Technologies

Google’s Pixel 7A: The Biggest Features I Want on the Rumored Phone

Commentary: Wireless charging, a screen with a higher refresh rate, and more Android updates, please.

Google’s Pixel 6A was my favorite Android phone under $500 last year, which means Google has a lot to live up to for its rumored Pixel 7A. That’s especially true as the company faces more competition in the budget phone space from Samsung, which just announced the $450 Galaxy A54 5G.

The $449 Pixel 6A is essentially a smaller, less expensive version of the Pixel 6, Google’s flagship phone from 2021. The Pixel 6A has the same Tensor processor and general design as the Pixel 6, but with a lower-resolution, 12-megapixel main camera and a few other compromises. But its relatively low cost, solid photography for the price and attractive design made it a top choice for Android fans shopping on a budget.

Google got a lot right with the Pixel 6A, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. For example, I sometimes felt the Pixel 6A’s screen was too dim, and its lack of wireless charging feels antiquated in 2023.

Google hasn’t mentioned any details about its upcoming product launch plans. But if the company maintains the same product launch strategy as last year, the Pixel 7A could appear as soon as this summer. Here’s what I’d like to see.

Same screen size, but smoother and brighter

The Pixel 6A’s 6.1-inch screen size is perfect for people who prefer smaller phones, so I’m hoping the Pixel 7A inherits this trait. It rounds out Google’s Pixel family nicely by ensuring there’s a small, medium and large option within the lineup.

However, I am hoping to see display upgrades in other areas. Google could improve the brightness on the Pixel 7A, for example, considering I was sometimes tempted to crank the brightness above 50% on the Pixel 6A, even when indoors. That’s one area where Samsung rarely has an issue, especially in the Galaxy S22 and S23 lineups.

I’d also like to see a higher refresh rate on the Pixel 7A. Since Google’s A-series phones aren’t meant to have all the flourishes you’d find on a flagship phone, a standard refresh rate may seem reasonable for the Pixel 7A. The problem, though, is that high refresh rates are no longer reserved just for premium devices. Budget phones like last year’s Galaxy A53 5G and even Motorola’s Moto G 5G have refresh rates that are higher than the standard 60Hz, resulting in smoother scrolling. That makes the Pixel 6A feel a little behind, though it excels over these competing devices in other ways, like the camera.

Luckily, Google might address this with the Pixel 7A, if a leak from developer Kuba Wojciechowski turns out to be true. Wojciechowski claims to have found details in the Android codebase indicating that the Pixel 7A could have a higher, 90Hz refresh rate, which would match the Pixel 7’s.

Wireless charging

Another feature missing from the Pixel 6A is wireless charging. The ability to charge your phone on a wireless charging pad instead of by plugging it in may not seem like a deal breaker for most people. But similar to high refresh rates, wireless charging doesn’t feel like it should be a premium feature in 2023, especially since it’s been common on most phones for the last five years. That said, many competing phones in this price range don’t support wireless charging either, aside from the $429 iPhone SE.

Thankfully, the Pixel 7A may indeed gain wireless charging, if Wojciechowski‘s findings are accurate.

More guaranteed Android updates

Google’s Pixel phones are among the first to get new Android software updates. Google, however, doesn’t offer Android version updates for as long as Samsung does. Samsung provides four generations of Android version updates, while Google offers only three. Considering Google is the purveyor of Android, and that Pixel phones are expected to provide the ideal Android experience, I’m hoping Google considers extending support in the future. And not just for the Pixel 7A, but for all upcoming Pixel phones.

Face Unlock

The Pixel 7 and 7 Pro support the ability to unlock your phone with your face, unlike the Pixel 6. Since that functionality primarily relies on the Pixel 7’s front-facing camera, unlike Apple’s Face ID, which creates a depth map of your face, I don’t see any reason why Google couldn’t easily bring this feature to the Pixel 7A. Samsung’s Galaxy A53 5G, which was in the same price range as the Pixel 6A at launch, also supports facial recognition.

