Google’s newest finances telephone, the $499 Pixel 9A, is now stocked in shops, contemporary off the heels of Apple’s “affordable” providing, the $599 iPhone 16E. Very handy timing. The Pixel 9A is $300 cheaper than the baseline Pixel 9 and subsequently scales again a bit relating to options like cameras and RAM. However, it maintains different attributes, like show dimension, processor and AI options — and even touts a better battery capability than its pricier Pixel counterparts. For extra on what the brand new telephone has in retailer, make sure you try CNET’s Pixel 9A assessment.So, is the Pixel 9A a great match for you? Here’s our information, with every little thing to think about. Camera information The Pixel 9A has a large and ultrawide digicam. James Martin/CNETBeing in a position to take good photographs is often a prime precedence when shopping for a brand new telephone since, for most individuals, their telephone is their solely digicam. The Pixel 9A has two cameras on the again: a 48-megapixel huge and 13-megapixel ultrawide, together with a 13-megapixel front-facing digicam. That locations the 9A’s rear digicam specs beneath these on the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, however megapixels aren’t the one think about getting high quality photographs. (You can try the spec chart beneath to see how the cameras examine on these telephones.)The Pixel 9A’s digicam helps Macro Focus, that means you will get nearer to your topic — like when you’re snapping a close-up of your scrumptious meal — and have it’s in crisp focus. With the 9A, Google makes use of the principle digicam to allow Macro Focus as an alternative of the ultrawide digicam, as with many different telephones. Watch this: Review: Google’s Pixel 9A Delivers on Price and Features
09:00 AI informationWhat’s maybe most notable concerning the Pixel 9A is the suite of AI modifying instruments you may nonetheless have entry to, even with that lower cost. Features like Magic Editor might help clear up your photographs and alter backgrounds, Best Take creates a picture the place everybody in a bunch picture appears to be like their finest, and Add Me employs AI and augmented actuality to include the photographer within the closing picture.For people who find themselves curious concerning the myriad AI options firms are bombarding us with, the Pixel 9A is usually a good system for dipping your toes in these waters, hopefully with out feeling inundated — and with out shelling out an excessive amount of money to see what all the excitement is about. I discover picture modifying instruments among the many finest makes use of of AI as a result of they get rid of the necessity for expensive software program and allow you to contact up photographs instantly in your system, with no particular abilities wanted.
The Pixel 9A’s Design: Google Takes Minimalism to the Extreme
See all photographs But when you would fairly enterprise deeper into AI territory, the 9A’s nonetheless received you coated. You’ll have entry to Gemini to assist with duties like writing, brainstorming and finishing up actions throughout apps. You’ll additionally get Circle to Search so you may be taught extra about no matter’s in your display — a function upon which I’ve change into closely reliant. Those options are nice as a result of they really feel like a pure technique to ease into AI since they’re so deeply built-in into your system and seamless to make use of. With AI being a staple of virtually each new telephone, tapping into these capabilities with out breaking the financial institution might be an attractive possibility for somebody who nonetheless is not positive what the massive deal is — after which see if the Pixel 9A modifications their thoughts.For those that maintain onto their telephones The Pixel 9A has the same 6.3-inch show because the Pixel 9 — although the Pixel 9’s display has a better max brightness. James Martin/CNETWhile carriers could count on you to improve your telephone each two years, producers like Google and Samsung have prolonged the window for software program and safety upgrades on their telephones to seven years. That applies to lower-priced telephones just like the Pixel 9A as effectively, giving budget-conscious shoppers much more cause to really feel like they’ve scored a deal.Not shopping for a flagship system may imply feeling much less prone to the pressures of upgrades. It’s sometimes extra premium telephones — often with minor tweaks — which can be aggressively pushed onto these eager to buy the newest tech. If merely having a telephone with key options is all that issues, then the Pixel 9A is usually a good technique to dodge all that noise. This may make the Pixel 9A a great possibility for youths, who most likely do not want the flashiest units. Features like Family Link enable dad and mom to handle privateness settings, display cut-off dates and site sharing, they usually may silence notifications and disable apps throughout faculty hours. The Pixel 9A has flat sides. James Martin/CNETThe Pixel 9A packs the identical Google Tensor G4 processor because the flagship Pixel 9 and 9 Pro however has 8GB of RAM as an alternative of the 12GB and 16GB you may get on these premium telephones. That ought to nonetheless be greater than sufficient for on a regular basis use, like scrolling by means of social media, snapping photographs and looking