Google Pixel 9a assessment: A superb Pixel telephone to purchase

The Pixel 9a represents a design shift for Google. Gone is the visor and island containing the digital camera lenses, and in comes an virtually totally flat rear panel with the 2 cameras set in a small, stadium-shaped part lined in glass which barely extends away from the floor of the telephone. It’s a alternative that could possibly be referred to as daring in as we speak’s smartphone design panorama, the place large digital camera modules equate to spectacular digital camera efficiency in lots of people’s minds.

We’ll come again to the digital camera quickly, however the Pixel 9a’s flatness — which extends to the perimeters of the telephone and the display — makes it a beautiful telephone to carry and pocket. It doesn’t get caught on something, it’s properly balanced in your hand, and it sits flat on the desk. In the event you love the thought of a flat display and rear panel, then the scrumptious minimalist nature of the Pixel 9a ought to actually enchantment.

It’s not all that skinny at 8.9mm, however the design helps shrink this down in your hand, and I’ve discovered it very snug to carry even for lengthy durations. It’s gentle at 186 grams, the aluminum body feels prime quality, the plastic rear panel visually does an excellent impression of glass, and the IP68 mud and water resistance score offers me confidence. Some will complain concerning the measurement of the bezels across the 6.3-inch display, however inside an hour of utilizing the telephone, I’d forgotten all about them.

The aluminum chassis offers the Pixel 9a some a lot wanted class, as though the plastic again seems to be like glass, there’s an excessive amount of flex and an unpleasantly hole sound to it for anybody to be fooled for lengthy. Nonetheless, the telephone’s measurement and form is well-judged, and I actually just like the handy flat design. It does one thing completely different, even when it’s a easy design, and that’s uncommon in smartphones as we speak.

Google Pixel 9a: digital camera

The Pixel 9a’s predominant 48-megapixel digital camera has been upgraded and comes with optical picture stabilization, whereas the 13MP wide-angle digital camera will get a macro mode. There’s all the same old Google AI modes, akin to Add Me, Finest Take, and the superb Magic Editor function.

I’ve loved taking images with the Pixel 9a. There’s loads of element, a impartial stability, and simply sufficient versatility to maintain it fascinating. There’s no telephoto digital camera, however the 2x zoom is first rate, simply as it’s on the Pixel 9. Macro mode kicks in routinely, represented by a small flower within the nook of the display. It’s good too, with a lot of element and a beautiful depth of area. Nonetheless, the principle digital camera isn’t pretty much as good at judging colours because the Pixel 9, and this may increasingly come all the way down to the shortage of a spectral sensor, which helps the digital camera assess colours and tone.

It means I’ve typically discovered some images are both beneath uncovered or a bit of drab. They’re by no means dangerous, and it doesn’t occur on a regular basis. Fixing the problem comes from Google Photographs and its glorious modifying suite, the place I’ve been capable of subtly alter the Pixel 9a’s images in order that they go well with my style higher. Not everybody will really feel the identical as me concerning the Pixel 9a’s images, however those that do needs to be reassured it’s straightforward (and enjoyable) to change them on the gadget.

Does this imply the Pixel 9a’s digital camera is a disappointment? No, under no circumstances. There’s a welcome diploma of versatility and since it’s dependable, I’m assured in its means to take a great picture in most conditions and environments. I didn’t have fairly the identical belief within the Samsung Galaxy A56 or Nothing Cellphone 3a Professional’s digital camera. Simply bear in mind chances are you’ll spend a bit of extra time modifying your images to get the precise proper look.

Google Pixel 9a: software program and AI

Android 15 on the Pixel 9a is generally glorious, however some issues do make me query its long-term reliability and suitability for non-techy consumers. For instance, the Fast Settings within the pull-down menu refused to indicate names for me, even after a reset, restarts, and updates. It was ultimately cured by activating Excessive Distinction mode within the Settings menu, and the textual content even remained after I switched again to the default distinction. It’s simply a kind of odd issues to anticipate when spending life with a Pixel telephone.

When you’re previous a few of its silliness, Android 15 is nice to make use of. It’s easy and responsive, the icons are properly designed, the Settings menu is generally logical, and the complete platform sees common updates, together with seven years of main OS and safety updates too. Supplied you get Android 15 working proper out-of-the-box, the Pixel 9a is a implausible option to expertise it. It’s much more agreeable and fewer intrusive than Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2, much less arduous by way of preliminary setup than Samsung’s One UI 7, and there are fewer pre-installed apps than on Oppo’s ColorOS.

Gemini is the default digital assistant, and the cornerstone of Google’s AI push on cell. I’ve been utilizing Gemini Superior for about six months, however I get most of my use from it on the desktop via Google Chrome. Nonetheless, the expertise is much like cell, and it’s good at doing a little issues. It’s nice as an thought generator, it summarizes paperwork and data rapidly, and the current improve to incorporate Veo 2 video technology provides a enjoyable new dimension. Gemini Dwell is accessible on the Pixel 9a, permitting free-flowing conversations, plus there’s Circle to Search and the Pixel Studio app.

