Google Pixel 5a 5G set for the same Snapdragon 765G SoC found in the Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G

Google is working on at least two or three new smartphones for launch this year including the Pixel 5a 5G. Although Google has now confirmed that the device will launch (albeit likely limited to just a handful of markets), we didn’t know what its chipset would be until now. The folks at 9to5Google have dug into the code of the Android 12 Developer Preview 3 to uncover that the Pixel 5a 5G will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G.

They found a number of references to the codename for the Pixel 5a 5G which is known internally at Google as ‘Barbet’ attached to the model number SM7250 which is the Snapdragon 765G. This is of course the same mid-range SoC that is currently found not only in the flagship Pixel 5 and the mid-range Pixel 4a 5G. While it is still a good chipset, it is unusual to see Google release a new smartphone with the same chipset found in the previous equivalent model.

There could be at least a couple of reasons behind Google’s decision. There is a global chip shortage at the moment that could have limited Google’s options. Google might also continue to believe that the performance of the Snapdragon 765G is sufficiently good enough for the Pixel 5a 5G in the section of the market it is competing in. One would hope, however, that in sticking with the Snapdragon 765G for the Pixel 5a 5G, Google is able to sharpen the pricing on this model when it launches later this year.

Buy the Pixel 4a 5G unlocked in white from Amazon.