Google Pixel 4a might drop a long-standing feature of the Pixel phones
No longer a main squeeze
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
One of the distinguishing features of theGooglePixel phones is ‘Active Edge’, which lets you squeeze the side of the phone to summon Google Assistant. However, it seems the upcomingGoogle Pixel 4amight be the first phone in years to miss out on this unique feature.
This leak comes fromYouTubechannelTechnoLike Pluswhich has a prototype of the Pixel 4a and has been showing off a variety of features in different videos over the last few months.
According to TechnoLike Plus, the Active Edge feature isn’t present on the Google Pixel 4a so clamping your phone in your hand won’t do anything more than just squeezing the sides of the device.
Farewell to the flexing facet
Active Edge has been a staple feature of Pixel phones for the last few years including last year’s budgetGoogle Pixel 3a. It’s seen as one of the key ways Google’s hardware allows you to tap into Android software in a novel way.
The cheaper ‘a’ series of Pixel phones is seemingly based around compromise though, as other specs like the chipset and camera smarts don’t match with the flagship Pixel phones. The absence of Active Edge is just another example of that.
Most users probably won’t actually miss Active Edge, especially those who haven’t previously used a Pixel phone, but it’s one of the few ways Google phones distinguish themselves from the competition.
Saying that, this prototype leak isn’t necessarily absolute evidence and it’s possible that since TechnoLike Plus got its hands on a Pixel 4a unit the design has somewhat changed.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
We’ll find out for sure what the Google PIxel 4a is set to be like some time soon. We were expecting it to debut atGoogle IO 2020in early May until that event was cancelled owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, but a launch date could be any day now.
ViaSlashGear
Tom Bedford was deputy phones editor on TechRadar until late 2022, having worked his way up from staff writer. Though he specialized in phones and tablets, he also took on other tech like electric scooters, smartwatches, fitness, mobile gaming and more. He is based in London, UK and now works for the entertainment site What To Watch.
He graduated in American Literature and Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. Prior to working on TechRadar, he freelanced in tech, gaming and entertainment, and also spent many years working as a mixologist.
Latest Google Pixel update includes surprise launch of Android 15’s best battery feature
The Pixel Phone app might soon let you respond to calls with AI messages
Arcane season 2 confirms the hit series isn’t just one of the best Netflix shows ever made – it’s an animated legend that’ll stand the test of time