The Screenshots app is lacking although, which was one of many extra fascinating AI app additions on the Pixel 9, the place it types and categorizes screenshots you’ve taken on the telephone. Google’s Discover My Gadget is onboard, as is Automotive Crash Detection and Theft Safety, and there are numerous useful call-related options like name screening. These are glorious, value-adding options, and make Android 15 on the Pixel 9a a implausible expertise, supplied you don’t meet any of the odd bugs that may present up on some telephones.

Google Pixel 9a: efficiency

The Google Tensor G4 processor powering the Pixel 9a is similar chip present in all different Pixel 9 gadgets, nevertheless it solely has 8GB of RAM slightly than the 12GB or extra serving to the dearer fashions carry out even higher. I haven’t seen any efficiency issues, like stuttering or a rise in warmth, throughout regular use. Android 15 and low-demand apps all run with out problem.

Enjoying video games does see some warmth generated on the Pixel 9a, nevertheless it’s largely noticeable beneath the display slightly than on the again of the telephone or the chassis. Prolonged periods of power-intensive video games will emphasize this, however even after half-hour of Asphalt Legends: Unite, the telephone by no means turns into too scorching or uncomfortable to carry. It’s one thing to think about when you actually need to play a whole lot of video games, when telephones just like the OnePlus 13R with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will present extra efficiency with much less stress on the system.

Name high quality deserves a particular point out because it has been constantly glorious, pulling in a sign and sustaining connection even in poorly lined areas. Utilizing Wi-Fi Calling at dwelling turns it into a really dependable phone, which is especially vital if protection is low the place you reside. The stereo audio system get actually loud too, and apart from the anticipated lack of bass response, are advantageous for podcasts and vocal-led music. The optical in-display fingerprint sensor unlocks the telephone instantly, and the face unlock system isn’t far behind it. All this makes the telephone really easy to dwell with each day.

Google Pixel 9a: battery and charging

Battery life has been glorious, and it’s affordable to anticipate at the least 5 hours non-gaming display time from a single cost of the 5,100mAh battery. The sturdy battery efficiency is backed up by a alternative of 23W wired charging and seven.5W wi-fi charging, which will not be essentially the most highly effective, however we’re happy to see wi-fi charging hasn’t been withheld on the bottom worth Pixel 9 telephone.

Operating a 3DMark stress benchmarking check revealed a excessive efficiency 20-minute gaming session is prone to take 10% from the battery, whereas the identical time taking part in Asphalt Legends: Unite took round 5%. When it comes time to recharge, the shortage of charging energy reveals up. A full cost with Anker’s 140W wall charger confirmed the 23W most, and it took 105 minutes to go from 1% to 100%. That is gradual in comparison with the Pixel 9, the Samsung Galaxy A56, and the OnePlus 13R. Solely about 40% is added to the battery after half-hour charging too, and this may increasingly impression these quick on each time and battery.

Google Pixel 9a: worth and availability

The Google Pixel 9a is accessible now for $499 when you select the 128GB model, or $599 if you would like 256GB of inner space for storing. There are 4 colours — Iris, Peony, Porcelain, and Obsidian — and it’s the Porcelain mannequin you possibly can see in our images.

Which telephones must you additionally think about? The Apple iPhone 16e is the telephone it will likely be in comparison with most, however anybody who solely desires Android received’t be looking to buy it. As an alternative, the Samsung Galaxy A56 and Nothing Cellphone 3a Professional are its high rivals, together with the $600 OnePlus 13R and the $650 Samsung Galaxy S24 FE when you don’t thoughts spending a bit of extra.

Google Pixel 9a: verdict

There’s a welcome clear development in Google’s Pixel vary, and it’s implausible to see Google isn’t forcing you to pay extra for an higher vary mannequin resulting from business-driven function omissions. The Pixel 9a may be very clearly the entry-level mannequin, and there’s a powerful case to be made to spend extra to get the Pixel 9, whether or not it’s for the improved digital camera, sooner charging, extra RAM, or the distinctive design.

Whereas this could typically end in compromises that diminish the worth of the entry-level telephone, Google has neatly prevented this example with the Pixel 9a. It has nice battery life, sensible software program, a special however nonetheless distinctive design, and an honest digital camera. It will get the basics proper too, whether or not that’s name high quality or software program updates, and comes with fashionable necessities like wi-fi charging and loads of AI.

All-too-often the bottom telephone will get a suggestion with the caveat you’d be clever to spend the additional to get the following mannequin up, however that’s not the case with the Pixel 9a. It’s a superb telephone by itself, and until you’re taking part in a whole lot of video games or actually need to take a whole lot of images, there’s no actual must get the Pixel 9. I’ve been actually glad with the Pixel 9a, and assume you may be too.