Google's next-generation A-series smartphone, the Google Pixel 11a, has appeared in leaked CAD renders, giving us an early look at the phone's possible design, colours and hardware.
The Pixel 11a has not been officially announced by Google yet, so everything currently available about the device should be treated as leaked or expected information, rather than confirmed specifications.
The latest leak, published through Android Headlines in collaboration with tipster Steve Hemmerstoffer (@OnLeaks), shows a phone that looks familiar but could receive some meaningful internal upgrades.
Google Pixel 11a: What's New?
According to current leaks, the Pixel 11a could feature:
Google Tensor G6 chipset
6.3-inch display
Up to 120Hz refresh rate
Up to 3,350 nits peak brightness
8GB RAM
MediaTek M90 modem
Titan M3 security chip
New front-facing camera
Dual rear cameras
Around 4,870mAh minimum battery capacity
Four colour options
Slightly smaller dimensions than the Pixel 10a
None of these specifications should be considered final until Google officially announces the phone.
Pixel 11a Design Leaked
The biggest new development is the appearance of the first leaked CAD renders.
At first glance, the Pixel 11a appears to continue Google's existing A-series design language rather than introducing a completely new look.
The leaked renders show a flat rear panel and a pill-shaped rear camera module. The camera module appears slightly different from the one on the Pixel 10a and may be somewhat larger.
The front is also expected to retain a flat display with relatively noticeable bezels and a centred hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera.
In other words, Google appears to be taking an evolutionary approach with the Pixel 11a rather than completely redesigning the phone.
Pixel 11a Dimensions
The leaked CAD information suggests that the Pixel 11a could measure approximately:
153.46 × 72.35 × 9mm
For comparison, the Pixel 10a is reported at approximately 153.9 × 73 × 9mm.
That would make the Pixel 11a slightly shorter and narrower than its predecessor.
The difference is small, but it could be enough to mean that Pixel 10a cases won't necessarily fit the newer phone perfectly.
Google Pixel 11a Colour Options
The leaked information points to four colour options:
Obsidian — Black
Fog — Silver
Olive — Green
Frost — Purple
The purple colour is particularly interesting because it could give the Pixel 11a a more distinctive appearance.
However, colour names and availability may change before the official launch.
Tensor G6 Chip Could Be the Biggest Upgrade
One of the most interesting rumours surrounding the Pixel 11a is its processor.
According to multiple reports, the phone could use Google's Tensor G6 chipset.
This would be a significant change from the Pixel 10a, which retained the Tensor G4 platform instead of moving to the newer generation.
If the leak is accurate, Google could give its mid-range A-series phone a much newer processor generation than before.
Why Tensor G6 Matters
Google's Tensor processors are heavily focused on:
Artificial intelligence
Machine learning
Image processing
Voice features
Computational photography
On-device AI
A newer Tensor platform could therefore improve more than traditional CPU performance.
It could also help Google bring newer Gemini and AI-related features to a less expensive Pixel device.
However, actual performance and battery improvements cannot be confirmed until independent testing is available.
MediaTek M90 Modem
The Pixel 11a is also expected to use a MediaTek M90 modem, according to current leaks.
This would be another notable hardware change.
The same modem has reportedly been associated with the broader Pixel 11 platform.
However, real-world network performance will depend on the final hardware configuration, carrier support and regional variants.
6.3-Inch Display With 120Hz
The Pixel 11a is expected to retain a 6.3-inch display.
Leaked specifications point toward a resolution of approximately:
1080 × 2424 pixels
The panel could support a refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz.
That would provide smoother scrolling and animations compared with traditional 60Hz displays.
Higher Brightness
The display could also receive a brightness upgrade.
Current leaks suggest:
HDR brightness: up to 2,250 nits
Peak brightness: up to 3,350 nits
For comparison, reports indicate the Pixel 10a reaches around 3,000 nits peak brightness.
If accurate, the higher brightness could make the Pixel 11a easier to view outdoors.
New Front Camera Expected
Another reported upgrade is a new selfie camera.
The leaked information does not yet provide a confirmed megapixel count or sensor specification.
The front camera is reportedly identified internally by the codename "dokkaebi."
This could potentially improve selfies, video calls and face-related features, but there is currently not enough information to determine the actual camera quality.
Dual Rear Camera System
The Pixel 11a is expected to retain a dual-camera setup on the rear.
Current reports suggest:
48MP primary camera
13MP secondary camera
However, these specifications are still based on leaks and should not be treated as final.
