New announcement Google Pixel 9a There are big shoes to fill. Affordable phones are a follow-up to one of my favorite phones in 2024, Pixel 8awon CNET Editors’ Choice Award. With the Pixel 8A, Google has found a perfect spot in features, battery life, long-term software support, and overall value. Fortunately, on paper, the Pixel 9a is almost always upgraded on last year’s Pixel 8a.
But the Pixel 9a is under increased pressure as its launch comes right after Apple’s “affordable” phones, $599 iPhone 16e. The new iPhone, though it’s Apple’s cheapest iPhone, is still far beyond the $500 sweet spot The best affordable phone Try to hit. Fortunately, instead of following Apple, Google kept the Pixel 9A priced at $499 (£499, AU $849), which makes it more scope for those with higher budgets, especially since U.S. tariffs would hold and drive higher costs for merchandise.
I used the Pixel 9a for about half an hour and its build is impressive (incredibly solid) and every aspect of the new design. I really like the Pixel 9a’s back is almost completely flat. However, the phone lacks the unique camera rod found in the rest of the Pixel 9 series, reducing the pixels of Pixel 9a at least in appearance. Otherwise, under the screen and under the hood, they are like pixels.
Pixel 9a to be purchased at Google Stores and Retailers Starting April 10.
Watch the following: First look: Google’s Pixel 9a has a big battery and new design
Pixel 9A design
The Pixel 9a lacks the camera visor that defines previous Google phones, including the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro.
Pixel 9a looks different from the nearest Pixel A model. Like the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, the Pixel 9a has flat sides, rather than curves on pixel 8a. But Google’s approach to the Pixel 9a challenges minimalist boundaries. The back of the phone is almost completely flat, and the camera hits only sticking out the hair. My nails grab the camera’s bumpy lips as I stretch my fingertips to the back, but not much.
The Pixel 9a is rare in 2025: It can be placed entirely on a table or on a table. It won’t swing, even the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro with camera sticks won’t swing either. But the Pixel 9a’s graphic design takes things to the next level. I went all out, the graphic design of pixel 9a.
However, the lack of the camera bar seems a bit missed, as I’ve been finding it visually striking on previous Google phones. The bar helps distinguish pixels from other brands of phones. While most people hardly see Pixel 9a’s birthday suits and choose to wear clothes instead, Pixel 9a looks more versatile than the eye-catching ones.
In a tug of war between form and function, Google gains functionality, so the Pixel 9a is the most durable pixel of the device it makes. The back is made of 81% recycled plastic. I know some people roll their eyes because of plastic, but when I pick it up it looks good and still feels solid, which may help keep costs down. The phone has an IP68 rating that is waterproof and resistant (compared to the IP67 rating of the Pixel 8A), which means it can immerse it in depths of 1.5 meters in water for 30 minutes.
Here are four Pixel 9As flush each other (thanks to the new graphic design). There are colors from top to bottom: iris, peony, porcelain and obsidian.
The Pixel 9a comes in four colors: obsidian, porcelain, peony and iris. Personally, I really like the iris color.
The Pixel 9a has a 6.3-inch display that is packaged in nearly the same (skosh-higher) Pixel 8a, which has a 6.1-inch display. The display has a peak brightness of 2,700 columns, which is a nice boost from the 8A screen and may hit 2,000 columns. So it would be fun to see how its screen looks outdoors, especially in some bright California sunshine. On paper, the screen appears to be the same as the one on regular pixel 9.
Pixel 9A Camera
The Pixel 9a has two cameras: a wide and speeding camera.
When it comes to photography, the Pixel 9a has a 48-megapixel main camera and a 13-megapixel Ultrawide. The new main camera supports Google’s macro focus, which means you can get close to your subject – think like a food photo – and focus it on the focus. In fact, Google uses the main camera to achieve this, rather than using a super camera like many other phones.
As for resolution, the Pixel 9A’s 48-megapixel main camera is a step down from the 64-megapixel main camera on Pixel 8A. However, more megapixels are not necessarily better, as Google has proven over the years that its software can enhance its photography with a higher megapixel camera.
Additionally, the Pixel 9a found AI-flavored smorgasbord on the more expensive Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, such as the best portraits, photo Unblur, magic editor, magic editor for eliminating distractions, low-light night scenes and more. 9a even has Add Me, which uses AR and AI to let photographers add themselves to group photos. I’ve used it on my Pixel 9 Pro a few times and I’m always impressed.
Previous Pixel A phones have always had solid B cameras that exceed their price. I don’t think the Pixel 9A shooter will be as good as the ones on the Pixel 9 or 9 Pro, but I’m happy to see how they stay, especially with the new 48 megapixel sensor.
