This mid-range smartphone can outsell iPhone 16e in 2025

The smartphone surprises with features and price

From the front, the Pixel 9a is almost identical to the standard Pixel 9. It has the same 6.3-inch display with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and an impressive peak brightness of 2,700 nits. Inside is a Tensor G4 chip, the same as in more expensive models, as well as useful features including an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and standard seven-year support for OS updates, new features, and security patches from Google.

However, Google surprised us by equipping the 9a with a 5,100 mAh battery, which is the largest battery in the entire Pixel 9 lineup, including the Pixel 9 Pro XL (5,060 mAh), albeit by a small margin. The company claims that this gives the 9a the best battery life of any current Pixel model.

If you flip the smartphone over, you'll notice some changes, such as the new Iris Purple color, which joins the Peony, Porcelain, and Obsidian color palette. But the most noticeable change is the absence of the usual horizontal camera bar, which has been present on all Google devices since Pixel 6. Instead, there is a small window camera, the shape of which, according to Google, is inspired by a drop of water.

Unfortunately, the smartphone does not have a separate telephoto lens with optical zoom, although it supports 8x SuperRes digital zoom. The main camera is a 48MP sensor, similar to the sensor from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but slightly different, and the ultra-wide-angle camera has a 13MP sensor.

The 9a also features AI Macro Focus, which allows you to take macro shots, and also offers proprietary photo processing tools such as Add Me, Best Take, Magic Editor, and more.

Google Pixel 9a (photo: Engadget)

It is important to note that thanks to the Tensor G4 chip, the smartphone supports all AI features of the Pixel 9 line. These include Gemini Live Video, the Pixel Recorder app, Pixel Studio, and security tools such as Google VPN and accident detection.

Google is confident in its new device and claims that the Pixel 9a will be the best camera smartphone in the under $500 category. It's a bold claim, but given Google's advanced image processing algorithms, it doesn't seem too exaggerated. And with a starting price of $499, the 9a fits perfectly into this price segment.

But what's the catch? Why is it $300 cheaper than the regular Pixel 9? The main difference is that Google hasn't improved the speed of wired (23W) and wireless (7.5W) charging, which are quite slow by flagship standards. The 9a also has less RAM - 8 GB versus 12 GB for the older model.

In addition, its screen is protected by Gorilla Glass, and the back panel is made of plastic containing 85% recycled materials. However, given the difference in price, these compromises are quite justified.

The Google Pixel 9a will go on sale in April for a price of $499 for the version with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage (a 256 GB model will be available). The purchase comes with a three-month subscription to Google One and YouTube Premium, as well as a six-month trial access to Fitbit Premium.

Google Pixel 9a (photo: Engadget)

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