Latest news with #Pixel8a
India Today
07-05-2025
- India Today
Google Pixel phones to get battery health feature but not all: Check this list
Google is finally bringing a much-requested battery health feature with Android 16. However, this feature will not be available for all Android phones. According to reports, the new Battery Health menu feature, spotted in Android 16 Beta 3, will only be available on a select few recent Pixel models, leaving out even some of last year's flagships and other Android smartphones. This feature is similar to Apple's Battery Health, which the Cupertino company introduced in iPhones back in 2018. The feature allows users to view key battery stats such as maximum capacity and health status. This information helps users understand sudden drops in battery performance or unexpected shutdowns. Google began testing the feature as far back as Android 14 Beta 2 in December 2023. However, the company didn't reveal the exact timeline for its availability. As noted by a Reddit user and highlighted in Android Authority's report, Google has responded on its public Android Issue Tracker, confirming that the battery health indicator will in coming months roll out to the Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. "Due to product limitations, this feature will not be available on older in-market Pixel devices," said a Google developer in response to user queries. The company listed the issue's status as 'Won't Fix (Infeasible),' reads the note. This means Google Pixel models like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, which were launched in October 2023, won't receive the update. So the Pixel devices eligible for the Battery Health feature are: – Pixel 8a– Pixel 9– Pixel 9 Pro – Pixel 9 Pro Fold If your Pixel isn't on this list, unfortunately, you will not get the update, at least for now. The unavailability of the battery health feature comes as a turn-off for many Pixel and Android users, as users have been requesting the feature for quite some time. On the other hand, Apple, which made the feature available on iPhones as old as the iPhone 6 (from 2014), gained battery health metrics with iOS 11.3. When will the Battery Health menu be available on Android? The Battery Health menu is still in beta testing and hasn't yet reached eligible users. It is expected to become widely available once Android 16 rolls out in its stable version in coming months. However, when it does, only the Pixel 8a and newer models will benefit from this system-level diagnostic tool. Meanwhile, as for other Android smartphone brands, Android 16 might not bring this feature. But given that the feature is part of Android, it is expected that phone makers will offer it in their custom software. In fact, some Android OEMs like Samsung and OnePlus already offer similar battery health tools through their custom Android skins although these too are often limited to newer phones.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Google Is Adding a Battery Health Menu to the Pixel 8a, but Not the Pixel 8 Pro
Google has confirmed that its new Battery Health menu, first seen in Android 16 Beta 3, will only be available on the latest Pixel 9 series and the last released Pixel 8 device, the Pixel 8a, as reported by Android Authority. The company says that this tool will not be available on older Pixel devices, including the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro—which were released just a few months before the Pixel 8a and are flagship-level phones, unlike the 8a. This means that users of these earlier models will not be able to check their battery's health using Google's own system. The Battery Health menu can be found in the Settings app on supported devices, given that they are running the latest Android 16 beta. As the name suggests, it gives users information about their phone's current battery capacity as a percentage of its original level. It also gives tips for extending battery life, such as turning on Adaptive Charging or limiting the maximum charge to 80%. This tool has been a standard part of iPhones since 2018, even on older models like the iPhone 6, but Google's version will only be available on its newest hardware. Overall, Google made a bad move. I hope they implement it soon, or at least specify exactly why the feature works in the budget device but not the flagships.
