Google Pixel 7a could support up to 90Hz refresh rate, new leak suggests

The Pixel 7a was recently spotted in a new leak that includes a brief video that shows someone holding an alleged unit of the unannounced device. And it appears that a significant screen upgrade is in the works.

A 49-second video, which first appeared on Slashleaks (via 9To5Google), was captured by someone using a secondary device. The person taking the video shows various pages in the Settings app and briefly shows some of the display options. The alleged Pixel 7a unit uses Vietnamese as the default language, which is not surprising since Google has been manufacturing A-series phones in Vietnam.

An option can be seen at around the 16-second mark of the video that, according to Google Translator, references the Smooth Display feature that was first introduced in the Pixel 4 series. An explanation of the feature indicates it will work in the same way as it says Smooth Display would allow Pixel 7a to automatically aim for higher refresh rates — between 60Hz to 90Hz — for some content.

While the Smooth Display functionality has been around for a few years, Google has so far reserved the 90Hz refresh rate for the regular model of the flagship Pixel phone series. And Pixel 7a would be the company’s first A-series phone with this capability.

There are several mid-range phones with 90Hz displays already available in markets where Google A-series phones are sold, like the OnePlus N200, which launched in the U.S. last year. So this upgrade could help Pixel 7a generate more interest among consumers. But it remains to be seen if this signals an improvement in the Pixel 8’s refresh rate or if it would remain the same as the Pixel 7’s 90Hz capacity.

Meanwhile, 9To5Google noted that the device seen on the video leak is a design validation test (DVT) unit for Pixel 7a. So it may not be exactly the same as the units Google will ship later this year. But the report said DVT is quite an advanced stage in development, so there is a chance for the features seen on the leak to be retained in the final version of the device.

Google is expected to unveil the Pixel 7a at its next I/O conference, which could take place sometime in May.

Photo by Thai Nguyen on Unsplash