Google Pixel 9a review: Why I like Android so much

Discover the Google Pixel 9a review, featuring in-depth analysis, performance insights, and camera capabilities. Uncover why it's a top choice for smartphone enthusiasts!

For years, Google has reigned supreme in the realm of affordable smartphones, with its A-series consistently setting the benchmark. However, the landscape is shifting, with compelling new contenders making the competition fiercer than ever. Enter the Pixel 9a, Google's latest attempt to maintain its dominance in this crucial segment.

Recent releases like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro and the iPhone 16e have highlighted the narrowing gap in the budget phone arena. In this Pixel 9a review, I'll explore how its new hardware upgrades and impressive AI features aim to keep Google firmly on the throne.

Crucially, in an era of ever-increasing smartphone prices, the Pixel 9a retains its impressive $499 starting price, a significant value proposition that cannot be overstated.

Google Pixel 9a Review: Specifications

Google Pixel 9a Review: Price and Release Date

In a market where smartphone prices seem perpetually on the rise, Google's steadfast commitment to the $499 starting price for the Pixel 9a is truly commendable. This undercuts its closest competitor, the iPhone 16e (starting at $599), by a significant $100, highlighting the superior value proposition of the Pixel 9a. While the Nothing Phone 3a ($379) and 3a Pro ($459) present compelling, even more affordable alternatives, the Pixel 9a offers a distinct set of advantages.

The Pixel 9a became available on April 10th through various carriers and retailers in four attractive colors: obsidian, porcelain, peony, and iris. For users needing more storage, a 256GB version is also available for $599.

Google Pixel 9a Review: Design

The Pixel 9a's design marks a departure from its predecessors, and in my opinion, it leans towards a somewhat understated aesthetic. The iconic camera bar has been replaced with a much more flush camera housing. While this creates a cleaner and more uniform look and feel, it arguably sacrifices some of the unique visual identity that has long distinguished the Pixel series from other budget-friendly devices.

Other design changes, such as the introduction of flat edges and rounded corners, are more subjective. Were it not for the vibrant peony color of my review unit and the dual rear cameras, the Pixel 9a bears a striking resemblance to the iPhone 16e.

Despite this more generic appearance, the Pixel 9a feels solidly constructed with its aluminum frame and composite matte casing. Unlike the iPhone 16e, its edges don't feel sharp, resulting in a more comfortable in-hand feel. Importantly, it retains an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, a reassuring feature at this price point.

Google Pixel 9a Review: Display

The Pixel 9a boasts a larger 6.3-inch Actua Display, an upgrade from the Pixel 8a's 6.1-inch panel. This pOLED display is pleasing to the eye, but it doesn't quite possess the same vibrancy and color pop as the panel on the flagship Pixel 9.

Despite not being the most vibrant, it remains a gorgeous OLED panel, and its adaptive 120Hz refresh rate provides significantly smoother animations compared to the iPhone 16e. However, the most impressive aspect of the display is its blinding peak brightness of 2,076 nits.

Budget phones often compromise on display quality, resulting in dim screens. The Pixel 9a shatters this expectation, setting a new benchmark for brightness in its class. No other budget phone comes close, with the iPhone 16e's meager 1,078-nit brightness paling in comparison. This difference is particularly noticeable outdoors, where the Pixel 9a remains clearly visible even under bright conditions.

Google Pixel 9a Review: Cameras

The removal of the camera bar results in a more traditional, almost flush camera cutout. After spending time with the single-camera iPhone 16e, it's refreshing to return to a budget phone with a dual-camera system, and the Pixel 9a doesn't disappoint.

The setup comprises a 48MP main camera and a 13MP ultrawide lens. While the main sensor has a lower megapixel count than the Pixel 8a's 64MP unit, its wider f/1.7 aperture should contribute to sharper photos, especially in low-light scenarios.

New additions to the series include a macro focus mode, leveraging AI for enhanced close-up shots, and Night Sight, a first for the A-series, enabling proper astrophotography. Powered by the Tensor G4 chip, the Pixel 9a also inherits a suite of familiar AI-assisted editing tools like Magic Editor, Auto Frame, and Photo Unblur.

Fortunately, the main camera's performance remains strong, holding its own against the Pixel 8a. While the Pixel 9a's images exhibit slightly brighter overall exposure, sometimes washing out details, I also observed more definition in textures like brickwork.

Color reproduction on the Pixel 9a leans towards a more natural tone compared to the often oversaturated output of the iPhone 16e, as evident in the produce shots.

Interestingly, macro shots are captured by the main camera, indicated by a flower icon in the viewfinder. This represents a significant upgrade, allowing for closer and sharper close-ups compared to the Pixel 8a and the iPhone 16e.

The 13MP selfie camera performs admirably, producing images with good contrast and saturation. While the iPhone 16e's selfies appear more muted, both phones capture a similar level of detail.