The Sun
26-04-2025
- The Sun
I tried the best new budget Android phone for 2025 – three reasons to STOP wasting hundreds on fancy, expensive mobiles
IT seems 2025 is the year for budget friendly smartphones - and the Google Pixel 9a might be the best I've tried yet. Only a couple of weeks ago, I was singing the praises of Samsung's new Galaxy A56. 5 Google Pixel 9a - buy now for £499 from Argos But now Google has come to steal some of its thunder. I'm all for this mid-range mobile race, as prices for smartphones seem to have spiralled out of control. As The Sun's main Android reviewer, Google's Pixel A series has always been up there as a favourite. This time, the Google Pixel 9a should be enough to lure more users - and hopefully make others realise you don't need to break the bank for high quality. Reviewing last year's Pixel 8a, I described it as "Google's best budget smartphone yet". Now I think we've found the best budget smartphone around for 2025 so far of all brands - find out why below. Google Pixel 9a: Look and feel The Pixel 9a stays true to form with a consistent evolution from last year's model. However, there is one instantly big difference and it's a positive change. Google has drastically slimmed down the camera set-up, ditching the huge imposing bar on the 8a so it's almost perfectly flat against the surface now. In a world full of bulky cameras, I think this is a good step. The body of the 9a is also a lot more rounded, which gives it a more premium feel. So much so, I sometimes mistakenly pick it up thinking it's my main iPhone 16 Pro Max handset which I keep alongside test devices. Google has also managed to increase the display size ever so slightly too, up to 6.3-inches wide compared with 6.1-inches last year. However, the bezel black border around the edge is a bit thicker than I'd like. I love how light the 9a is too, coming in at 186g. 5 Google Pixel 9a: Performance and features The Google Pixel 9a runs on Android 15, which is the company's very latest version of the software. Given that Google owns Android it means you'll be pretty much first in line to most new features and updates. And the firm has committed to provide a whooping seven major updates - as these are usually released annually this means the 9a should last you seven years, giving you good value for money. The best thing about having a Google made phone is getting the purest version of Android, as the creators intended it to be with little meddling and no bloatware apps you don't need. Who offers free updates longest? The longer you receive updates, the longer you can safely continue using your smartphone - with the latest features thrown in too for free. Samsung For the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung said it would provide at least seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security updates. OnePlus At the launch of the OnePlus 13, OnePlus committed to at least four years of Android updates and six years of security updates. Xiaomi Xiaomi offers four years off Android updates and five years security updates. Google For the Pixel 9 series, Google said that devices would receive at least seven versions, which is about seven years of support. Google also has its own Tensor G4 chip inside to keep things smooth, which is the same as the ones found on the other, more expensive Pixel 9 models. The key difference is that the RAM is left at 8GB instead of 12GB used on the others, but when trying it with games I had no troubles. An under screen finger print sensor to unlock your phone fast is used once again, with the option of facial recognition if preferred. In terms of features, there isn't anything hugely different from last year. But with Android 15 there are some handy AI tools at your disposal such as spam call detection. And there are some really useful AI photo features too, which I go into below. Google Pixel 9a: Camera Pixels have always had pretty solid cameras. The 9a has a decent dual rear camera system, with a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 48-megapixel main camera. Google has thrown in Macro Focus for the first time on its cheaper A series Pixels too. In terms of features, you now have Best Take to pick the perfect face in those group shots and the magical Add Me tool puts you in group shots after taking a photo. The results are decent enough as you can see below with a portrait shot and photo from the main camera. 5 5 Google Pixel 9a: Battery Google has beefed up the battery with the 9a, measuring in at 5,100mAh - bigger than its own Pixel 9 Pro XL. However, it doesn't necessarily last longer. I could easily get through a whole day on a single charge after fair use browsing the web, watching videos on YouTube, messaging and taking the odd photo, with some juice to spare the next day. The Pixel 9a does support wireless charging but this will always be slower compared to wired. When using a wire, the charging speed is 23W which is quite slow compared to rivals - expect to wait more than an hour to get a full charge from zero to 100 per cent. Google Pixel 9a: Pricing The Google Pixel 9a costs £499 which is vastly cheaper than most big name phones you'll find. That's also the same price as last year's 8a, so the company hasn't increased it like others. Google Pixel 9a: Verdict I love the slightly revamped look of the Pixel 9a and the fact I mix it up with my existing iPhone 16 Pro Max says a lot. Namely, that you don't need to spend more than a thousand pounds to own a decent smartphone. The camera on the Pixel continues to impress and the performance hits the spot too. There are fewer AI tools but the most useful ones are all there, particularly for photography. This is my favourite budget-friendly smartphone of 2025 so far. Rating: 5 / 5 Always do your own research before making any purchase.
