Google has systematically order among the best smartphones for its low-priced devices over the past six years , especially with its Pixel A series . The Pixel 3a set the trend for major phone manufacturers to supply a compelling experience at half the terms of flagship good example , intensifying competition in this segment .
In the last three months , we ’ve seen Samsung introduce theGalaxy A56and Galaxy A36 , which present features from theGalaxy S25 seriesat a importantly downhearted cost point . Then there ’s Apple , which entered the market place with theiPhone 16e , price considerably gamy than its competition . Additionally , Nothing offers theNothing Phone 3aandPhone 3a Pro , arguably thebest phonesavailable at $ 379 and $ 459 , severally .
Each phone direct to replace thePixel 8aas the best mid - range phone . Google ’s reply ? The Pixel 9a . The launch was delayed due to a component issue , but the Pixel 9a is ultimately define for its long - look debut . Here are four understanding why I ’m excited about Google ’s newfangled mid - range flagship .
A flagship processor
The Pixel 9a is powered by the Tensor G4 , the same flagship chipset used in theGoogle Pixel 9 serial . It figure out many problems with previous Pixel phones , and while improving the performance over previous chipsets , it is also significantly more effective .
A flagship processor at this Leontyne Price is notable , especially as it should offer considerably more carrying into action than the central processing unit used in the contender . The rival all use processors built on the same 4 micromillimetre process as the Tensor G4 , but unlike Google ’s mainframe , they are never used in phones that touch the good flagships .
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in the Nothing Phone 3a is a yr older and a step down from the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 . Meanwhile , the Exynos processor in the Galaxy A56 is n’t used in any of Samsung ’s flagship devices , which alone apply the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy worldwide .
The secretive contender is the iPhone 16e , which uses the same A18 processor as theiPhone 16 , although our examination found that it ’s considerably less performant . It stay to be seen how the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9a compares to other Pixel phone , but paired with 8 GB of RAM , it should provide a flagship - similar carrying out .
Much better battery life
If there ’s one area that Google phones have traditionally struggled with , it ’s electric battery life . The Pixel 9a looks to regenerate this with the biggest battery in a Pixel and improvements from the flagship processor within .
The 5,100 mAh battery is the braggy ever in a Pixel phone and also fully grown than most phones , include Samsung’sGalaxy S25 Ultra , which costs $ 1300 . By comparison , the Pixel 8a had a 4,492 mAh battery , so the Pixel 9a electric battery is 14 % larger , while the Nothing Phone 3a and Galaxy A56 both boast 5,000 mAh electric battery . The iPhone 16e , meanwhile , has a 4,005 mAh battery , but it ’s one of the largest on an iPhone and offers outstanding battery life , so it ’ll be interesting to see how it liken to the Pixel 9a .
The Pixel 9a also offer meliorate pumped-up charging , up to 23W from 18W in the Pixel 8a . However , this picket in comparison to the competition , with the iPhone 16e ( 29W ) , Galaxy A56 ( 45W ) , and Nothing Phone 3a serial ( 50W ) all offer considerably faster charging .
For the first meter , the Pixel A series let in 7.5W wireless charging . It ’s not super fast , but it ’s singular to the Pixel 9a at this price gunpoint . Even the iPhone 16e , which is priced higher , lacks any form of wireless charging .
Unique and interesting colors
Phones are boring ; well , most of them are . There are some unique colors and designs at flagship price , and the well folding phones never discontinue to amaze , but the practiced low-priced speech sound can lack a bit of vibrancy .
The Nothing 3a and Nothing 3a Pro feature distinct designs that stand out but may not appeal to everyone . The iPhone 16e shares the same designing as the residuum of the iPhone 16 serial but miss coloration options beyond black or white . The Galaxy A56 design only stand out if you choose the correct color ; while it does resemble the best Samsung phones , the pink and olive chromaticity differ from the common selection .
However , the Pixel 9a outshines the competition with two fairly unique colors . It ’s available in the stock black ( Obsidian ) and livid ( Porcelain ) colorways , but it also hail in pink ( Peony ) and lavender ( Iris ) . The latter two are striking and ensure the Pixel 9a stands out , particularly as it has lost a central design feature .
A compelling camera without a bump
If you ’ve corrupt a late Pixel headphone , you ’ll be used to Google ’s iconic photographic camera saloon . If you buy the Pixel 9a , you ’ll be shock that Google has done away with it . or else of a black photographic camera measure with a ample bump , the Pixel 9a has a dual photographic camera raiment inside a pill shape and virtually no camera prominence .
The lack of a television camera bump is a new trend in low-priced phones , and the Pixel 9a pursue the iPhone 16e in shaving the bump to almost nothing . An add up welfare is that this design allows the Pixel 9a to lay bland on a board without wobbling , a vulgar trouble on most phones with any form of tv camera bump .
Despite lack a camera bump , the Pixel 9a has a fairly compelling television camera . The new 48MP principal camera has an f/1.7 aperture , dual pixel form catching autofocus ( PDAF ) , and OIS , and it is paired with the same 13MP ultrawide found on the Pixel 8a . Like most phone , the 48MP camera also offers 2x optical zoom by pasture the sensor .
The Pixel 9a ’s photographic camera is well - position against the challenger . It outsmart the individual photographic camera on the iPhone 16e but does n’t have the triple television camera frame-up of the Galaxy A56 and Nothing 3a serial publication . Having reviewed the iPhone 16e , the Pixel 9a also resolve my chief ill with that headphone thanks to the ultrawide tv camera .
Outstanding value for money
Undoubtedly , the chief reason to grease one’s palms the Pixel 9a is its exceptional time value for money . Starting at $ 499 in the US ( or £ 499 in the UK ) , it ’s priced at exactly half thePixel 9 Proand have the same display as theGoogle Pixel 9 .
The Pixel 9a offers compelling feature at a price far more approachable than the rest of the Pixel 9 series . The battery is solid , performance will likely be fantastic , and the show is as good as the incoming - horizontal surface Pixel 9 .
Yes , the plastic anatomy wo n’t be as courteous as the finishing on the respite of the serial , and the lack of a tv camera saloon also means it ’s much more generic , but it ’s a compelling smartphone at an fantabulous price . I ’m far more excited about the Pixel 9a than I initially expected .
