FCC confirms no 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, or Soli radar functionality for the Google Pixel 4a; could Google be plotting the Pixel 5a instead?

The FCC has published documentation for a new Google smartphone, the G025J. Given the timing of the publication, then it would seem that the G025J is the upcoming Pixel 4a. The G205J would be the US model, but the FCC filings also mention the G025N and G025M.

There are a few other tidbits that can be gleaned from the FCC documentation too. Firstly, the FCC label will not be present on the back of the device, with Google opting for an e-label instead. This is a minor detail, but it should give the Pixel 4a a cleaner look. Secondly, the FCC has not certified the device for any radio frequencies that are consistent with the 5G spectrum. So, the Pixel 4a will be a 4G smartphone, but this was expected. Thirdly, the documentation makes no mention of any frequency tests that would denote the presence of the Soli radar chip. Again, the Pixel 4a was not rumoured to include any radar technology, but the FCC has effectively ruled out any chance of that happening. Finally, the device will not support the new Wi-Fi 6 standard. Instead, the FCC has confirmed that the device will support up to 802.11 ac Wi-Fi.

Google is thought to be announcing the Pixel 4a on July 13. While the company is yet to confirm this, its short-term confidentiality agreement with the FCC expires on September 21, 2020. Hence, the Pixel 4a should arrive before then. However, Mishaal Rahman posits that Google could release the device as the Pixel 5a instead alongside the Pixel 5 series.

Whatever Google ends up calling the G025J, then the device is expected to be based on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 SoC, 6 GB of RAM and a 5.8-inch OLED panel. French retailers have seemingly confirmed that the device will be offered in two colours and with up to 128 GB of storage too.