the online. If you are a heavy cellular gamer, 8GB of RAM won’t be superb, however it will not be a problem for most individuals. The Pixel 9A’s 6.3-inch OLED show matches up with what you may get on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, so you do not have to cut back your viewing expertise — particularly with a 60Hz to 120Hz variable refresh price that ought to make scrolling seamless. And with a 5,100-mAh battery, the Pixel 9A ought to be capable of final you all through the day. Like the iPhone 16E, the Pixel 9A truly touts a better battery capability than its pricier friends, which every have a 4,700-mAh battery. That may allow you to really feel such as you’re getting essentially the most bang in your buck. The Pixel 9A is available in 4 colours: obsidian, porcelain, peony and iris. James Martin/CNETWhat you will not get with this telephone is the Pixel 9’s Satellite SOS function, which makes use of satellites to contact emergency providers whenever you’re out of vary of a cell sign or Wi-Fi. But when you do not typically end up in locations with out cell service, like on a distant climbing path, then you definately hopefully should not really feel its absence. With all that in thoughts, if in case you have final yr’s Pixel 8A, there’s most likely not sufficient cause to improve to the 9A, as they share lots of the similar options, specs and AI capabilities. But when you’ve received a Pixel 7A and wish to faucet into some newer AI options, the 9A is perhaps attractive. Similarly, if in case you have a Pixel 6A or older, you can see a noticeable enchancment within the 9A’s digicam, battery life and total efficiency. And when you’d fairly dangle tight to your telephone and maintain stretching your greenback, extra energy to you.Google Pixel 9A vs. Pixel 8A vs. Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro Google Pixel 9AGoogle Pixel 8AGoogle Pixel 9Google Pixel 9 ProShow dimension, tech, decision, refresh price 6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate6.1-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels, 60-120Hz variable refresh rate6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate6.3-inch LTPO OLED; 2,856×1,280 pixels; 1-120Hz variable refresh pricePixel density 422 ppi430 ppi422 ppi495 ppiDimensions (inches) 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.4 in6 x 2.9 x 0.4 in6 x 2.8 x 0.3 in6 x 2.8 x 0.3 inDimensions (millimeters) 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm152 x 74 x 10.2 mm152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mmWeight (grams, ounces) 186g (6.6 oz)193 g (6.7 oz)198g (7 oz)199g (7 oz)Mobile software program Android 15Android 14Android 14Android 14Camera 48-megapixel (huge), 13-megapixel (ultrawide)64-megapixel (essential), 13-megapixel (ultrawide)50-megapixel (huge), 48-megapixel (ultrawide)50-megapixel (huge), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (5x telephoto)Front-facing digicam 13-megapixel13-megapixel10.5-megapixel42-megapixelVideo seize 4K4K4K4KProcessor Google Tensor G4Google Tensor G3Google Tensor G4Google Tensor G4RAM + storage 8GB + 128GB, 256GB8GB + 128GB, 256GB12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB16GB + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TBExpandable storage NoneNoneNoneNoneBattery 5,100 mAh4,492 mAh4,700 mAh4,700 mAhFingerprint sensor Under showUnder showUnder showUnder displayConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneNoneNoneSpecial options 7 years of OS, safety and Pixel function drops; Gorilla Glass 3 cowl glass; IP68 mud and water resistance; 2,700-nit peak brightness; 1,000,000:1 distinction ratio; 23W quick charging (charger not included); 7.5W wi-fi charging Qi licensed; Wi-Fi 6E; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (nano SIM + eSIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor; Photo Unblur; Super Res Zoom; Circle To SearchIP67 ranking mud and water resistance; 18W quick charging; 7.5W wi-fi charging; 5G (5G sub6 / mmWave); VPN by Google One; Circle to Search; 7 years Android OS updates; 7 years safety updates; Best Take; Audio Magic Eraser; Wi-Fi 6E; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (nano SIM + eSIM)Satellite SOS; 7 years of OS, safety and Pixel function drops; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cowl glass; IP68 mud and water resistance; 2,700-nit peak brightness; 45W quick charging (charger not included); 15W wi-fi charging with Google Pixel Stand (second gen); 12W wi-fi Qi-charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (eSIM + nano SIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic EditorSatellite SOS; 7 years of OS, safety and Pixel function drops; IP68 mud and water resistance; Video Boost with 8K Upscaling; Macro Focus on ultrawide; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cowl glass; 3,000-nit peak brightness; 45W quick charging (charger not included); 15W wi-fi charging with Google Pixel Stand (second gen); 12W wi-fi Qi-charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (eSIM + nano SIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic EditorUS value begins at $499 (128GB)$499 (128GB)$799 (128GB)$999 (128GB)UK value begins at Converts to £385 (128GB)£499 (128GB)Converts to £640 (128GB)Converts to £780 (128GB)Australia value begins at Converts to AU$780 (128GB)AU$849 (128GB)Converts to AU$1,210 (128GB)Converts to AU$1,510 (128GB)