India Today
24-04-2025
- India Today
Google Pixel 9a review: Budget Pixel, finally done right
Try, try till you succeed. That, in essence, is the story of the Pixel 9a, Google's all-new budget Pixel smartphone for the time Google has been making these 'affordable' a-series phones—it has been a while—I've had two types of emotions, and they've been constantly at war with each other. A part of me said, why bother? The other insisted the best is yet to come. In other words, even though I've had a hard time reviewing—and recommending—these phones for one reason or the other, deep down, I would keep coming back for more. With 9a, it seems, my prayers have been answered and Google's persistence has paid be fair, last year's Pixel 8a came very close to delivering the best hardware package you could expect from Google at the time. It covered a lot of ground and fixed many problems of its predecessor(s) except maybe that it could have priced it better. With the Pixel 9a, the price has come down significantly all the while improving upon a winning formula to such an extent that we can say, these phones have finally started to walk the talk. The Pixel 9a is available for Rs 49,999 for 256GB, without any conditions. That is Rs 10,000 less than what the 8a cost at launch for the same amount of list of upgrades is long. The design is all new. The display is brighter. The battery is bigger. Charging is faster. There's a new chip and more powerful optics. New phone for less price—the 9a has winner written all over it, even without getting into the specifics. The specifics, luckily, echo the sentiments of the specs to a great Pixel 9a design and displayThe phone's exterior, which is the first thing you notice when you unbox any phone, says a lot about what sort of category it belongs to. This includes ID (short for industrial design) and choice of build materials. The general thumb rule is that more affordable devices tend to look a certain way and come with stripped-down materials. In cases like the Pixel a, the device is often built around an existing template. For the Pixel 8a, it was the Pixel 8. For Pixel 9a, it is the Pixel 9. The Pixel 9a has a plastic back and comes in three colours: Obsidian, Porcelain, and Iris. The phone has a metal frame and is IP68 rated. advertisement But while the 8a was very close to its fancier sibling, the 9a is a bit different. This has its merits. The most visible one of them is that there is no camera bump on the back, because Google has removed the camera visor, possibly to cut cost. That visor has been a Google Pixel trademark and seeing it gone—at least for those who've been following it closely—will take some time to adjust, some might not get used to it at all. I am all for change and, frankly, it's nice to see a decent phone without any camera bump after so long, but I can't help but point out that this also makes the phone look somewhat cheap and fragile. It doesn't feel that way—rather it is built solid with a matte composite back and metal frame—but as is the nature of these things, looks are as important, and the 9a fails to make an impression quite like the Pixel 8a. You get a 6.3-inch display with wide, chunky bezels. The Pixel 9a is slightly bigger than the Pixel 8a, though the increase doesn't come at the cost of increased dimensions, which is always challenging to pull off. The 9a, in fact, is closer to the Pixel 9 with its 6.3-inch display, but the panel is different. Here, Google is using a p-OLED screen (which is perhaps adding to its slim proportions), but just like the design, chunky bezels give away the phone's budget footing. The fingerprint scanner is also optical, not ultrasonic. Everything else about this display is as high-end though. It has plenty of pixels (1080p, 422ppi), it is fast and smooth (up to 120Hz is supported), and it is plenty bright (2700 nits HBM, 1800 nits HDR). It is essentially a pro-grade display at a non-pro Pixel 9a performance and camerasThe same pro-ness extends to the underlying chip. The 9a has the same Tensor G4 as any of the more expensive Pixel 9-series phones, including the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Google doesn't discriminate. With the G4, it has been transparent about positioning as well, not overselling it with lofty claims but talking about real-world use cases. It has designed the chip specifically to make everyday interactions with your phone—and this includes AI—faster, not to beat while newer Qualcomm chips, like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 8 Elite, might smoke the Tensor G4 in terms of raw power, meticulous tuning and optimisation ensure it feels as competitive in day-to-day. RAM is 8GB, not 12GB like the Pixel 9, which explains why some AI features are missing. Pixel Screenshots is a notable omission. Everything else works at par, which also means that the Pixel 9a is—now—the cheapest phone to try Google's current and next-gen AI features. (You do not get a year of Gemini Advanced for free when buying it like with 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold though.) There is no camera bump. The Pixel 9a has fantastic battery life, which