Google Pixel 9a Brings Bigger Battery, Better Ai For The Same $499

Google Pixel 9a

After nan first hiccup successful availability, Google’s caller affordable telephone is yet disposable for purchase. The Pixel 9a adds a bunch of useful upgrades. It comes pinch a caller camera sensor, a faster processor, much AI features (some really useful and accurate), and a large battery. Unlike Apple, Google didn’t raise nan value of its fund offering this year. The Pixel 9a debuts astatine nan aforesaid $499 arsenic nan Pixel 8a – $100 cheaper than nan iPhone 16e.

I’ve utilized nan caller Google Pixel telephone for a mates of days, and present are 5 things you should cognize earlier buying one.

1. Less Inspiring, But Cleaner Design

Pixel 9a camera module and level sides

Google is moving distant from its signature look connected nan Pixel 9a. It nary longer features nan Pixel Camera Bar – thing Google takes capable pridefulness successful to constitute a blog post. However, this makes measurement for a cleaner-looking phone, astatine slightest from nan back. The dual-camera module sits virtually flush and borrows nan level sides from nan Pixel 9 and 9 Pro.

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I person nan Iris colorway, and I emotion it. It looks purple aliases blue, depending connected nan lighting, and feels bully successful hand. It’s made of integrative but comes pinch an IP68 standing for particulate and h2o resistance, which is simply a measurement up from nan Pixel 8a’s IP67. Overall, nan Pixel 9a has coagulated build value contempt having little ocular personality.

2. The Display Is A Mixed Bag

Google Pixel 9a display

The Google Pixel 9a sports a 6.3-inch surface pinch a 2424 x 1080-pixel solution and a 120Hz move refresh rate. It supports 2,700 nits of highest brightness for HDR content. On apical of it, you’ll find nan aforesaid Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection arsenic nan Pixel 8a.

While it gets agleam capable for browsing aliases doomscrolling, I struggled to spot nan camera viewfinder successful nonstop sunlight. The Adaptive Brightness mounting is finicky, and moreover aft manually maxing retired brightness, it wasn’t capable to threat photos comfortably outdoors. Also, nan heavy bezels make it look little modern. You’ll astir apt get utilized to it, but it’s worthy noting.

3. Same Chipset As The More Expensive Pixel 9

Google Pixel 9a successful Iris variant

The Pixel 9a features nan aforesaid in-house Tensor G4 arsenic nan Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. However, it gets 8GB of RAM alternatively of 12GB. In mundane use, it’s accelerated and snappy. I didn’t announcement immoderate stutter aliases lag while multitasking aliases browsing. It’s not built for gaming (check retired nan OnePlus 13R if that’s your thing), but it’s bully capable for astir tasks.

That said, I’m skeptical astir really it’ll clasp up successful 2 years, arsenic nan world moves toward AI-first phones that request much RAM.

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The Pixel 9a packs a ample 5,100mAh artillery supporting 23W wired charging and 7.5W Qi wireless charging (the faster 15W Qi2 modular is absent). I haven’t utilized it agelong capable to corroborate artillery longevity, but truthful far, it seems connected par pinch nan Pixel 8a’s mean artillery life. Hopefully, it’ll amended successful a week of use.

4. The Little Google Perks

Google Pixel 9a Gemini

Google’s AI features are what group nan Pixel 9a apart. It supports respective versions of Gemini, including 2.0 Flash, 2.0 Flash Thinking, 2.5 Pro, Deep Research, and Personalization.

My favourite caller AI characteristic is Gemini Live video (requires a Gemini Advanced subscription), which helped maine fig retired which sofa would champion suit my surviving room. It’s awesome for pointing your camera astatine your surroundings and asking questions to ideate aliases brainstorm.

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Gemini Live video is simply a refreshing measurement to interact pinch your phone, though it still needs to beryllium much reliable for conversations. It’s improved since I tested Conversation Mode successful nan Pixel Buds Pro 2 review, but there’s still room to grow. Other nosy AI devices see Add Me, Best Take, Pixel Studio, and much statement tricks.

5. Decent Cameras For A $499 Phone

Google Pixel 9a Camera viewfinder

The Pixel 9a swaps nan 64MP sensor connected its predecessor for a 48MP main camera. Both usage pixel binning to harvester groups of 4 pixels for amended image quality. It’s paired pinch a 13MP ultrawide camera. I haven’t noticed a immense leap successful photograph value complete nan Pixel 8a.

Pixel 9a 2x and macro mode

You besides get a macro mode pinch nan main sensor to sprout close-ups. The results are decent. Portraits show a somewhat improved inheritance blur, and shadows transportation much detail. Night mode, however, is average. Overall, nan Pixel 9a offers a good camera setup for a $499 phone.

Who Is The Google Pixel 9a For?

Google Pixel 9a

The Pixel 9a is simply a value-for-money telephone pinch Google’s package advantages and tons of useful AI tools. It delivers coagulated hardware, nan aforesaid chipset arsenic pricier Pixel phones, and a decent display, camera, and artillery life. It’s a smart prime for anyone upgrading from a three- aliases four-year-old Pixel.

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However, location are compelling alternatives to consider. The caller Moto G Stylus has a amended show and a bully capable processor. Meanwhile, nan $599 OnePlus 13R offers nan champion surface successful nan conception pinch flagship-level performance, acknowledgment to nan Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.