The perfect mid-range cellphone but

After a relatively odd evaluation unit delay that resulted in me receiving my Pixel 9a, just for Google to ask for it to be shipped again just a few days later because of a “element high quality subject,” I lastly bought my fingers on the tech large’s mid-range powerhouse roughly every week in the past.

Like in years previous, the Pixel 9a is a lesser model of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. It options the identical Tensor G4 chip as different Pixel 9 units, a 48-megapixel large and 13-megapixel ultrawide digicam pair with a surprisingly understated bump that I am very keen on, and a formidable show with a 60-120Hz refresh fee — all for a really cheap $500. So far as higher mid-range Android units go, the Pixel 9a is the very best deal on the market on paper.

Even once you examine it on to Apple’s $600 iPhone 16e, it affords higher worth because of its increased refresh fee show, and, relying in your style, extra modern-looking design. At this level, most individuals are firmly planted in both iOS’ or Android’s world and doubtless aren’t seeking to leap ship, however it’s nonetheless value mentioning how the Pixel 9a stacks as much as the iPhone 16e for these contemplating taking the Google plunge.

After utilizing the Pixel 9a for the previous few weeks, I can affirm that it is an all-around stable bundle and affords the very best cellphone worth we have seen in 2025 up to now.

Really helpful

Pixel 9a

Google’s mid-range Pixel 9a affords spectacular high-end options like a 48-megapixel primary shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide digicam with macro, its Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM, all in a cheap $500 bundle.

Execs & Cons

• Value is nice
• 60-120Hz OLED show is spectacular
• Stellar Wanting design

• Digital camera efficiency is not as nice because the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional
• Sizable bezels
• Not each Gemini AI function is accessible

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Value, availability, and specs

Google’s Pixel 9a is accessible from Google and a number of other different retailers for $500. The smartphone contains a 6.3-inch show in comparison with final 12 months’s 6.1-inch 60-120Hz OLED panel. Brightness has additionally elevated this 12 months, hitting 2,700 nits in comparison with 2,000 nits. Nonetheless, the decision continues to be 1080 x 2424 pixels (1080p).

The Pixel 9a options the identical Tensor G4 chip because the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional. RAM is available in at 8GB, with 128GB/256GB storage choices (it could have been nice to see the bottom storage elevated to 256GB with a costlier 512GB choice). The smartphone’s battery is 5,100mAh in comparison with the Pixel 8a’s 4,492mAh cell, giving it the biggest battery within the Pixel 9 lineup. On the digicam aspect, the smartphone contains a f/1.7 48-megapixel primary shooter and a f/2.2 13-megapixel ultra-wide digicam on its rear (with assist for macro photographs for the primary time). The entrance of the cellphone consists of an f/2.2 13-megapixel digicam.

The Pixel 9a would not have a particular launch date, however Google says it will likely be accessible beginning in April (probably late April, is my greatest guess). Different notable specs embrace IP68 water and mud resistance, over final 12 months’s IP67 (it might now deal with being submerged in 20 ft (6 metres) for half-hour. This 12 months’s colours embrace iris, peony, porcelain, and obsidian. Pink (peony) is featured on this evaluation — it isn’t fully my style, however I really like how a lot it pops. And eventually, Google says that the Pixel 9a will obtain seven years of working system and safety updates.

What I favored concerning the Pixel 9a

Spectacular energy and stable digicam efficiency galore

The very first thing I famous concerning the Pixel 9a is how nice it feels in my hand. Much like the iPhone 16e, regardless of the mid-range worth, the Pixel 9a feels very premium, all the way down to its distinctive digicam bump. As a substitute of the recognizable Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional digicam array visor, the Pixel 9a contains a recessed twin digicam bump.

As a aspect notice, this permits the Pixel 9a to take a seat flat on a desk, which I appreciated excess of I anticipated. In an trade filled with large digicam arrays, a slimmed-down digicam bump is refreshing and one thing I hope makes its strategy to the Pixel 10 line. I additionally just like the smudge-resistant matte rear and its clean aluminum sides. Regardless of its mid-range label, the Pixel 9a feels decidedly high-end.

Like final 12 months’s Pixel 8a, the Pixel 9a’s OLED display seems to be nice. It may not be as vivid because the Pixel 9’s and the Pixel 9 Professional’s display, however it nonetheless seems to be stellar because of its 60-120Hz refresh fee, a function the iPhone 16e sorely lacks. The cellphone additionally snaps glorious images, although low-light efficiency lags behind the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional. Photographs are usually barely much less sharp and slightly noisier, too, in comparison with the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Professional, and even Apple’s mid-range competitor, the iPhone 16e. That stated, the Pixel 9a snaps nice images most individuals can be pleased with, particularly within the context of a mid-range smartphone.

