We're just a few days away from finally, finally meeting the Pixel 4a, but before then the first mention of the Pixel 5a has surfaced.
A reference to the Pixel 5a has been spotted in the Android Open Source Project (via 9to5Google). A Google developer was naming the Pixel devices and the Android version that they launched with, and listed in the Android 11 "R" section is the Pixel 4a 5G, the Pixel 5, and the Pixel 5a.
This suggests that the Pixel 5a will launch with Android 11 in tow. Unfortunately, no other details about the device were given.
The reference means that Google is likely working on the Pixel 5a right now. And because it's launching with Android 11 in tow, it could launch in the middle of next year. That would make sense because the Pixel 3a and 3a XL were made official in May 2019 and reports have said that the Pixel 4a was scheduled to be announced in May 2020 but that it ended up being delayed.
When it was released, the Pixel 3a was praised for offering solid specs, Google's Android software support, and a good camera all in an affordable package. Because of that, many people are looking forward to the Pixel 4a, and we aren't surprised to hear that Google is already working on a Pixel 5a, too. Still, it's nice to get confirmation of the Pixel 5a's existence.