Google has just unveiled its new mid-range smartphone, the Pixel 9a. The successor to the highly acclaimed Pixel 8a, this new model promises to be a milestone with notable improvements in design, performance, and photography.
Design and display: a clear inspiration from the Pixel 9
The Pixel 9a sports a redesigned design, directly inspired by the Pixel 9 series. It abandons the traditional rear bezel in favor of a flat back and a more discreet camera island, giving the smartphone a more premium look. Its slightly larger dimensions (154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm) and reduced weight (185.9 g) improve handling and immersion. In terms of new features, we get rounded edges and a new, improved 6.3-inch Actua display.
The 6.3-inch OLED display is the brightest ever seen on an "a" series model. It displays a Full HD+ definition (2424 x 1080 pixels) with a refresh rate of 60 to 120 Hz and a maximum brightness of 2700 nits. The Pixel 9a's panel is 35% brighter than that of the Pixel 8a. Protected by Gorilla Glass 3, it adds IP68 certification for protection against dust and prolonged immersion in water.
The Pixel 9a is available in two classic colors (Volcanic Black and Porcelain) and two pop colors: Peony and Iris.
Performance: a Tensor G4 a little different from the rest of the range?
Under the hood, the Pixel 9a is equipped with the Tensor G4 chip developed by Google. The American manufacturer mentions the presence of "the fastest and most efficient chip to date", but the various leaks suggest a variant specially optimized for this model. It would reduce costs while delivering solid performance, which will need to be confirmed in testing. This version of the Tensor G4, while slightly less powerful than the Pixel 9, is still compatible with Google's advanced AI features. It features an Exynos 5300 modem, which is slightly different from the one in the high-end models, but offers a smooth user experience.
The Pixel 9a has 8GB of RAM and is available in 128GB or 256GB storage versions.
Android 15, 7 years of updates, Gemini, and lots of AI
The Google Pixel 9a runs Android 15 and will receive 7 years of Android and security updates. It includes the Gemini AI assistant and features such as Circle to Seek and Pixel-exclusive Call Screening. Like the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, it includes Car Crash Detection and Theft Protection, not to mention Google's VPN at no extra cost.
In the Pixel 9a, we would find 8 GB of RAM (compared to 12 GB in the Pixel 9) with 128 GB or 256 GB of storage. On the software side, the Pixel 9a will reportedly ship directly with Android 15 and should benefit from 7 years of Android and security updates.
Photo: a 48 MP main sensor inspired by the Pixel 9 Pro Fold
The Pixel 9a retains a dual camera setup on the back, with a 48MP wide-angle main sensor (f/1.7) and a 13MP ultra-wide sensor (f/2.2), the latter being the same as the one in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. This change in the main sensor may come as a surprise, but Google's algorithms should help it achieve top-tier photography performance. There are also a slew of AI-powered features:
- Add Me: Launched with the Pixel 9 series, this feature combines two group photos into one, so everyone is in the picture.
- Best Shot: Creates the group photo by seamlessly combining facial expressions from a series of photos into a single image.
- Magic Retouch: Can automatically crop your photo, whether new or old. It can suggest the
best crop and even enlarge your image to get more of the scene. You can
also reimagine photos, for example, by adding autumn leaves or green grass.
Its new features on an “a” model join features like Magic Eraser, Audio Magic Eraser, Night Sight, Astrophotography, and the new Panorama with Night Sight. Plus, the Pixel 9a is the first in its class to feature macro focusing. Finally, a 13 Mpx (f/2.2) front sensor completes the package.
On the video side, the smartphone films in 4K at up to 60 images per second.
Battery life: a really faster battery
The Google Pixel 9a makes a significant leap by integrating a new battery 5100 mAh, an increase of about 13% compared to the Pixel 8a (4492 mAh). The Pixel 9a switches to wired charging at 23W, which is still rather slow even if Google improves (18W for the Pixel 8a). Finally, wireless charging remains at 7.5W and there is still no support for Qi2 technology.
Price and availability
The Pixel 9a is available for pre-order from March 19, 2025 and will be available for sale on March 26 2025. Prices in France are as follows:
- Pixel 9a 128 GB: 549 euros
- Pixel 9a 256 GB: 649 euros
This pricing positioning positions the Pixel 9a as a serious competitor to the iPhone 16. Apple's latest "affordable" model starts at €719, or €170 more (but that doesn't stop it from being a hit). In the Android world, its main rivals are likely to be the Samsung Galaxy A56 or the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro.
0 Comments