The leaks were true! We got our hands on Google’s new budget-friendly phone, the Google Pixel 9a, and there are a few things we’re excited about right away. First and foremost, the price remains the same at $499. In a world with inflation, tariffs, and all sorts of economic factors, keeping the same price as the Pixel 8a is a win.
Price of Google Pixel 9a: A Stable Point in a Shifting Market
Let’s be honest, the $499 price point is a big deal. In today’s economy, where prices seem to be constantly rising, Google has managed to keep the Pixel 9a at the same affordable price as its predecessor. This consistency offers real value.
Design with A Fresh Look or a Step Back?
Design-wise, it’s a mixed bag. The Pixel series had really locked in its design identity as “the phone with the visor.” You could spot a Pixel from a mile away. No other phone looked quite like it. So where did the identity go?
The Camera Bump is GONE!
But, here’s the kicker: there’s no camera bump on the back of this phone. None. Zero. How long have we been asking phone makers to do this? You’ve seen the YouTube comments: “Hey, I don’t care about a thin phone. Just make it thicker, get rid of the camera bump, and fill that extra space with batteries.”
That’s exactly what they’ve done. The Google Pixel 9a is 8.9 millimeters thick. It also boasts the largest battery ever in a Pixel device: 5,100 milliampere-hours. That’s even more than the Pixel 9 Pro XL. They did the thing!
Visit For more Info :- Google Pixel 9A
The Main Selling Point
So, that alone has become the main value proposition. It’s the cheaper Pixel with all the great software we already love, plus a huge battery.
Software and Hardware
The embargo for the Google Pixel 9a launch has a strange restriction. We can’t show any software at all. That’s why this review is just home screens. But, we did get to use the phone off-camera, and here’s what we learned.
Under the Hood
The Google Pixel 9a is powered by the same Tensor G4 chip as the flagship Pixel 9s. It has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of starting storage.
Size and Build Quality
It’s about the same size as the Pixel 9, sporting a 6.3-inch display with a hole punch at the top and a fingerprint reader under the glass. It honestly feels close to a flagship in terms of build. The rails are flat aluminum. The back is plastic instead of glass. People who don’t use a case might notice the plastic. But this could make it more resistant to scratches. The phone is also fully IP68 dust and water resistant. That’s an upgrade from the IP67 rating on last year’s 8a.
The Value Comparison: Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 9
Last year, the Pixel 8a came out at the same price around the time the Pixel 8 dropped to $550. The 8a made too many sacrifices, and felt off from a flagship phone. It was in an awkward spot where it wasn’t a good deal. The Pixel 8 above it was a really good deal.
This year, things have shifted. The 9a is much closer to a flagship. It makes fewer sacrifices, and it’s the same price, so it’s a better deal. The Pixel 9 was more pricey at $799 at launch. Now it’s down to $649 at best. It’s not as good of a deal. There’s enough of a gap now between the two phones. The 9a is a good choice on its own.
The 9a display is almost the same as the Pixel 9. It has the same 120Hz max refresh rate, brightness, and resolution. Yes, the refresh rate is still off by default at 60Hz. There’s a slightly worse contrast ratio. It also uses Gorilla Glass 3 instead of Victus 2.
The Pixel 9a doesn’t miss any of the software features that make a Pixel a Pixel. All that stuff is still there.
- Gemini
- Magic Eraser
- Photo Unblur
- Call Screening
These are the features that people miss when switching to another phone that’s not a Pixel. It still has seven years of software updates and Pixel Drops.
It also has basic Qi wireless charging. The big battery will charge slower than the flagship, sure. With the dual cameras on the back, there’s a 48-megapixel main camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide. It still has Night Sight.
Think of the Pixel 9a as a Pixel 9, but with fewer camera features and a way bigger battery. That’s a trade a lot of people would be happy with, and it’s way cheaper.
Who is the Pixel 9a For?
Are people really going to notice the plastic back versus glass, when they have a case on their phone anyway? Are they going to notice a slightly slower charging speed when the battery’s bigger? Probably not. At this price, the positioning is perfect.
Color Options
There are four colors available:
- Black
- White
- Peony (pink)
- Iris (purple/blue)
The Iris color looks the best.
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Should You Wait for the Pixel 10?
We’re a few months away from starting to see leaks of the Pixel 10 series. The Pixel 10 will come out, but it won’t be as cheap as the A series. The rumors about the Pixel 10 suggest a big performance increase with Tensor G5.
If you’re trying to high performance per dollar and really care about that type of thing, it might be worth waiting for a potentially awesome Pixel 10. But the 9a is a perfectly good phone. You can go get that phone and be happy. Expectations are the thief of joy.
Final on the Google Pixel 9a Launch
The Pixel 9a drops into a world where other budget phones are looking a little ridiculous. Now we can feel validated. We’ve got all these other pretty good-looking budget phones coming out. Thanks, Google!