was mostly expected given that it has a 5100mAh, the biggest we've seen on any Pixel phone to date. This means the 9a can last 4–5 hours longer than the Pixel 9 (4,700mAh) and almost as much as the Pixel 9 Pro XL (5060mAh), which has the advantage of having an LTPO display. Charging is capped at 23W wired and 7.5W wireless. The Pixel 9 has 27W wired and 15W wireless. The 9a is powered by Google's Tensor G4 chip and runs Android 15 right out of the gate. advertisementFor photography, the Pixel 9a packs a new 48-megapixel primary sensor which is paired to a brighter f/1.7 aperture optically stabilised lens (compared to the Pixel 8a). The revamped setup brings noticeable improvements in picture quality right from the amount of detail that it can pull in tricky and low light to dynamic range, which, again, adds to the overall detail and authenticity of photos. The signature 'cool and contrasty' Pixel look remains intact across landscape and portraits even in this budget Pixel, which—if you're a fan or enthusiast—could be a big reason why you might want to buy it. The ultrawide—13MP/f/2.2—is a do-over from the Pixel 8a and has started to show its age, especially when you start comparing it to the other Pixel 9-series phones, all of which now have a 48MP sensor. The front camera, too, is only serviceable with the 13MP f/2.2 setup, taking good-enough photos when you give it lots of out full camera samples below; Click to access more Google Pixel 9a: Should you buy it?The Pixel 9a feels like a culmination of years of refinement, and it finally feels like the one budget Pixel phone that gets almost everything right. The hardware upgrades are many, and they are meaningful: a brighter, more vivid display, a bigger battery that easily lasts a day and more, and an improved primary camera that produces stunning results in nearly all conditions. From a performance standpoint, it delivers where it matters most—daily reliability, clean software (with guaranteed seven-year software support), and AI smarts. The haptics are tight, the speakers loud and there are compromises—chunky bezels, a plasticky design, underwhelming ultrawide and selfie cameras—but they feel like calculated trade-offs in a phone that's priced more smartly than any recent Pixel a-series device. At Rs 49,999, the 9a undercuts its predecessor while offering more where it counts and is the first in the line-up that I can recommend without adding an asterisk.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Time of India
Google Pixel 9a review: Camera excellence with no frills
Ratings- 3.5/5 Google's A-series has long been the gateway to its premium Pixel experience at a more accessible price point, and the new Pixel 9a continues that legacy with a refreshed approach. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Priced at Rs 49,999 in India, the Pixel 9a positions itself as the most affordable entry into the Pixel 9 lineup—without cutting too many corners. It arrives with a redesigned chassis, a sleek new camera pill, and under the hood, the same Tensor G4 processor that fuels the flagship Pixel 9. While the smartphone sounds like a solid upgrade over last year's Pixel 8a—but how does it hold up in real-world use? Let's find out Pixel 9a design Using the Pixel 9a for the past few days, the first thing that stood out was how different it feels compared to earlier A-series phones. Google has switched to a flat-edge design this year, and it's a noticeable shift if you've used the Pixel 8a or anything before that. The aluminum frame meets the back glass at sharp right angles, which gives it a more squared-off feel in hand. The camera design also gets a major change. The signature Pixel visor that's been around since the Pixel 6 is gone. In its place is a small, pill-shaped camera glass. At once, it may look off and may become a talking point, but you get used to it. Another surprise is the speaker placement. It's now on the right side at the bottom, instead of the left. In daily use, this actually helped while watching videos in landscape mode. As my hand didn't block the sound like it usually does with other phones. The buttons are still in Google's usual order, with the power button above the volume rocker. The materials are what you'd expect at this price point. The front of Pixel 9a uses Gorilla Glass 3, which is a bit dated but holds up okay for daily use. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The back is plastic, with a smooth matte finish. It looks and feels decent. One nice upgrade is the IP68 rating. That means it can handle dust and water better than the Pixel 8a, which was rated at IP67. In terms of size, the Pixel 9a lands in a sweet spot. With 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm measurements, it's nearly as big as the Pixel 9 (152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm), but still smaller than most phones in this range. Having said that, Pixel 9a 's not a compact phone, but it doesn't feel too large either. Pixel 9a display The Pixel 9a comes with a 6.3-inch pOLED display, and after using it for a few days, it's clear that Google has stepped things up a bit here. The