Google's newest budget-friendly Pixel phone delivers significant value among Android devices, rivaling the performance of some higher-priced models.
The Pixel 9a is priced at £499 (€549/$499/A$849), matching the cost of its predecessor. This positions it approximately £300 less than the standard Google Pixel 9, placing it in competition with mid-range phones like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro and Samsung Galaxy A56.
Google has continued its established A-series strategy, equipping the 9a with high-end specifications, processors, and cameras, while making targeted reductions to lower the overall cost. This approach results in a highly appealing product for its price range.
The phone features a 6.3-inch OLED screen that is sharp, fluid, and bright, outperforming many more expensive competitors. While the bezels are slightly thicker than those on the Pixel 9, it retains the premium aluminum frame. The rear panel is made of high-quality plastic instead of glass, a distinction that is not immediately apparent. The 9a also features IP68 water resistance.
A notable design change is the removal of the prominent camera bar on the rear. The dual cameras are now situated almost flush within a small black oval. This allows the phone to lie flat on surfaces and gives it a sleeker profile, though it also results in a more conventional appearance compared to other Google phone designs.
Specifications
- Screen: 6.3in 120Hz FHD+ OLED (422ppi)
- Processor: Google Tensor G4
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128 or 256GB
- Operating system: Android 15
- Camera: 48MP + 13MP ultrawide, 13MP selfie
- Connectivity: 5G, Sim/eSim, wifi 6E, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3 and GNSS
- Water resistance: IP68 (1m for 30 minutes)
- Dimensions: 157.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm
- Weight: 185.9g
Tensor G4 and Google AI
Internally, the 9a includes the Google Tensor G4 chip, similar to the rest of the Pixel 9 series, but it has 8GB of RAM, less than the 12GB in the higher-end models. The chip ensures fast and responsive performance, suitable for gaming and general use, although it may not lead in raw performance benchmarks compared to other chips.
The battery provides extended life, lasting up to 57 hours between charges under light use, including nine hours of screen time and five hours on 5G. This exceeds the battery performance of other Google Pixel models, potentially lasting up to two days, comparable to other long-lasting phones.
The reduced RAM compared to the Pixel 9 may not be noticeable for everyday tasks but limits the ability to run Google’s AI systems locally. The 9a uses a streamlined version of Google’s Gemini AI, which can only process text on the device, excluding some advanced audio or image-based tools like Pixel Screenshots and Call Notes available on the Pixel 9.
All Gemini features that use web processing, such as Gemini Live, function effectively, as do the photo editing and image generation tools. The 9a can also summarize voice recordings, but is limited to recordings shorter than 15 minutes due to word count restrictions.
The Android 15 experience is consistent with other Pixel phones, offering a user-friendly interface. Google provides seven years of software support for its Pixel devices, extending the usable lifespan of the 9a beyond that of many mid-range competitors.
Camera
Google’s Pixel phones are known for their camera quality, and the 9a is no exception. It features a 48-megapixel main camera and a 13MP ultrawide lens, similar to the previous model.
The main camera captures photos that rival those from many flagship phones and closely matches the Pixel 9 in low-light conditions, though it may require slightly longer to capture the image. Photos exhibit detail and balanced exposure across various lighting conditions, and the ultrawide lens remains a strong option. The main camera provides a 2x zoom, which can be extended to 8x with noticeable digital artifacts.
The 9a introduces a macrophotography mode using the main camera, which can produce detailed shots, although it sometimes struggles with focus and sharpness at the edges. The front-facing selfie camera and video capture capabilities are also high-quality.
The 9a includes the Best Take and Add Me AI features from the Pixel 9, along with AI editing tools in Google Photos, such as Magic Editor, unblur, and audio magic eraser.
Sustainability
Google states that the battery is designed to maintain at least 80% of its original capacity after approximately 1,000 full charge cycles. The phone can be repaired by Google and authorized third-party repair shops, with genuine replacement parts available through iFixit.
The Pixel 9a incorporates recycled aluminum, glass, plastic, and tin, comprising at least 23% of the phone’s weight. Google publishes an environmental impact report for the phone and offers free recycling for old devices.
Price
The Google Pixel 9a is available for £499 (€549/$499/A$849).
For comparison, the Pixel 9 is priced at £799, the Samsung Galaxy A56 at £499, the Nothing Phone 3a Pro at £449, and the Apple iPhone 16e at £599.
Verdict
The Pixel 9a demonstrates Google's expertise in creating a budget-friendly phone that competes effectively with mid-range and flagship models.
Its combination of a high-end chip, long battery life, quality screen, and camera performance surpasses that of more expensive phones. Google’s software and seven years of support enhance its value.
While some compromises have been made to reduce the price, they are not significant in everyday use. The absence of features like wifi 7, satellite messaging, spatial audio, and the use of a plastic back are reasonable trade-offs at this price point.
Although more expensive Pixel phones offer additional features, the Pixel 9a is a standout choice. It is a top-tier mid-range phone for users seeking a high-quality experience at a lower cost.
Pros: seven years of software updates, high-quality camera, good screen, top-tier chip, long battery life, recycled materials, AI features, lower price than high-end phones.
Cons: generic design, no optical zoom, raw performance not the best, plastic back, no built-in spatial audio, no wifi 7 or satellite messaging, older Gorilla Glass 3.
