Google Pixel 9a Evaluate: More durable, Higher, Quicker, Stronger

	Google Pixel 9a – MSRP Beginning A $499 Google’s Pixel 9a is its newest mid-range cellphone that updates final yr’s Pixel 8a with a bigger display screen, a greater Tensor processor, an even bigger battery and sooner charging.
	Improbable worth Beautiful show Wonderful cameras Spectacular battery life Excellent software program Sharp, shiny show with 120Hz refresh ×Quick 80W charging and included plug ×Wonderful efficiency with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ×Alert slider is again	Bland design No extra iconic digicam visor Critically chunky bezels No charger within the field

To borrow a line from Daft Punk, the brand new Pixel 9a is “more durable, higher, sooner, stronger”. Google’s mid-range a-series handsets have all the time struck the proper stability between price and specs. Traditionally, we have felt this was a profitable combo, and the Pixel 9a maintains this custom. It gives the identical nice worth as its predecessor – simply with out the enduring digicam visor. And whereas that’s a little bit of a bummer, this Android cellphone nonetheless delivers a ton of options and higher efficiency.

So, what’s this new Pixel 9a like? Is it simply as great because the Pixel 8a or did Google drop the ball? Does it deliver something new to the desk? Journey on with our full overview right here to search out out…

Google Pixel 9a {Hardware} Updates And Industrial Design Language

Whereas the Pixel 8a took the Pixel 8 and eight Professional design language and rounded off the corners, the Pixel 9a inherits a lot of the Pixel 9 collection appear and feel – aluminum slabs sides and all – with one evident omission. Google’s iconic digicam visor (the horizontal bar housing the rear shooters) that’s been a staple of Pixel telephones because the Pixel 6 collection is now gone, changed with a digicam tablet – an virtually flush island housing the 2 rear cameras. It is undoubtedly a cleaner, minimalistic look. 

At 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm and 186g, the Pixel 9a is 2.6mm taller, 0.6mm wider, the identical thickness, and 2g lighter than the outgoing Pixel 8a. The Pixel 9a can be IP68 water and dirt resistant, an enchancment over the Pixel 8a’s IP67 score. It’s an even bigger cellphone, and the footprint distinction may be attributed to the bigger show (6.3-inch vs. 6.1-inch). Colorways embody Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), Iris (purple), and Peony (pink).

On the again – which is product of a excessive density, glass-like plastic – you will discover that new digicam tablet within the prime left nook. It’s an virtually flush island housing the 48MP foremost shooter and 13MP ultrawide, it’s product of black glass, and it’s flanked by an LED flash to the fitting. There is a punch gap on the prime middle of the display screen for the 12MP selfie digicam, and a slit above the show for the earpiece (which doubles as one of many stereo audio system).

We hope you want bezels, as a result of the Pixel 9a comes with some a severely chunky (albeit evenly distributed) bezel round its 6.3-inch, Gorilla Glass 3-covered display screen. It’s not a terrific look comparatively but it surely’s not a showstopper both. Every thing else is fairly acquainted. You will discover a energy/lock key and quantity rocker on the fitting facet, however nothing on the left. The underside edge is residence to the principle speaker, USB Kind-C port (USB 3.2), main mic, and nano-SIM tray, whereas the secondary mic is situated on prime.

With out the enduring digicam visor, the Pixel 9a’s design is solely a bit bland. That is notably true of the Obsidian model, since that colorway accentuates the already thick bezels and obscures the digicam tablet by mixing it into the again. For those who purchase this cellphone, we advise you decide one of many different hues if you wish to have at the very least a bit flare. On the plus facet, the Pixel 9a feels strong and properly put collectively.

Google Pixel 9a Specs And Options

Google Pixel 9a Show Specs And Options

The Pixel 9a packs a 6.3-inch FHD+ (2424 x 1080 pixels, 422ppi) OLED show with a 20:9 side ratio, a 120Hz refresh charge, and HDR help. Bezels are fairly thick (however even) and there’s a small punch gap on the prime middle for the entrance shooter. It’s a pleasant display screen, with vibrant colours, inky blacks, and vast viewing angles. At 2700 nits peak, it’s additionally brighter than its predecessor. Chunky bezels apart, now we have no complaints right here.

Google Pixel 9a Digital camera System and Efficiency

Like its predecessors, the Pixel 9a combines comparatively pedestrian digicam specs with Google’s huge experience in computational pictures, leading to glorious imaging efficiency. Within the again, you’ll discover a 48MP f/1.7 1/2-inch 0.8-micron foremost shooter with dual-pixel PDAF and OIS, and a 13MP f/2.2 120-degree 1/3.1-inch 1.12-micron ultrawide. Selfies are dealt with by a 13MP f/2.2 1/3.1-inch 1.12-micron entrance digicam.

Eagle-eyed readers can have seen that the Pixel 9a’s foremost shooter is an identical to the one within the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, and clearly, efficiency could be very comparable. As you’d count on, this 48MP sensor makes use of pixel binning, which improves dynamic vary and low-light efficiency by combining 4 smaller close by pixels into one bigger pixel, and outputs 12MP photos. The ultrawide and selfie digicam carry over from the Pixel 8a.

Picture modes embody portrait, night time (known as Night time Sight), astrophotography, and lengthy publicity, These are supported on all three shooters. Extra capturing modes – like macro, panorama, and Add Me (which mixes two pictures to incorporate the photographer in a gaggle shot) – are solely obtainable on the principle digicam. The Pixel 9a lacks the 48MP, professional (guide), and Motion Pan (movement blur) modes discovered on the Pixel 9 Professional/Professional XL.