screen is slightly larger and sharper than the one on the Pixel 8a, and it's noticeably brighter. Outdoors, especially under direct sunlight, we had no trouble reading the screen. That said, the bezels are still there. They're uniform on all sides, which helps a bit visually, but you do notice them while watching videos or gaming. They are not a dealbreaker and are comparatively thick by today's standards. With a 120Hz refresh rate, the display offers an instantly noticeable level of smoothness, whether you're scrolling through social media, switching between apps, or simply navigating the user interface. Its responsiveness makes interactions feel seamless and fluid. Additionally, the always-on display (AOD) allows for quick glances at the time or notifications without needing to pick up the phone. However, during our review, we opted to disable the AOD to conserve battery life, as keeping it on does contribute to additional power consumption. Under the screen is the optical fingerprint scanner which gets the job done. There's no Dolby Vision support here, which limits some of the HDR playback options, especially on platforms that support it. You still get HDR10, and most users won't notice the difference, but if you watch a lot of HDR content, it's worth knowing. Pixel 9a performance Google Pixel 9a runs on the same Tensor G4 chip that powers the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, and it shows. In everyday use, performance felt smooth and reliable. Apps opened quickly, multitasking was easy, and even during prolonged usage, the phone didn't slow down or heat up noticeably. We used the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant, and it handled everything we threw at it—whether it was switching between apps, browsing with multiple tabs open, or even editing photos in Google Photos. The UFS 3.1 storage also means apps load fast and large files don't take long to copy or move. On the software front, the Pixel 9a ships with Android 15 and comes with a promise of seven years of major Android updates. That's more than most phones in this price range and gives the phone a long shelf life. The experience is clean, fast, and free from bloatware—typical of Pixel devices. It's also packed with Pixel-exclusive features like Call Screen, Recorder with AI summaries, and Magic Editor in Photos, all of which actually come in handy once you get used to them. Face unlock and fingerprint both work well, and combined with fast software, unlocking the phone or authenticating apps feels seamless. Overall, the Pixel 9a delivers the same core experience as the more expensive Pixel 9, which makes it a solid performer for its price. Pixel 9a camera The Pixel 9a has a dual camera setup on the back—a 48MP main camera and a 13MP ultra-wide. There's also a 13MP selfie camera on the front. The main sensor is new this year, but the ultra-wide and front cameras are the same as last year's Pixel 8a. During everyday use, the main camera delivers impressive results, capturing sharp images with natural colors across various lighting conditions—whether in daylight, indoors, or early evening. It consistently produces clean, well-balanced shots with minimal effort, making it highly reliable. The Ultra HDR feature enhances images further, especially in brightly lit scenes, ensuring vibrant and visually striking photos on the display. Zoom on Pixel 9a is all digital—there's no dedicated zoom lens. There's a 2x zoom toggle in the app, which works well and gives usable shots. Beyond 2x, image quality drops quickly. You'll see a loss in detail at 5x or 8x. The ultra-wide camera does okay in good light. It maintains similar color tones to the main sensor. Google Pixel 9a has good macro capabilities and we got some nice close-up shots. Just get close to your subject, and the camera takes care of the rest. Selfies look sharp and well-balanced in good lighting conditions, delivering natural skin tones and clarity. Performance in low-light settings is satisfactory. Portrait mode offers decent background blur. Edge detection occasionally struggles with precise subject separation. Pixel 9a battery Pixel 9a packs a 5,100mAh battery, and in daily use, it really holds up. With regular tasks like calls, chats, scrolling through social media, watching a few videos, and some light camera use, the phone easily lasted a full day. Charging, however, is a different story. The Pixel 9a supports up to 23W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging, but you don't get a charger in the box. It took more than an hour and a half for Pixel 9a to hit 100%. Verdict Google Pixel 9a comes with a starting price of Rs 49,999, and for that price, it gets a lot right. You get solid performance, clean software with long-term updates, good battery life, and one of the best cameras in this segment. The display is sharp and bright, and the design—while plain—is practical. But there are trade-offs. Charging is not very fast, the camera app needs polish, and the plastic back. All in all, if you value clean Android UI, reliable performance, and great photos over flashy features, the Pixel 9a is a phone worth considering.
