To lower the price of its Pixel range, Google offers the A series. It has been around since 2019 and the release of the Pixel 3a, a device also launched in an XL version, which had the merit of offering much better battery life thanks to lower performance. Much water has flowed under the bridge, and here we are six years later, at the ninth generation. The Pixel 9a has just been released to replace Google's Pixel 8a, launched in May 2024.
To compare the Pixel 9a and the Pixel 8a, just look at their design, which has evolved much more than the Pixel 6a and 7a. On the surface, it fits in with the rest of the range, even if it is also more unique in certain aspects that we will detail in this comparison. It is also an opportunity to talk about battery life, power, AI features, price and colors. We must not forget the screen, one of the strong points of the range, and one of the arguments for buying Google devices.
Summary
First of all, let's talk about its competitors and its prices. In addition to the Pixel 8a, which it replaces, the Pixel 9a will have to face the Samsung Galaxy A56, Nothing Phone (3a), and iPhone 16e in 2025. To do this, it launches at a price of 549 euros, in a version with 128 GB storage. Last year, the Pixel 8a cost the same price in the same version. As for the 256GB version, Google was asking €609. We don't yet know the price of the Pixel 9a 256GB, but it should be similar.
| Google Pixel 9a | Google Pixel 8a | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm | 152.1 mm × 72.7 mm × 8.9 mm |
| Weight | 186 g | 189 g |
| Waterproof | IP68 | IP67 |
| Screen | 6.3-inch Actua OLED 2424 x 1080 pixels 60 to 120 Hz 2700 nits brightness HDR | 6.1-inch Actua OLED 2400 x 1080 pixels 60 to 120 Hz 2000 nits brightness HDR |
| Audio | No 3.5mm jack Dual stereo speakers | No 3.5mm jack Dual stereo speakers |
| Processor | Tensor G4 Titan M2 (security) Exynos 5300 Modem | Tensor G3 Titan M2 (security) Exynos 5300 Modem |
| Memory vive | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage memory | 128 GB 256 GB UFS 3.1 | 128 GB 256 GB UFS 3.1 |
| Battery | 5100 mAh | 4492 mAh |
| Recharge | 23W wired charging (not included) 7.5W wireless charging | 18W wired charging (not included) 7.5W wireless charging |
| Biometrics | Under-display fingerprint reader 2D facial recognition | Under-display fingerprint reader 2D facial recognition |
| Camera | 48MP main sensor 13MP ultra-wide-angle sensor Video 4K at 60 frames per second | 64 MP Main Sensor 13 MP Ultra Wide Sensor 4K Video at 60 frames per second |
| Front Camera | 13 MP 4K Video at 30 frames per second | 13 MP 4K Video at 30 frames per second |
| Software | Android 15 7-year update | Android 14 7-year update |
| Connectivity | 5G WiFi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 NFC Google Cast | 5G WiFi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 NFC Google Cast |
| Colors | Black White Iris Peony | Black White Green Blue |
| Release date | April 2025 | May 14, 2024 |
| Introductory price | 549€ | 549€ |
Design: it's square on Pixel 9a, rounded on Pixel 8a
So let's get back to the design to introduce this Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a comparison, because there are changes. Google has decided to change its strategy, bringing its Pixel 9a closer to the Pixel 9 range in terms of the chassis. Thus, it has the same angular edges, with edges and a flat back. Everything is square, like an iPhone. On the Pixel 8a, Google differentiated its device from the rest of the range with a rounded back and edges. It's just a matter of taste, but at least the Pixel 9a doesn't stand out from the rest of the Pixel 9 range.
However, the Pixel 9a stands out in terms of the camera module. Its design marks a big difference from the rest of the range, whether it's the Pixel 8a or the Pixel 9 and older generations. Indeed, the strip crossing the entire width has disappeared, and the two camera modules are integrated under a black surface in the shape of a bean. The integration isn't the most aesthetic, but it has the merit of offering a flush surface and not a prominent camera module on the back of the smartphone.
