The very best mid-range telephone but

After a fairly odd evaluate 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 resulting from a “element high quality problem,” I lastly bought my fingers on the tech big’s mid-range powerhouse roughly per 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 gadgets, a 48-megapixel extensive and 13-megapixel ultrawide digicam pair with a surprisingly understated bump that I am very keen on, and a powerful show with a 60- 120Hz refresh charge — all for a really cheap $500. So far as higher mid-range Android gadgets go, the Pixel 9a is the very best deal on the market on paper.

And even while you evaluate it on to Apple’s $600 iPhone 16e, it provides higher worth because of its increased refresh charge 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 trying to leap ship, however it’s nonetheless price 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 verify that it is an all-around stable smartphone package deal and provides the very best smartphone worth we have seen in 2025 up to now.

Beneficial

Pixel 9a

Google’s mid-range Pixel 9a provides spectacular high-end options like a 48-megapixel major shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide digicam with macro, its Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM, all in an economical $500 package deal.

Professionals & Cons

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

• Digicam efficiency is not as nice because the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional
• Sizable bezels
• Not each Gemini AI function is offered

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Worth, availability, and specs

Google’s Pixel 9a is offered 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 might have been nice to see the bottom storage elevated to 256GB with a dearer 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 facet, the smartphone contains a f/1.7 48-megapixel major shooter and a f/2.2 13-megapixel ultra-wide digicam on its rear (with help for macro pictures for the primary time). The entrance of the telephone consists of an f/2.2 13-megapixel digicam.

The Pixel 9a would not have a selected launch date, however Google says it will likely be obtainable beginning in April (possible late April, is my greatest guess). Different notable specs embrace IP68 water and mud resistance over final 12 months’s IP67. This 12 months’s colours embrace iris, peony, porcelain, and obsidian. Pink (peony) is featured on this evaluate — it isn’t fully my style, however I like how a lot it pops. And at last, Google says that the Pixel 9a will obtain seven years of working system and safety updates.

What I favored in regards to the Pixel 9a

Spectacular energy and digicam efficiency galore

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

As a facet be aware, this enables the Pixel 9a to sit down flat on a desk, which I appreciated way over I anticipated. In an business filled with large digicam arrays, a slimmed-down digicam bump is refreshing and one thing I hope makes its approach to the Pixel 10 line. I additionally just like the smudge-resistant matte rear and its easy 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 screen appears nice. It won’t be fairly as vivid because the Pixel 9’s and the Pixel 9 Professional’s display screen, however it nonetheless appears stellar because of its 60-120Hz refresh charge, a function the iPhone 16e sorely lacks. The telephone additionally takes wonderful photographs, although low-light efficiency lags behind the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional. Pictures are typically barely much less sharp and a bit of 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 photographs most individuals will probably be pleased with.

Oddly, the brand new macro mode would not use the Pixel 9a’s ultra-wide shooter like most smartphones; as a substitute, it opts for the principle digicam. The macro is fairly good for a mid-range telephone and snaps first rate close-up photographs, although I can not at all times get as near topics as I need to in comparison with macro mode with the Pixel 9 Professional. On the plus facet, the odd distortion that happens 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 taking pictures (although there’s a decent-looking 2x sensor crop zoom).

Because of the Tensor G4 chip and 8GB of RAM, efficiency has been easy, whether or not I am taking part in video games, looking for a submit 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 that 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 effectively into the night so long as my utilization stays reasonable. This features a little bit of doomscrolling, taking part in the occasional sport, sending texts, and snapping some photographs. That is possible as a result of smartphone’s larger 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 in regards to 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 huge. Similar to with the iPhone 16e, that is disappointing, however I do not suppose it is one thing the typical individual taken with Google’s mid-range telephone will care about. Nonetheless, it is price noting in case 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 screen options Gorilla Glass, its rear is plastic. With long-term use, this might lead to sturdiness points. The Pixel 9a additionally solely helps 23W wired charging, which is a step above the 18W the Pixel 8a provided. That stated, it is nonetheless behind the Pixel 9 sequence’ capacity to cost at 27W. This implies it’ll take a bit of bit longer to juice up your telephone in case you’re searching for a fast cost. Fortunately, the Pixel 9a helps wi-fi charging, although.

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Do you have to purchase the Pixel 9a?

When you’re searching for an higher mid-range telephone, the Pixel 9a is the very best obtainable

When you’re taken with a Pixel 9a, you must resolve if the improve to the pricier Pixel 9 is price it for you. Given the function variations are minimal and the $800 Pixel 9a prices $300 much less, you’d want to actually care about optical zoom, just a few additional Gemini options, and a barely nicer show to justify that price improve. For most individuals, the reply is easy — save a bit of cash and purchase the Pixel 9a as a substitute.

When you’re an Android consumer, the Pixel 9a provides the very best worth on the market at the moment. Even within the context of Apple’s ecosystem, the Pixel 9a bests the iPhone 16e in almost each class. As actually every part will get more and more costly, many individuals are possible searching for methods to chop prices. If choosing up a less expensive smartphone is one thing you are fascinated about doing, the Pixel 9a is a feature-rich various to far dearer high-end gadgets. It is an all-around stable smartphone with only a few downsides when its very cheap $500 value is taken into account.

Beneficial

Google Pixel 9a

Google’s mid-range Pixel 9a provides spectacular high-end options like a 48-megapixel major shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide digicam with macro, its Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM, all in an economical $500 package deal.