Google Pixel 9a Assessment: Tougher, Higher, Sooner, Stronger

	Google Pixel 9a – MSRP Beginning A $499 Google’s Pixel 9a is its newest mid-range cellphone that updates final 12 months’s Pixel 8a with a bigger display screen, a greater Tensor processor, an even bigger battery and sooner charging.
	Implausible worth Beautiful show Glorious cameras Spectacular battery life Excellent software program Sharp, brilliant show with 120Hz refresh ×Quick 80W charging and included plug ×Glorious efficiency with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 ×Alert slider is again	Bland design No extra iconic digicam visor Significantly 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 at all times struck the proper steadiness between price and specs. Traditionally, we have felt this was a successful combo, and the Pixel 9a maintains this custom. It provides the identical nice worth as its predecessor – simply with out the long-lasting 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 convey 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 many 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 positively 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 also 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 might be attributed to the bigger show (6.3-inch vs. 6.1-inch). Colorways embrace Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), Iris (purple), and Peony (pink).

On the again – which is fabricated from a excessive density, glass-like plastic – you may discover that new digicam tablet within the prime left nook. It’s an virtually flush island housing the 48MP major shooter and 13MP ultrawide, it’s fabricated from 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 critically chunky (albeit evenly distributed) bezel round its 6.3-inch, Gorilla Glass 3-covered display screen. It’s not an excellent look comparatively nevertheless it’s not a showstopper both. Every thing else is fairly acquainted. You will discover a energy/lock key and quantity rocker on the fitting aspect, however nothing on the left. The underside edge is dwelling 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 long-lasting digicam visor, the Pixel 9a’s design is solely a little bit bland. That is significantly true of the Obsidian model, since that colorway accentuates the already thick bezels and obscures the digicam tablet by mixing it into the again. If you happen to purchase this cellphone, we propose you decide one of many different hues if you wish to have no less than a little bit flare. On the plus aspect, 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 facet ratio, a 120Hz refresh fee, 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 huge 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 images, leading to wonderful imaging efficiency. Within the again, you’ll discover a 48MP f/1.7 1/2-inch 0.8-micron major 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 could have observed that the Pixel 9a’s major shooter is similar to the one within the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, and clearly, efficiency could be very related. As you’d anticipate, 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 footage. The ultrawide and selfie digicam carry over from the Pixel 8a.

Picture modes embrace portrait, night time (referred to as Night time Sight), astrophotography, and lengthy publicity, These are supported on all three shooters. Extra taking pictures modes – like macro, panorama, and Add Me (which mixes two pictures to incorporate the photographer in a bunch shot) – are solely out there 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 gradual movement (major 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 out there on the Pixel 9 Professional/Professional XL can also be lacking from the Pixel 9a.

Images is the place the Pixel 9a really shines. It advantages from each considered one 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 due to HDR+, and low-light efficiency is strong due to Night time Sight. Zooming is okay as much as about 4-5x due to Tremendous Res Zoom, however high quality drops past that (as much as 8x).

Movies recorded with the Pixel 9a are completely serviceable, and just like movies taken with the Pixel 9 Professional Fold. Simply don’t anticipate 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 on the market when utilizing headphones or earbuds. As you’d anticipate, there’s no headphone jack, however the Pixel 9a works superb 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 12 months’s Pixel 8a. Clearly, there’s no microSD help. In contrast to 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 little thing we threw at it with out hiccups — from our traditional social media and work apps to video games like Genshin Influence 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 avid gamers apart, we’re fairly positive that the majority of us will probably be glad with the Pixel 9a’s efficiency.

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

Our PCMark battery take a look at 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, nevertheless it’s simple — 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 at all times been delightfully clear, polished, and responsive — with a number of useful (and really Google-y) tweaks thrown in for good measure. These embrace options like Name Display, Direct My Name, Maintain For Me, Recorder, and Now Taking part in, (to call a number of). We advise 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 Photographs’ acquainted suite of AI-based picture modifying instruments, the Pixel 9a introduces Gemini Stay with digicam and display screen sharing, which can also be rolling out to different Pixel 9 handsets, and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 collection gadgets. This new characteristic lets you have got a dwell dialog with Gemini about something you see in your cellphone’s display screen or via 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. Aside 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 generally installs service apps throughout setup, relying in your SIM. To keep away from this, use WiFi to arrange the gadget and not using a SIM put in, then set up your SIM or eSIM after.

Google Pixel 9a Assessment Abstract

It’s simple 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 12 months’s Pixel 8a. And, extra importantly, its $499 price ticket stays unchanged – no small feat in these tough financial instances.

The remainder of the Pixel 9a’s specs and design selections are all new. And whereas the brand new digicam tablet and bigger bezel-tastic display screen might be professionals 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 beautiful show, wonderful digicam efficiency, and spectacular battery life — to not point out Google’s excellent software program expertise with a 7 12 months dedication to common updates.