While the Pixel 9a's frame is made of recycled aluminum, the back remains plastic. Google says it has improved the screen glass's resistance to micro-scratches, and the device is IP68 certified, compared to IP67 for the old Pixel 8a (better resistance to possible immersion).
In terms of dimensions, Google is enlarging its Pixel 9a. It is 2 mm longer compared to the Pixel 8a, and 0.6 mm wider. Thus, the screen goes from 6.1 to 6.3 inches. Despite this growth, the Pixel 9a is lighter than the Pixel 8a at 185 versus 198 grams. The thickness remains controlled at 8.9 mm, the same for the Pixel 9a and Pixel 8a.
In terms of colors, Google is not changing its tastes but is revising its shades. It says goodbye to the green of the Pixel 8a for a new Iris pink, which integrates alongside the “Peony” purple (which does not look like peony, but rather lavender). Blue therefore also disappears. For classic shades, customers will be entitled to black and white. Previously, on the Pixel 7a, the blue was much lighter and sat alongside a salmon-colored hue.
Screen: bigger and brighter, but not more efficient
In addition to going from 6.1 to 6.3 inches, the Google Pixel 9a's screen is brighter. Behind the panel, its pixels will push brightness up to 2700 nits, a 35% increase compared to the old Pixel 8a, which was limited to 2000 nits. We can see that Google is largely focusing on light output from one year to the next, since the Pixel 7a started from a long way back, at only 1000 nits. We will therefore appreciate the new Pixel 9a on this point, as well as on its excellent colorimetry and its 120 Hz refresh rate.
On the other hand, Pixel 9a and Pixel 8a both remain smartphones less expensive than the high-end. This means that the bezels on the sides of the screen remain very visible, and not as thin as on more expensive models. Regarding the screen refresh rate, Google does not allow its new Pixel 9a to go below 60 Hz, when possible. On high-end devices, going down to 1 Hz is a way to save battery charging.
Battery and charging: everything is increasing and happily
Speaking of battery, the battery life of the new Pixel 9a extends to 30 hours according to Google, compared to 24 hours in mixed use for the Pixel 8a. We're still waiting to put the new smartphone through the 01Lab to be sure, with real-world measurements, but the increase in battery life is almost certain as the battery goes from 4492 mAh to 5100 mAh. Battery life should also improve thanks to the introduction of a new processor, the Tensor G4, which can be found in more detail in the Pixel 9a and Pixel 8a spec sheet comparison.
On the charging side, the Pixel 9a will be able to accept up to 23 W wired charging, a slight increase compared to the 18 W of the old Pixel 8a. Wireless charging is capped at 7.5 W, which remains below the competition. Note that the smartphone does not come with a charger.
Processor and software: Pixel 9a and Pixel 8a share a fault
The Tensor G4 is the latest generation of Google processors, produced by Samsung. Introduced last year in August, it was integrated into the Pixel 9 range, with a 4nm engraving. If we take our Pixel 9a versus Pixel 8a comparison, we can see that the old Tensor G3 of the Pixel 8a had one more core, 9 compared to 8 cores on the Tensor G4. On the other hand, the new processor has cores that operate at a higher frequency, both for the efficient and high-performance cores.
According to Google, the new processor saves 20% of its power on the Pixel 9a compared to the old Pixel 8a processor. At the same time, thanks to the higher frequency of its cores, performance increases by 20%. Not enough to reach the performance of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, or even a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 according to some benchmarks, but Google defends itself by explaining that the development of its processors aims to meet very specific tasks and not to look pretty on paper, in technical sheets.
Among the other differences, there is the 5G modem. Just like the processor, the latter can have a big impact on energy consumption. And the bad news is that Google has not integrated the same model as that of its Pixel 9, namely the Exynos 5400 from Samsung. Customers will have to make do with the Exynos 5300, which in addition to being older, has encountered numerous network reception issues, and has increased the smartphone's consumption for no reason.