Google's computational photography has traditionally been an important part of the Pixel experience, so software processing could remain just as important as the camera hardware.
Battery Could Be Around 5,000mAh
One leak lists the Pixel 11a with a 4,870mAh minimum battery capacity, with the possibility of a typical capacity around 5,000mAh.
Interestingly, this would be lower than the Pixel 10a's reported battery capacity.
That means the Tensor G6's efficiency could become particularly important.
A smaller battery does not automatically mean worse battery life because efficiency depends on the processor, display, modem and software optimisation.
Still, battery performance cannot be properly judged until the phone is independently tested.
8GB RAM Expected
The Pixel 11a is currently expected to come with 8GB of RAM.
That would keep it positioned as a mid-range Pixel rather than matching the higher memory configurations expected from some premium smartphones.
The amount of RAM could also influence which advanced AI features Google eventually makes available on the device.
Titan M3 Security Chip
The leaked specifications also point toward Google's Titan M3 security chip.
The Titan security platform is designed to provide additional hardware-level security for Pixel devices.
The Pixel 11a is reportedly expected to use the same security-chip generation associated with the Pixel 11 family.
Google Pixel 11a Expected Launch Date
Google has not officially announced the Pixel 11a launch date.
However, current reports expect the phone to arrive sometime in spring 2027, with March 2027 frequently mentioned based on Google's previous A-series release pattern.
This means the leaked renders are appearing many months before the expected launch.
Google could change the launch schedule, specifications or availability before the announcement.
Pixel 11a Expected Specifications
| Feature | Expected Pixel 11a |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch |
| Resolution | 1080 × 2424 |
| Refresh rate | 60–120Hz |
| Processor | Tensor G6 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Modem | MediaTek M90 |
| Security | Titan M3 |
| Rear cameras | 48MP + 13MP expected |
| Front camera | New sensor expected |
| Battery | 4,870mAh minimum / around 5,000mAh typical reported |
| Peak brightness | Up to 3,350 nits |
| Colours | Black, Silver, Green, Purple |
| Expected launch | Spring 2027 |
| Status | Rumoured / leaked |
Pixel 11a vs Pixel 10a: Expected Changes
The Pixel 11a could bring several changes compared with the Pixel 10a.
Processor
Pixel 10a:
Tensor G4
Pixel 11a:
Tensor G6 expected
This could be one of the largest hardware changes in the new model.
Display
The screen size is expected to remain around 6.3 inches, but the Pixel 11a could offer higher peak brightness.
Camera
The rear camera hardware may remain similar, while the front camera is expected to receive an upgrade.
Design
The overall design appears very similar, but the camera module could be slightly different and the phone could be marginally more compact.
Battery
The leaked minimum capacity is around 4,870mAh, which would actually be lower than the reported capacity of the Pixel 10a.
Will Pixel 11a Get Gemini AI Features?
This is one area to watch closely.
If Google really uses Tensor G6 in the Pixel 11a, the device should have a newer hardware platform designed with Google's AI workloads in mind.
That could make the phone well suited to Google's growing Gemini ecosystem.
However, Google has not yet confirmed which Gemini or Pixel-exclusive AI features will be available on the Pixel 11a.
AI features can also depend on software version, region, language and Google's device-specific feature policies.
Therefore, it would be premature to claim that every Pixel 11 flagship AI feature will automatically be available on the 11a.
Should You Wait for the Pixel 11a?
If you're currently using a Pixel 10a or another recent mid-range smartphone, there is no reason to make a purchase decision based only on these leaks.
The Pixel 11a is still an unreleased device, and its final specifications, price and availability have not been officially confirmed.
The Tensor G6, brighter display and new selfie camera could make it an interesting upgrade, but the actual value will depend on Google's final pricing and how the hardware performs in real-world testing.
Final Verdict
The Google Pixel 11a is shaping up to be an interesting mid-range Pixel phone, especially because of the reported Tensor G6 upgrade.
The latest leaked renders suggest that Google is keeping the familiar Pixel A-series design while making relatively small exterior changes. The biggest differences could instead come from the internal hardware, including Tensor G6, the MediaTek M90 modem, a new front camera and a brighter display.
For now, however, these details remain leaks and rumours. Google has not officially confirmed the Pixel 11a's specifications, price or launch date.
As we get closer to the expected 2027 launch, more information should emerge about the camera system, battery life, charging, pricing and Google's AI features.
Until Google makes an official announcement, readers should treat all Pixel 11a specifications as unconfirmed.