On the video entrance, all three shooters seize stabilized video (with stereo audio) at as much as 4k 30fps / 1080p 60fps, however solely the principle digicam helps 4k 60fps. Video modes include sluggish movement (foremost solely, 1080p 240fps/480fps), time lapse (4k/1080p 30fps), and Cinematic Pan (rear solely, 4k/1080p 30fps). The night time, HDR, 8k, and Cinematic Blur (portrait video) modes obtainable on the Pixel 9 Professional/Professional XL can be lacking from the Pixel 9a.

Images is the place the Pixel 9a really shines. It advantages from each one in every of Google’s imaging methods, together with HDR+, Night time Sight, and Tremendous Res Zoom. The ensuing pictures are crisp and delightful, with pure colours and publicity. Dynamic vary is first rate because of HDR+, and low-light efficiency is strong because of Night time Sight. Zooming is ok as much as about 4-5x because of Tremendous Res Zoom, however high quality drops past that (as much as 8x).

Movies recorded with the Pixel 9a are completely serviceable, and much like movies taken with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold. Simply don’t count on flagship Android or iPhone-like outcomes, and also you’ll be okay.

Google Pixel 9a Connectivity And Sound High quality

The Pixel 9a options stereo audio system that sound loud and clear, with an emphasis on the mid-range. Like different Pixel telephones, it doesn’t help Dolby Atmos, however spatial audio is out there when utilizing headphones or earbuds. As you’d count on, there’s no headphone jack, however the Pixel 9a works positive with each wired digital USB Kind-C equipment. It additionally helps LHDC, LDAC, and aptX HD codecs for wi-fi audio over Bluetooth.

Google Pixel 9a Tensor G4 Efficiency And Battery Life

The Pixel 9a boasts Google’s newest (Exynos-based) 4nm Tensor G4 SoC, identical to the remainder of the Pixel 9 lineup. It’s paired with 8GB of RAM and 128 or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, matching final yr’s Pixel 8a. Clearly, there’s no microSD help. Not like the opposite Pixel 9 handsets, which use the newer Exynos Modem 5400, the Pixel 9a makes do with the older Exynos Modem 5300, which is much less energy environment friendly and lacks satellite tv for pc connectivity. 

The Pixel 9a ran every part we threw at it with out hiccups — from our typical social media and work apps to video games like Genshin Impression and Fortnite. A easy spherical of benchmarks confirmed that the Pixel 9a performs about the identical as the opposite Pixel 9 telephones. On paper, the Tensor G4 isn’t as quick as Qualcomm and MediaTek’s greatest chips, however hard-core players apart, we’re fairly certain that the majority people shall be glad with the Pixel 9a’s efficiency.

When it comes to battery life, the Pixel 9a simply beats its predecessors because of a bigger 5100mAh battery.

Our PCMark battery check ran for 16 hours and 33 minutes, which is fairly spectacular. Principally, this cellphone will final for 2 days on a cost with average use. Filling up isn’t quick, but it surely’s straightforward — the Pixel 9a helps 23W wired charging (PD 3.0) and seven.5W Qi-compatible wi-fi charging. Sadly, there’s no charger within the field.

Google Pixel 9a Software program, Consumer Expertise And AI

The Pixel 9a runs Android 15, like the remainder of the Pixel 9 lineup. Google’s method to Android has all the time been delightfully clear, polished, and responsive — with a number of useful (and really Google-y) tweaks thrown in for good measure. These embody options like Name Display, Direct My Name, Maintain For Me, Recorder, and Now Enjoying, (to call a number of). We recommend you learn our Pixel 9 Professional Fold overview for more information. Go forward, we’ll wait…

Apart from Circle to Search, Gemini, Gemini Stay, and Google Pictures’ acquainted suite of AI-based picture enhancing instruments, the Pixel 9a introduces Gemini Stay with digicam and display screen sharing, which can be rolling out to different Pixel 9 handsets, and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 collection gadgets. This new function lets you will have a stay dialog with Gemini about something you see in your cellphone’s display screen or by way of its cameras. Spectacular stuff!

Like different Pixel handsets, the Pixel 9a will get a minimal of seven years of well timed OS upgrades and safety updates and comes with zero pre-installed bloatware out of the field. Apart from Google’s acquainted app suite, our overview unit was squeaky-clean and freed from bloat. Simply watch out for Play Retailer Auto Set up, which typically installs provider apps throughout setup, relying in your SIM. To keep away from this, use WiFi to arrange the system and not using a SIM put in, then set up your SIM or eSIM after.

Google Pixel 9a Evaluate Abstract

It’s straightforward to be cynical and dismiss the Pixel 9a as simply one other well-rounded a-series cellphone from Google, however there’s extra to the story this time round. Solely the ultrawide and selfie cameras, RAM and storage choices, 5G modem, and wi-fi charging specs carry over from final yr’s Pixel 8a. And, extra importantly, its $499 price ticket stays unchanged – no small feat in these tough financial occasions.

The remainder of the Pixel 9a’s specs and design decisions are all new. And whereas the brand new digicam tablet and bigger bezel-tastic display screen may be execs or cons – relying in your perspective – who’s going to complain about a greater processor, larger battery, sooner wired charging, and improved water resistance? Plus, the Pixel 9a nails the fundamentals by delivering a stunning show, glorious digicam efficiency, and spectacular battery life — to not point out Google’s excellent software program expertise with a 7 yr dedication to common updates.