Google Pixel 9a Review: Packs flagship power, great cameras and clean software in elegant chassis

The Hindu

25-04-2025

Google has finally launched the Pixel 9a in India after the slight bump at the start of its journey due to a 'component quality issue.' The new phone is tagged as a 'budget phone' from the company, priced at ₹49,999 in India. The new Pixel 9a packs the power and performance of its flagship siblings as it is powered by Google Tensor G4, the same processor seen in the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. That being said, let's find out if the new Pixel 9a justifies being labelled a 'budget phone.'
Design
One of the most impressive aspects of the Pixel 9a is its clean and understated design. The phone feels compact and lightweight in the hand. Google has kept the design minimal, and one of our favorite things is the absence of the typical camera bumps seen on other Pixel 9 series devices. The rear camera module is housed in a plain capsule design that doesn't protrude, which means the phone doesn't wobble when placed on a flat surface.
From the front, the phone has a strong resemblance to an iPhone, a sentiment echoed by several people who saw me using the device. The flat display with its slightly curved corners gives off a modern vibe, but the wide bezels around the screen are a surprise, especially in 2025. That's the only area where the design feels like a step back. The rear is made from a composite matte material that feels nice to the touch, and the satin metal frame adds a touch of sophistication. However, the back does feel slippery, so I'd strongly recommend getting a case for a better grip.
The IP68 certification ensures durability against dust and water, which is a great addition at this price point. All the ports and buttons are well-placed, responsive, and tactile as expected. The dual rear cameras and LED flash are positioned just outside the pill frame, keeping the back sleek and balanced. Overall, the design is one of Pixel 9a's strongest suits—clean, elegant, and practical.
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Display
The Pixel 9a sports a 6.3-inch Actua display with a 20:9 aspect ratio and an OLED panel that delivers a crisp 1080x2424 resolution. With a pixel density of 422.2 ppi, everything from scrolling through web pages to watching videos looks sharp and detailed. The support for HDR and full 24-bit color depth means content comes alive on the screen, offering vibrant colors and deep contrast with a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
The refresh rate ranges between 60–120 Hz, which keeps animations smooth and interactions responsive. The brightness tops out at 2,700 nits (peak) and up to 1,800 nits in HDR mode, which means outdoor visibility is not an issue at all, even under harsh sunlight. Whether you're watching Netflix or editing photos, the display ensures a delightful visual experience.
OS and AI
The Pixel 9a comes with Android 15 right out of the box, and it continues Google's tradition of offering a clean, bloat-free experience. The interface is smooth, intuitive, and clutter-free, just as you'd expect from a Pixel. But where it really stands out is the long-term support: Google is promising 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates—a level of commitment that's unmatched in this segment.
AI is deeply woven into the OS experience—from intelligent suggestions to on-device features like Magic Eraser, Best Take, and Photo Unblur, which make photo editing a breeze. Google's AI-driven features like Emergency SOS, Crash Detection, and Crisis Alerts add another layer of usability, especially in real-life scenarios.
Performance
Powered by the same Tensor G4 chip that runs the flagship Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, the Pixel 9a delivers solid performance across the board. Paired with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, the phone handles daily tasks like multitasking, browsing, streaming, and casual photography effortlessly. The UI flows smoothly, apps open quickly, and there's no noticeable lag in everyday use.
Gaming and graphic-intensive tasks are handled well, too. Titles like Call of Duty Mobile and Asphalt 9 run comfortably at high settings. The GPU score of 7743 on benchmarks reflects this, and you can feel the performance bump over older Pixel A-series models. It's not meant to be a gaming beast, but for its range, I will say that it is good.
On the Geekbench side, the Pixel 9a scores 1667 (single-core) and 3786 (multi-core), which are very respectable numbers. These numbers translate well into real-world use, where the phone maintains its composure under load, even with multiple apps running in the background.
Camera
The new Pixel 9a brought back memories of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 3—the kind of camera experience that just clicks, pun intended. Straight out of the box, the camera delivers a familiar Pixel magic. The rear setup consists of a 48 MP wide lens and a 13 MP ultrawide lens. The front has a 13 MP selfie camera with an ultrawide 96.1° field of view.
Daylight photography is where the Pixel 9a shines bright. The colours are natural, shadows are well-balanced, and the overall dynamic range is on point. Even without tweaking, the photos come out looking Instagram-ready. The wide lens with OIS and Super Res Zoom up to 8x helps in capturing sharp and detailed shots, while the ultrawide lens is perfect for landscapes and group photos.
Portrait mode delivers good edge detection, and the background blur is tastefully done without being too aggressive. Whether it's pets, people, or objects, the subject separation is consistently accurate. It feels like the software and hardware work in perfect sync here.
Night Sight continues to be a standout feature. Low-light photos are detailed with minimal noise, and the Night Mode kicks in just when you need it. Add features like Long Exposure and Astrophotography, and you have a versatile setup that punches above its weight.
Selfies taken with the 13 MP front camera are wide, sharp, and full of detail. Whether it's a single shot or a group selfie, the front camera handles exposure and skin tones quite well. The Real Tone and Face Unblur features ensure your selfies always look their best, even in tricky lighting.
Battery
Battery performance is another area where the Pixel 9a scores big. The 5,100 mAh battery is the largest among the latest Pixel lineup and offers more juice than both the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. It easily lasts over 30 hours on regular use, and if you're in a pinch, the Extreme Battery Saver mode can stretch that up to 100 hours.
Charging is fast and efficient. The phone supports fast charging as well as Qi-certified wireless charging, adding flexibility to how you top up your battery. While it may not charge as rapidly as some competitors, it's more than adequate for most users.
Verdict
The Google Pixel 9a is a solid, well-rounded phone that packs flagship power, great cameras, and clean software — all in a design that's both functional and elegant. It ticks almost every box for a budget flagship, and in many ways, it over-delivers.
That said, the price tag is going to repel some users. If Google can reconsider the pricing and bring it down a notch, which it usually does sometime after the launch, I genuinely believe the Pixel 9a could become a crowd favorite. For now, it's one of the most interesting and capable phones in its category — if you're willing to stretch your budget just a bit.