Oddly, the brand new macro mode would not use the Pixel 9a’s ultra-wide shooter like most smartphones; as an alternative, it opts for the principle digicam. The macro is fairly good for a mid-range cellphone and snaps first rate close-up images, although I can not at all times get as near topics as I need to in comparison with the Pixel 9 Professional’s macro mode. On the plus aspect, the odd distortion that occurs with macro ultrawide lenses is not a factor with the Pixel 9a. Like with all telephones that do not function a devoted optical zoom lens, I miss getting a bit nearer to no matter I am capturing (although there’s decent-looking 2x sensor crop zoom).

Because of the Tensor G4 chip and 8GB of RAM, efficiency has been clean, whether or not I am enjoying video games, looking for a put up in my T̶w̶i̶t̶t̶e̶r̶ X feed that is not offensive, or testing Gemini options like Magic Editor’s Auto Body, Circle to Search, Finest Take and Add Me, which all work nice on the Pixel 9a. Whereas helpful Gemini performance like Pixel Screenshots app and Name Notes is not a part of the Pixel 9a’s array of AI options, I discovered I did not miss them very a lot. For those who care about benchmarks, the Pixel 9a’s Tensor G4 hits 1,721 for single-core and 4,425 for multi-core efficiency in Geekbench 6.

Battery life has been stable, with the Pixel 9a pushing nicely into the night so long as my utilization stays reasonable. This features a little bit of doomscrolling, enjoying the occasional sport, sending texts, and snapping just a few images. That is probably as a result of smartphone’s greater battery, however I additionally did not expertise battery life points with the Pixel 8a regardless of its smaller cell.

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What I did not like concerning the Pixel 9a

These are some large bezels

Whereas I just like the slight digicam bump and high-quality show, the Pixel 9a’s show bezels are fairly massive. Similar to with the iPhone 16e, that is disappointing, however I do not suppose it is one thing the common individual curious about Google’s mid-range cellphone will care about. Nonetheless, it is value noting should you’re coming to the Pixel 9a from a higher-end smartphone.

Like I discussed earlier than, I want the Pixel 9a featured an ultrawide lens and never a zoom lens, although that is widespread with entry-level-to-mid-range smartphones. 8x digital SuperRes zoom is an okay substitute, however I discovered the picture high quality considerably disappointing.

There’s additionally solely 8GB of RAM within the Pixel 9a in comparison with the Pixel 9’s 12GB, however in my expertise, the smartphone’s efficiency continues to be stable. One other draw back is that solely the Pixel 9a’s entrance display options Gorilla Glass, its rear is plastic. With long-term use, this might end in sturdiness points. The Pixel 9a additionally solely helps 23W wired charging, a step above the 18W the Pixel 8a provided. That stated, it is nonetheless behind the Pixel 9 collection’ skill to cost at 27W. This implies it’ll take slightly longer to juice up your cellphone should you’re on the lookout for a fast cost. Fortunately, the Pixel 9a helps Qi wi-fi charging, although.

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Must you purchase the Pixel 9a?

In the event you’re on the lookout for an higher mid-range cellphone, the Pixel 9a is the very best accessible

In the event you’re curious about a Pixel 9a, you might want to resolve if the improve to the pricier Pixel 9 is value it for you. Given the minimal function variations and the truth that the $500 Pixel 9a prices $300 lower than the $800 Pixel 9, you’d have to actually care about optical zoom, just a few additional Gemini options, and a barely nicer show to justify that value. For most individuals, the reply is straightforward — save a bit of cash and purchase the Pixel 9a as an alternative.

In the event you’re an Android consumer, the Pixel 9a presently affords the very best worth on the market. Even within the context of Apple’s ecosystem, the Pixel 9a bests the iPhone 16e in practically each class. As actually every thing will get more and more costly, many individuals are probably on the lookout for methods to chop prices. If choosing up a less expensive smartphone is one thing you are fascinated with doing, the Pixel 9a is a feature-rich different to far costlier high-end units. It is an all-around stable smartphone with only a few downsides when its cheap $500 worth is taken into account.

Really helpful

Google Pixel 9a

Google’s mid-range Pixel 9a affords spectacular high-end options like a 48-megapixel primary shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide digicam with macro, its Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM, all in a cheap $500 bundle.