If the Pixel 7A does gain the Pixel 7’s Face Unlock, just remember that Google cautions it isn’t as secure as using the fingerprint reader or a PIN. Because of this, it’s meant for unlocking your phone more conveniently, rather than authenticating purchases.

Photo Unblur

One of the biggest ways Google differentiates its Pixel phones from other Android devices is by providing software and camera features you can’t get elsewhere. One of my favorite additions to the Pixel 7 is a feature called Photo Unblur, which sharpens old photos that may’ve been taken out of focus. If the Pixel 7A runs on the same Tensor G2 processor as the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, it’ll likely support Photo Unblur, too. And I hope it does, because during my review, I was seriously impressed with how well it sharpened a photo of me from 10 years ago.

Google has an opportunity to make its next A-series Pixel phone even more compelling by adding features that should be standard in 2023 — namely wireless charging and a screen with a higher refresh rate. Google will naturally need to make some compromises with the Pixel 7A to keep its price competitive and maintain some separation from the Pixel 7. But even with the features mentioned above, there’s still plenty that would distinguish the Pixel 7 from its cheaper sibling, like a larger screen, a higher resolution camera, a larger storage option and more RAM.

We’re hoping to find out more about Google’s upcoming Pixel plans at its Google I/O developer conference in May.

Technologies

Why Are Switch 2 Games So Expensive? Trump’s Tariffs May Not Be Sole Factor

It still comes down to money.

Wednesday’s reveal of the Switch 2 had a lot of buzz from Nintendo surrounding its successor to the Switch. One shocking bit, though, was the high price of its games. There’s a lot of confusion, especially with news of President Donald Trump’s increased tariffs on many trading partners, including Japan.

After the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo released the full details of the upcoming console and games on its website. The price of Mario Kart World shocked gamers and led to some disdain, as the $80 MSRP was $10 more than what most new games cost today. This led many to wonder if this would be a new normal for game prices due to Trump’s tariffs or if Nintendo was just being greedy. The answer, however, might be something completely different.

Are Nintendo Switch 2 game prices hiking?

To start, some details need to be cleared up. Some people have posted on social media that the price of Nintendo’s Switch 2 games, at least in the US, will be $90. That is incorrect, as of right now.

One X user posted Switch 2 EU prices for Mario Kart World, which start at 80 euros for a digital version and 90 euros for the physical copy. Typically, US and EU games match in price, which caused some to assume that this pricing would be the case for the US.

Nintendo Switch 2 games will be more expensive physically than digitally.
Mario Kart World will be 90 freaking euros phisically. pic.twitter.com/iXuRwzlFqH

— Centro LEAKS (@CentroLeaks) April 2, 2025

US retailers, however, already posted their Switch 2 game prices, and Nintendo-published games are listed at $80.

Will Trump’s tariffs cause the Switch 2 to cost more?

As for Trump’s tariffs, that is unlikely to be a driver of this price bump. Tariffs are not applied to digital goods, and when the prices were published, there were no tariffs on Japan. Plus, games are similarly expensive in other countries like Canada and the UK.

With that cleared up, why are Nintendo games on the Switch 2 so expensive? One likely reason is game storage.

Read More: All the Nintendo Games You Can Update to Switch 2 for Free

The Switch 2 uses what Nintendo calls game-key cards, which are Switch 2 cartridges that don’t have all the game data on the cartridge itself. This helps save on production costs as storage is expensive. The original Switch cartridges went up to 32GB of storage, which doesn’t seem like a lot these days, with some games taking up 100GB or more of storage, but this is for the original Switch. Only a few games, like The Witcher 3, went above 32GB because the graphics for the Switch weren’t on the high end like with a PC, PS5 or Xbox Series console, where a Witcher 3 install size starts at 50GB.

Switch 2 games are going to be bigger in size — there is little doubt about it. CD Projekt Red confirmed it would put its Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on one 64GB cartridge, and there will likely be other games to surpass that 64GB. With the max size of the cartridge doubling in size, it adds to the price of the physical card, as not only does storage have to be bigger, but they will need to transfer data faster. That can get more expensive for physical copies, unlike optical discs, which are still the same price whether it has 20GB or 100GB on the disc.