This is a point on which we will not be able to prefer the Pixel 8a either, because it has the same modem from Samsung. Google has chosen to reserve the modem change for its higher-end devices, which will soon be able to benefit from satellite connection thanks to the Exynos 5400 modem. It's a shame that for a smartphone costing more than 500 or even 600 euros, this type of defect remains very present without it causing any problems for the brand.
Otherwise, Google still includes 7 years of updates to the Android system (from Android 15) with its new Pixel 9a, as was the case previously with the Pixel 8a. Customers will be able to enjoy 100GB of free Google cloud storage and 3 months of free YouTube Premium.
Camera: Google removes 64 MP for 48 MP
For photos taken with a Pixel 9a, Google relies on two sensors: a main lens with a 48 MP sensor and a 13 MP ultra-wide-angle. As you can see, Google has decided to review the camera module's equipment compared to the old Pixel 8a which integrated a 64 MP sensor for its main lens. The reason? This is most likely due to the brand's desire to offer something more robust in low light, and for taking photos of the stars.
Indeed, with fewer pixels, camera sensors can be larger and therefore absorb much more light. To take images with excellent sharpness, it is still preferable to look for sensors with many more pixels, but when it comes to versatility, it is always better to favor more contained sensors. This has already worked for Google in the past, which did not compete for numbers compared to its competitors. The brand prioritizes software processing.
In the end, the Pixel 9a has a 48 MP main sensor compared to 64 MP for the Pixel 8a, and adds Astrophotography mode, as well as panoramic shooting in night vision mode. On the autofocus side, Google is adding macro mode, for taking close-up photos, which was previously unavailable on the Pixel 8a and older devices.
Finally, on the AI features side, the Pixel 9a is adding a feature to add two group photos to ensure the missing person, the one taking the photo, is added. Another tool lets you add group photos together to show the best facial expressions of the people in the photo.
AI and voice assistant: the Pixel 9a is smarter
Let's continue with the new features related to artificial intelligence in this Google Pixel 9a or Pixel 8a comparison. There's something new on this point, as smartphones in 2025 are adding more and more new software features as well as technical features. At Google, we benefit from AI with Gemini, and Apple has reason to be jealous. Indeed, the new Pixel 9a adds Gemini and Gemini Live, the tool allowing the customer to chat with the voice assistant seamlessly, thanks to Google's conversational agent model.
Soon, it will also be possible to use Gemini Advanced, a tool that will connect the Pixel 9a's camera or screen display to communicate with the voice assistant in an even more enriched way. Note that Gemini also allows you to perform actions on Google Maps, Google Calendar, and YouTube, making searches easier in particular.
Alongside the Tensor G4 processor, Google integrates the Titan M2 security coprocessor chip, which, thanks to AI, can perform several protective actions. These include car accident detection, theft protection, and Google's VPN.
Review: Pixel 9a or Pixel 8a?
Replaced by the Pixel 9a, the Google Pixel 8a remains available, at an unbeatable price, fluctuating between 400 and 450 euros, far from its original 549 euros. Now, the two latest Google Pixel A series are around a hundred euros apart, the price to pay to get the latest features of the Pixel 9a, or to do without them.
In our comparison, we will mainly note that the Pixel 9a's screen is larger and brighter, that its design is more square, that its battery is larger and recharges faster, and that its photo sensor will be better at night. We will also appreciate the latest software updates, and among them the arrival of Gemini Live in particular.
Otherwise, the Pixel 9a is identical to the Pixel 8a from the point of view of its 5G modem, which is a negative point as the latter encounters problems and proves to be energy-hungry. The Pixel 8a's camera integration also makes it more premium, and some will prefer the rounded design of its edges. In terms of connectivity, the Pixel 8a and Pixel 9a are also a draw: 5G, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and Google Cast, as is the storage, with 8GB of RAM and the choice of 128 or 256GB storage.
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