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

Forbes

10-04-2025

Google Pixel 9a
After the initial hiccup in availability, Google's new affordable phone is finally available for purchase. The Pixel 9a adds a bunch of useful upgrades. It comes with a new camera sensor, a faster processor, more AI features (some actually useful and accurate), and a big battery. Unlike Apple, Google didn't raise the price of its budget offering this year. The Pixel 9a debuts at the same $499 as the Pixel 8a – $100 cheaper than the iPhone 16e.
I've used the new Google Pixel phone for a couple of days, and here are five things you should know before buying one.
Pixel 9a camera module and flat sides
Google is moving away from its signature look on the Pixel 9a. It no longer features the Pixel Camera Bar – something Google takes enough pride in to write a blog post. However, this makes way for a cleaner-looking phone, at least from the back. The dual-camera module sits virtually flush and borrows the flat sides from the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro.
I have the Iris colorway, and I love it. It looks purple or blue, depending on the lighting, and feels good in hand. It's made of plastic but comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, which is a step up from the Pixel 8a's IP67. Overall, the Pixel 9a has solid build quality despite having less visual personality.
Google Pixel 9a display
The Google Pixel 9a sports a 6.3-inch screen with a 2424 x 1080-pixel resolution and a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate. It supports 2,700 nits of peak brightness for HDR content. On top of it, you'll find the same Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection as the Pixel 8a.
While it gets bright enough for browsing or doomscrolling, I struggled to see the camera viewfinder in direct sunlight. The Adaptive Brightness setting is finicky, and even after manually maxing out brightness, it wasn't enough to snap photos comfortably outdoors. Also, the thick bezels make it look less modern. You'll probably get used to it, but it's worth noting.
Google Pixel 9a in Iris variant
The Pixel 9a features the same in-house Tensor G4 as the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. However, it gets 8GB of RAM instead of 12GB. In everyday use, it's fast and snappy. I didn't notice any stutter or lag while multitasking or browsing. It's not built for gaming (check out the OnePlus 13R if that's your thing), but it's good enough for most tasks.
That said, I'm skeptical about how it'll hold up in two years, as the world moves toward AI-first phones that demand more RAM.
The Pixel 9a packs a large 5,100mAh battery supporting 23W wired charging and 7.5W Qi wireless charging (the faster 15W Qi2 standard is absent). I haven't used it long enough to confirm battery longevity, but so far, it seems on par with the Pixel 8a's average battery life. Hopefully, it'll improve in a week of use.
Google Pixel 9a Gemini
Google's AI features are what set the Pixel 9a apart. It supports several versions of Gemini, including 2.0 Flash, 2.0 Flash Thinking, 2.5 Pro, Deep Research, and Personalization.
My favorite new AI feature is Gemini Live video (requires a Gemini Advanced subscription), which helped me figure out which sofa would best suit my living room. It's great for pointing your camera at your surroundings and asking questions to ideate or brainstorm.
Gemini Live video is a refreshing way to interact with your phone, though it still needs to be more reliable for conversations. It's improved since I tested Conversation Mode in the Pixel Buds Pro 2 review, but there's still room to grow. Other fun AI tools include Add Me, Best Take, Pixel Studio, and more party tricks.
Google Pixel 9a Camera viewfinder
The Pixel 9a swaps the 64MP sensor on its predecessor for a 48MP main camera. Both use pixel binning to combine groups of four pixels for better image quality. It's paired with a 13MP ultrawide camera. I haven't noticed a huge leap in photo quality over the Pixel 8a.
Pixel 9a 2x and macro mode
You also get a macro mode with the main sensor to shoot close-ups. The results are decent. Portraits show a slightly improved background blur, and shadows carry more detail. Night mode, however, is average. Overall, the Pixel 9a offers a fine camera setup for a $499 phone.
Google Pixel 9a
The Pixel 9a is a value-for-money phone with Google's software advantages and lots of useful AI tools. It delivers solid hardware, the same chipset as pricier Pixel phones, and a decent display, camera, and battery life. It's a smart choice for anyone upgrading from a three- or four-year-old Pixel.
However, there are compelling alternatives to consider. The new Moto G Stylus has a better display and a good enough processor. Meanwhile, the $599 OnePlus 13R offers the best screen in the segment with flagship-level performance, thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.