What does all this mean for gamers?

This leads to a dilemma for publishers: Put the entire game on the physical card and sell it at a loss, increase the price of the physical copy with the full game on it or use the game-key card to have a card with minimal storage, requiring gamers to download the entire game.

Read More: The 17 Best Nintendo Switch Games Right Now

It appears that Nintendo went with door No. 2. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, knowing the company. Anyone who wants to save money on games knows that Nintendo will seldom bring the price down of its own games. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, for example, is 8 years old and is still full price on Nintendo’s website.

According to an industry analysis from Niko Partners, this new pricing could become the new normal in a couple of years when it comes to physical cartridges.

«While there has been some sticker shock regarding the price of games increasing from $60 to $70 or $80, these price points are set to become industry standard over the next two years, especially so for Nintendo first-party games,» Niko Partners said in a statement Wednesday. «One reason for the higher price is the increased cost of the new and faster Game Cards themselves, with higher capacities being more expensive to manufacture than a PS5 Blu-ray disc.»

Nintendo didn’t respond to a request for comment about the higher price of its games.

That said, this doesn’t explain the lower price of Donkey Kong Bananza, which comes out in July; that’s listed on Nintendo’s site for $70. This could mean the game isn’t using a larger storage card, but that can’t be said for sure until the game comes out. It’s unclear how things will change in the future.

Technologies

Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-orders in US Delayed Due to Trump’s Tariffs

The Switch 2 launch is still happening on June 5, and preorders outside the US seem unchanged.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders in the US were to start April 9, but it appears those plans have changed due to the new tariffs imposed this week by President Donald Trump. It’s unclear if this means Nintendo will also have to increase the price of the Switch successor, which currently starts at $450.

Nintendo said Friday that it’s delaying Switch 2 preorders in the US, but its June release date is unaffected.

«Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions,» the company said in a statement. «Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged.»

Nintendo didn’t indicate if preorder dates outside the US would change, but Eurogamer reports that preorders are live at various retailers in the UK.

A tariff of 24% has been applied by the US to goods from Japan. Were that rate to be applied directly to the Switch 2’s announced price, it would rise to $558, but it would be up to Nintendo how much of the tariff it will pass on to consumers.

This is a developing story.

Technologies

Twelve South’s Foldable Wireless Charger for iPhone and Apple Watch Is Up to 27% Off at Amazon

This handy accessory makes it easier to travel with your Apple gear and stay charged wherever you go.

Whether you’re traveling for business or off on a wonderful family vacation, charging your stuff shouldn’t be something you have to worry about. Taking extra chargers and cables can be a pain, and they all take up space in your bag. But the handy Twelve South Butterfly SE charger is a compact alternative that can wirelessly charge an iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time. And it’s available with up to 27% off right now at Amazon.

That top line discount applies to the pink version, though the white model is only $7 more and other colors are seeing 15% off the usual $100 price tag if you have a strong preference. It’s not clear how long the discounts will last, though.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

The charger itself offers a way to wirelessly charge a iPhone and Apple Watch from a single AC outlet, and you can even charge your AirPods when your phone is done, too. And because this is a Qi2 charger you’ll get a full 15 watts of wireless charging for compatible devices — including the best iPhones.

When you’re not using the Butterfly SE, it folds up so it can be slid into a pocket, bag or luggage without taking up too much space. It really is the perfect partner for people who like to travel light.

Unfortunately, this charger doesn’t come with an AC adapter in the box, so you’ll need to provide your own. Make sure it’s rated for 20 watts or more. If you need to buy one, Apple’s 20-watt USB-C charger is just $15 right now.

Why this deal matters

We all carry multiple devices around with us these days. Anything that can make charging them more convenient is a win in our books, especially when you’re traveling. This charger takes up little space when it isn’t being used and charges quickly when it is.