Google stepped up to reveal that thePixel 5a is not canceledand will launch later this year. In addition, the company also revealed we could expect the device launch to be in line with last year’s Pixel 4a unveiling. In case you don’t remember,Pixel 4a launchedin August last year.

On the hardware front, the Pixel 5a 5G is rumored to pack a 6.2-inch Full-HD+ OLED displaywith the same Snapdragon 765 SoCseen on the Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5. With all that said, one area where there’s little to no reason to be excited about is availability. A Google spokesperson has already confirmed that thePixel 5a 5G will be limited to the U.S. and Japan.

So, what about theBIS certification of the alleged Pixel 5awith model number GR0M2 and thatET Telecomreportshedding light on Google’s grand India push? Well, we’re not sure either. The global chip shortage has likely forced Google to hit the pause button on its ambitious plans to widen its presence in the country. If Google skips the Pixel 5a 5G launch in India, that could mean there will be no new budget Pixel phone in India this year. That leaves Pixel fans withPixel 4a that made its way to Indialast October. Clearly, it is not a great time to be a Pixel fan in India, and the situation is far from ideal.C’mon Google, do something.

In terms of specifications, we don’t know a lot about the Pixel Buds A. Judging by the ‘A’ in the branding, it could be a cheaper variant of the Pixel Buds. Further, arecent 9to5Google reportsuggests that the Pixel Buds A may lack gesture inputs for controlling the volume. Hence, do not get your hopes high for the new Pixel Buds A. We will have to wait a little longer for the true successor of Pixel Buds 2.

Rumors aboutGoogle’s in-house SoC codenamed Whitechapelstarted last year. After a year of silence, a9to5Googlereport earlier this monthfurther detailed Google’s plans to use its own chipset, starting with the Pixel 6 5G. Google seems to have teamed up with Samsung Semiconductor’s system large-scale integration (SLSI) division for the much-awaited Whitechapel chipset.

Subin writes about consumer tech, software, and security. He secretly misses the headphone jack while pretending he’s better off with the wireless freedom.