Since Google only offers one midrange phone model, the Pixel A series is always eagerly awaited by potential new customers. You still get a lot of the features that make Pixel phones so fantastic in the first place, even though the price is lower than usual. This includes (but is not limited to) the most recent Android release, the newest processor generation, and the “Pixel Feature Drops” that improve the phone’s software over time.
Up until last year, the Pixel had the same recognizable appearance, albeit in a somewhat diluted form. The Geordi LaForge camera visor on the back, which is a distinctive feature of Pixel phones, was retained in the Pixel a-series, including the Google Pixel 8a that we tested last year. That changes this year; for better or worse, the design is very different.
However, the remaining goodies are still there. I’ve always loved testing the Pixel, and this version is no different. It’s a really good phone. This is my comprehensive evaluation of the Pixel 9a, which I have been using on T-Mobile’s network in my hometown of suburban Chicago for just under a week.
Goodbye, signature
Let’s get this out of the way as soon as possible. I don’t like how the Pixel 9a’s rear looks. With the Pixel 9a, Google took a chance by giving the series its own unique design identity, which is perfectly OK if you want that identity to be “boring.”
In other words, this phone lost its design identity and gained its own. You cannot take away a trademark aspect and declare that you haven’t replaced it with anything else. The power button above the volume rocker element, which Google just won’t position in the right sequence, is about the only thing that makes the phone stand different, and even that is shared by all other Pixels. I might be droning on now. I’m not sorry.
One aspect that might prove refreshing is that Google finally implemented the suggestions made by every commentator on every article and video about a phone with a camera hump. “Why not give the phone a flat back and fill out the space with more battery?” Even though Google succeeded in cramming a massive 5,100 mAh battery into this frame, the phone’s back is still not completely flat. Even though the camera dome protrudes by only a millimeter, it is nevertheless noteworthy.
Interior flagship-like specifications
The Tensor G4 CPU, 8GB of RAM (which is rather common these days for midrange phones), and 128 GB of storage—which is arguably becoming a bit meager these days—are the first three features that make the Pixel 9a series appealing beneath that uninteresting look. Again, though, you can’t complain because this is a midrange phone.
Bezels around the edge that you may park a small car on are the second major unfavorable feature of the 6.3-inch Actua display on the front. If you’re used to devices with much smaller gaps between the display and the edge, the gutters around the edge are a little off-putting, even while the LCD itself is fantastic and colorful.
A pleasant improvement over the Pixel 8a is the addition of IP68 water and dust resistance. We’ll talk more about the “redesigned” camera later. In the meantime, the specs sheet shows that it has 48 megapixels.
The Pixel software remains unchanged.
On the other hand, the software is arguably the primary reason you purchase a Pixel phone; it’s just amazing. If I had to choose only one software experience, I would probably rank the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro at the top, but Pixel software would have to come in a very close second. It’s simply amazing.
The whole Pixel interface is centered around a clean experience everywhere you go, and of course the fact that everything defaults to Google apps rather than some bolted-on supplementary Calendar or Clock app is refreshing. Except for the half of Google services you don’t use (I’m referring to you, Google Podcasts), there is essentially no bloatware.
In addition to Google’s largely quarterly Pixel Feature Drops, which add and/or improve the software experience as your Pixel ages, the Pixel software experience also benefits from seven years of operating system and security updates. Some phone manufacturers haven’t yet matched that schedule, but many others are (I’m looking at you, Motorola).
Additionally, the Pixel is among the phones that can use its fingerprint sensor or front-facing camera for biometric authentication, which is useful when you’re unlocking in the rain or wearing gloves. It also works with password managers like 1Password, which is fantastic.
Performance and battery
The Tensor G4 processor isn’t a top performance when compared to the likes of the A18 Pro in the iPhone 16 Pro nor the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – which is actually the quickest phone you can buy in the U.S. (as of testing done in Q1 2025). However, Google’s premium phone line, which includes the Pixel 9 Pro, comes with the same processor. That indicates that it has some chutzpah and is maybe among the quickest processors available for under $500, which is unquestionably not insignificant.
This phone has 1,678 and 4,216 single and multi-core scores according to Geekbench. Once more, those are respectable, particularly for a midrange phone. Playing games like “Call of Duty: Mobile” and “Asphalt Legends” doesn’t lag or stutter at all.
Regarding the battery, I haven’t had the phone for more than a week, so I can’t say for sure, but it works really well. It can run for two days on a single charge, which includes some photo and video taking and a respectable length of time off Wi-Fi on Day 1. This can be the best Pixel for you if you want to avoid charging for as long as possible.
Cameras are really good
Although the on-paper drop from a 64-megapixel sensor in the Pixel 8a to a 48-megapixel sensor in the Pixel 9a seemed alarming at first, I can assure you that there is no cause for panic. Pixels have always been known for their cameras. The camera performs really well throughout the day, catching a wide range of scenes with excellent clarity and color reproduction, including moving objects. Even moving subjects are caught in high detail, such as an 8-year-old jogging as only 8-year-olds are capable of running. Even while strolling without a topic in the frame, video capturing is essentially the same.
Both portrait and macro photographs are excellent. Extremely small details are captured in macro photographs, which also break up background bokeh. In contrast, portraiture preserves the subject’s hair strands, which are a problem for hippies like me. In general, I don’t have any issues with the camera setup throughout the day.
Also, night shots are really good.
The Pixel 9a performs admirably, even at night, when many midrange cameras are expected to fail. Darker regions have a good degree of grain, which is unsettling at 100% crop, but it is much less evident when scaled down to the size of a computer screen or even a phone screen. Other subjects and landscapes are fine, however moving subjects create hazy blobs, so make sure everyone stays absolutely still for pictures.
It treats light sources strangely when you switch to the ultrawide lens, transforming them into cat’s eyes with lasers pointing up and down. Additionally, there is still some judder when walking at night, although it is negligible when a subject is in the picture, and it is still on par with many flagships when there is no subject.
Apart from my constant gripe about the absence of telephoto, there isn’t much to be unhappy about with this camera set overall. These days, even mid-range phones have them, so it’s time for the less expensive Pixels to have them as well.
Cost, availability, and review of the Pixel 9a
The Pixel 9a costs $499, which is a reasonable middle price. Both the Google Store on Amazon and Google’s Play store sell it. On April 10, it will debut in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Other nations will follow on April 14 and 16, respectively. If you’ve been following along, you’ve probably heard that Google has postponed the release of the Pixel 9a. This is Google’s official response to my question about it:
“There is no truth to the rumors and conjecture around this postponement. We had to make the difficult choice to delay the Pixel 9a’s release and take corrective action on the few impacted units because a passive component failed to fulfill our strict quality criteria for device longevity.
Personally, I had no issues using this phone. All in all, I love this tiny phone. My biggest complaint is with the design, which seems drab and a little too 2015-ish for my taste. “No style” doesn’t feel like a style, and this is coming from a man who literally wears plain t-shirts and pocket jeans every day. If Google wants to give this phone series its own look, I’m down for it.
Beyond the design, this is a pretty decent phone for the money provided you can accept the appearance and the absence of a telephoto camera, which is usually a deal-breaker for me. However, it’s also crucial to keep in mind that there is a phone called the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro, which fixes both of my issues with this one and costs $40 less to ship to the United States if you don’t mind navigating a little red tape. However, this is the phone to purchase if all you want is a phone that performs many of the functions of Google’s flagships without the high price tag.