Intel has confirmed that it has canceled plans to release its SoFIA and Broxton chips that were being made primarily for smartphones. This means that Intel currently has no chips that will be used in future smartphones.
Intel's shift away from the smartphone market was first announced by analyst Patrick Moorhead, via Forbes, and later confirmed by Intel itself in a statement from a spokesperson to AnandTech:
I can confirm that the changes included canceling the Broxton platform as well as SoFIA 3GX, SoFIA LTE and SoFIA LTE2 commercial platforms to enable us to move resources to products that deliver higher returns and advance our strategy. These changes are effective immediately.
The move follows Intel's announcement last week it was laying off 12,000 of its employees, or about 11% of its workforce, by mid-2017. While the company did have chips inside a few Android-based smartphones in the past several years, including the ASUS ZenFone 2, Intel's share of the phone market was just a fraction of the amount claimed by ARM-based processors made by Qualcomm and others.
Is the Pixel 4a worth an upgrade from the Pixel 3a?
The Pixel 4a is a clear upgrade over the 3a, but the question you have to ask first is whether your 3a is in need of an upgrade in the first place.
Google Pixel 4a specs: Upgrades in performance, display and battery
Google never goes overboard with Pixel specs, and that's particularly true with the "a" series. The Pixel 4a, like its predecessor, is about giving you a great all-around experience for the money by being very selective about which specs and features are included.
Google confirms Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 are coming, but with few details
Google has confirmed it will have two more Pixels to launch in 2020, and they'll both have 5G. The Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 will come later to complement the standard Pixel 4a, and while we have a decent idea of what they'll be like through leaks, Google isn't spilling details.
Grab a great case for your Google Pixel 4a!
The Pixel 4a is a great phone for an even greater price, but it isn't the most flashy phone on the market. Thankfully, there are flashy, fashionable, and dependable cases out there you can grab to spice things up!
