An early launch could see the Pixel 9a up against the next iPhone

Google's next budget-friendly smartphone might be due earlier than usual this year.

According to reporting by AndroidHeadlines, the device could be on-sale from as soon as March. Citing anonymous sources, the blog asserted that the follow-up to last year's Google Pixel 8a would go on pre-order a week prior to a 26 March 2025 launch.

If accurate, this would be the earliest Google has ever launched one of its more affordable Pixel smartphones. Typically, the company waits until around May (and its I/O conference) to do so. However, last year's Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro did launch a few months earlier than usual so it's not entirely out of the realm of possibility. It could also see Google's next budget device go up against its iOS counterpart.

In addition to the release window, AndroidHeadlines's reporting also included a number of other tidbits about the upcoming device. The most noteworthy details here are that the Pixel 9a is tipped to have the largest battery Google has ever put in a smartphone and that it will feature a lighter design that ditches the camera bar found on its predecessor.

We won't know just how true any of these claims end up being until Google itself decides to set the record straight and give the world a formal introduction to its next thrifty handset. Given the long history of the company leaking its own devices ahead of time (accidentally and otherwise) though, I don't think we'll be waiting too long.