While the Pixel 9a offers the added versatility of a 13MP ultrawide camera, the iPhone 16e performs better in zoom capabilities, relying on its main camera with superior image processing to retain more detail at higher zoom levels (8x in the test).

Panoramas captured with the Pixel 9a exhibit greater sharpness and detail compared to the Pixel 8a, despite the latter having a slightly wider field of view.

In low-light photography, an area where Pixel phones have traditionally excelled, the Pixel 9a continues to impress. While the iPhone 16e shows improvements in capturing fine details in near-dark conditions, the Pixel 9a brightens shadows more effectively, resulting in a brighter overall image.

On the video front, the Pixel 9a can record up to 4K at 60fps, with slow-motion support reaching 1080p at 240fps. Compared to the iPhone 16e, the Pixel 9a's video exhibits slightly more overexposure, but its dynamic range handles strong lighting well.

Google Pixel 9a Review: Performance

The inclusion of the Tensor G4 chipset effectively brings flagship-caliber processing power to this mid-range device. In everyday use, the Pixel 9a feels remarkably fluid, almost on par with the Pixel 9 Pro XL despite having 8GB of RAM.

Benchmark tests indicate performance similar to the Pixel 9, representing a modest improvement over the previous Tensor G3. While Geekbench 6 scores (1,707 single-core, 4,512 multi-core) are respectable, they fall significantly short of the iPhone 16e's A18 chip. However, in real-world basic tasks, the Pixel 9a feels noticeably smoother.

On the GPU side, the Pixel 9a's performance (9,592 score in 3DMark Wild Life Original Unlimited, averaging 57.44 fps) also trails the iPhone 16e. However, in graphically intensive games, the difference isn't hugely noticeable, and the Pixel 9a's 120Hz display refresh rate arguably contributes to a smoother visual experience.

Interestingly, the Pixel 9a struggles significantly in video rendering within Adobe Premiere Rush, taking a lengthy 1 minute and 24 seconds compared to the iPhone 16e's lightning-fast 21 seconds.

Google Pixel 9a Review: Software and AI

The Pixel 9a ships with Android 15 out of the box and inherits many of the same impressive AI features found on the significantly more expensive Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL. This includes AI-assisted photo and video editing tools like Magic Editor, Auto Frame, Reimagine, Photo Unblur, and Pixel Studio. In a direct comparison with Apple's Image Playground, Pixel Studio's new image generation capabilities with people are notably more advanced.

For a phone at this price point, the value offered by the Pixel 9a's AI features is undeniable. Many of these features are also more practical than Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16e. For example, the Pixel 9a's Call Screen functionality is unparalleled, acting as a virtual assistant to handle calls and provide contextual responses.

However, two specific AI features are absent on the Pixel 9a: Pixel Screenshots and Call Notes. While Pixel Screenshots, requiring constant manual screenshot capture, isn't a significant loss, the absence of Call Notes, which provides call recording and transcription, is a minor disappointment.

Access to the Gemini app is available, but the free trial of Gemini Advanced is limited to one month, after which a $19.99 monthly subscription is required. This contrasts with the full year of Gemini Advanced included with the flagship Pixel 9 Pro models.

The latest Pixel Drop update brings Gemini Live integration with the Pixel 9a's camera and screen sharing capabilities. Initial tests show Gemini Live intelligently analyzing surroundings and providing helpful contextual recommendations.

These AI features are a significant selling point for the Pixel 9a, adding substantial value and often surpassing the functionality offered by Apple Intelligence. Crucially, the Pixel 9a also receives Google's industry-leading 7 years of software support.

Google Pixel 9a Review: Battery Life and Charging

The Pixel 9a features a larger 5,100 mAh battery, an increase from the Pixel 8a's 4,492 mAh unit. This larger capacity translates to improved battery life, comfortably lasting through a typical workday.

In Tom's Guide's battery benchmark test, the Pixel 9a achieved an average of 13 hours and 8 minutes, a notable improvement over the Pixel 8a and even surpassing the iPhone 16e. The combination of a larger battery and the power-efficient Tensor G4 chip contributes to this impressive endurance, although it still trails the Nothing Phone 3a Pro.

Wired charging speed sees a slight upgrade to 23W (from 18W on the Pixel 8a). In 15 and 30-minute charging intervals, the battery reaches 25% and 47% respectively, still faster than its predecessor. Wireless charging remains at a modest 7.5W.

Google Pixel 9a Review: Verdict

The Google Pixel 9a stands out as the most well-rounded phone you can buy for under $500. While the Nothing Phone 3a Pro offers a compelling alternative at a slightly lower price, the Pixel 9a delivers greater overall value and performance. Its suite of impressive AI features alone sets it apart from many rivals, including the iPhone 16e.

In a volatile smartphone market, Google's decision to maintain the Pixel 9a's price at $499 is a smart and reassuring move for budget-conscious consumers. Despite a more understated design, the Pixel 9a offers a compelling package that extends far beyond its appearance. It's not just the best cheap phone; it's also one of the best Android phones available, offering a premium experience without the premium price tag.