Pixel 9A performance and battery
All colors of pixel 9a.
The Pixel 9a runs on Google’s Tensor G4 chip, the same ones found in the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. This means it can support Google AI capabilities and Gemini. It’s worth noting that the Pixel 9a comes with 8GB of RAM, rather than the 12GB found on the Pixel 9 and 16GB on the 9 Pro. But even with less RAM, Google guarantees the Pixel 9A will receive 7 years of Android OS and security updates (it works out of the box) Android 15).
While the Tensor G4 chip doesn’t receive any awards for its performance in computing or graphics testing, we found it to have enough functionality when it was tested in Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. Whether it’s playing games, unconsciously scrolling news and social feeds, or editing photos only, the G4 chip is consistent in everyday use. I hope that this is the case when I test pixel 9a.
When it comes to power, Google says the Pixel 9a has the largest battery in any Pixel A device. When I saw the battery capacity was listed as 5,100 mah I double checked that I didn’t read the specification Samsung’s new Galaxy A phone exist MWC. Technically, the Pixel 9A has a larger battery than Samsung’s new phones, including the $1,300 Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The current final thoughts of Pixel 9a
The Pixel 9a is available for pre-order and will be available in the store starting March 26.
As far as everything else is concerned, the Pixel 9a has all the pixel features you expect: from theft protection and home links (for restricting access and sharing) to Google services, and more. Surprisingly, the new phone won’t get satellite SOS connectivity like the rest of the Pixel 9 cable, but compromises have to be made to help keep the price alive.
Pixel 9a comes with 128GB or 256GB of storage for three months Google aa three-month YouTube premium and a six-month Fitbit premium. Once I can master it, I look forward to spending more time testing pixel 9a for a full review.
Google Pixel 9A specifications with Pixel 8A, Pixel 9
| Google Pixel 9a | Google Pixel 8a | Google Pixel 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display size, technology, resolution, refresh rate | 6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate | 6.1-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels, 60-120Hz variable refresh rate | 6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate |
| Pixel density | 422 ppi | 430 ppi | 422 ppi |
| Dimensions (in inches) | 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches | 6 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches | 6 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches |
| Dimensions (mm) | 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm | 152 x 74 x 10.2 mm | 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm |
| Weight (g, ounces) | 186G (6.6 oz) | 193 g (6.7 oz) | 198G (7 oz) |
| Mobile software | Android 15 | Android 14 | Android 14 |
| camera | 48 megapixels (width), 13 megapixels (speeding) | 64 megapixels (main), 13 megapixels (speeding) | 50 megapixels (width), 48 megapixels (speeding) |
| Front camera | 13 megapixels | 13 megapixels | 10.5 megapixels |
| Video Capture | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| processor | Google Tensor G4 | Google Tensor G3 | Google Tensor G4 |
| RAM + Storage | 8GB + 128GB, 256GB | 8GB + 128GB, 256GB | 12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB |
| Scalable storage | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing |
| Battery | 5,100 mah | 4,492 mah | 4,700 mah |
| Fingerprint sensor | Under display | Under display | Under display |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing |
| Special features | 7 years of operating system, security and pixel function decline; Gorilla Glass 3 cover glass; IP68 dust and waterproof; 2,700-NIT peak brightness; 1,000,000:1 comparison; 23W fast charging (excluding chargers); 7.5W wireless charging QI certification; Wi-Fi 6e; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; Dual-SIM (Nano Sim + ESIM); Add me; Best Magic Eraser; Magic Editing; Photo Unblur; Super Res Zoom; Circle Search | IP67 grade dust and waterproof; 18W fast charging; 7.5W wireless charging; 5G (5G sub6/mmwave); VPN for Google One; Circle Search; 7 Years Android OS Update; 7 Years Security Update; Best Audio Magic Eraser; Wi-Fi 6e; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; Dual-SIM (Nano SIM + ESIM) | Satellite SOS; 7 years of operating system, security and pixel function drops; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass; IP68 dust and waterproof; 2,700-NIT peak brightness; 45W fast charging (excluding charger); 15W wireless charging with Google Pixel Stand (second generation); 12W wireless quality charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; Dual-SIM (ESIM + NANO SIM); add me; the best magic eraser; magic editor |
| US prices from | $499 (128GB) | $499 (128GB) | $799 (128GB) |
| UK prices from | £499 (128GB) | £499 (128GB) | £799 (128GB) |
| Prices from Australia | AU $849 (128GB) | AU $849 (128GB) | AU $1,349 (128GB) |
