Google Pixel 9a Review: A Really Good Buy

The Pixel 9a, Google’s newest mid-range smartphone, makes use of the identical successful system as its predecessors. It’s probably the most inexpensive Pixel cellphone within the 9 sequence, and for those who’re somebody who likes to take images, the 9a is a good choice. There are a few modifications this 12 months by way of design. Unlike final 12 months’s Pixel 8a, which was rounded and resembled the Pixel 8, the brand new Pixel 9a seems considerably completely different. It has flat sides and the acquainted Pixel digital camera bar, however it now sits flush in opposition to the rear.

Apart from the up to date design, which is now extra in sync with the Pixel 9 lineup, the 9a additionally will get a brighter and barely greater show, a more recent chipset, upgraded cameras, quicker charging, and the biggest battery to be ever packed in a Pixel cellphone – 5,100mAh.

The matte end rear panel attracts fingerprints and smudges

 

In India, the Pixel 9a is obtainable with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, priced at Rs. 49,999. You may also select between three color choices. We obtained the Obsidian variant for assessment. If you are contemplating buying one however need assistance deciding, learn on for our complete assessment.

Google Pixel 9a Design: It’s gone flat!

• Dimensions – 154.7×73.3×8.9mm
• Weight – 186g
• Colours – Iris, Porcelain, Obsidian Ingress ranking – IP68

The Pixel 9a includes a refreshed design that is noticeably flatter than its predecessors—and I fairly just like the change. As ordinary, Google has drawn design cues from its extra premium Pixel 9 sequence. The cellphone now sports activities a flat body, rounded corners, and a very flat entrance show. You’ll see thick bezels throughout, however not less than they’re uniform now. There’s a digital camera cutout on the high centre, and you will find an optical under-display fingerprint sensor positioned in the direction of the underside.

The Pixel 9a includes a flat body

 

The energy button and quantity rocker are positioned on the appropriate edge. The SIM tray is positioned on the backside, however it has been swapped with the underside loudspeaker grille. You’ll additionally discover a USB Type-C port and a microphone on the backside. The high of the cellphone homes a single microphone.

In phrases of construct, the body is product of aluminium, whereas the again panel is product of plastic and includes a matte end. You might mistake it for glass, which is what occurred to me. The matte end provides the cellphone a premium feel and appear, however can entice fingerprints and smudges, particularly the Black (Obsidian) color variant. The entrance is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, which is disappointing as most telephones on this value vary provide significantly better and newer glass safety. However, the Pixel 9a now provides an IP68 ingress ranking.

The bezels on the entrance are fairly thick

 

There’s a serious design shift when in comparison with older Pixel A telephones, which turns into evident while you flip the cellphone over. Google has changed its signature digital camera visor with a pill-shaped digital camera module that sits flush with the rear panel. While it nonetheless retains a definite Pixel id, it lacks the visible uniqueness that the older digital camera bar provided.

In phrases of in-hand really feel, the 9A is snug to carry and can be utilized one-handed with no case. It’s barely bigger than the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, however weighs much less.

Google Pixel 9a Display: Big and brilliant

• Size and backbone – 6.3-inch POLED, full-HD+, 20.2:9 side ratio
• Refresh fee – 120Hz
• Screen safety – Corning Gorilla Glass 3

Google has included a barely bigger show on the Pixel 9a, in comparison with the 8a. You get a 6.3-inch POLED panel with 120Hz refresh fee, full-HD+ decision (1080 x 2424 pixels), and a pixel density of 422ppi. The firm claims that the show provides a peak brightness of two,700 nits and roughly 1,800 nits in high-brightness mode. In my utilization, I discovered the panel to be a lot brilliant each indoors and outdoor. The textual content is simple to learn, even in direct daylight.

Google provides two color modes on the Pixel 9a

 

As all the time, the 120Hz refresh fee mode is disabled by default. You should head to Settings > Display and Touch to toggle Smooth show. The cellphone will then change to 120Hz and determine when to make use of the total 120Hz for content material. In phrases of colors, the show has a really pure palette. There are two choices out there in Settings to regulate color output – Adaptive and Natural. The former exhibits barely saturated colors. The viewing angles on the panel are nice, and also you get help for HDR10+ and HLG. Streaming content material in excessive decision will not be an issue because the cellphone provides an L1 Google Widevine DRM certification.

The 9a’s fingerprint scanner is not as quick because the ultrasonic sensor on the 9

 

The 9a options an under-display optical fingerprint scanner, which is positioned in an acceptable location. It’s quick and labored properly in the course of the assessment. The sensor sometimes struggled when my fingers have been moist, however in any other case, I did not encounter any points.

Google Pixel 9a Software: Clean and sprinkled with AI

• OS model – Android 15
• Latest safety patch – July 5, 2025
• AI options – Pixel Studio, Add Me, Gemini AI

Like all Pixel smartphones, you may get the newest Android OS on the 9a. While it did not come pre-installed with Android 16, the replace was out there as quickly because it was publicly launched. Pixel telephones can be among the many first to obtain the newest Android replace, making certain you all the time have the perfect software program out there from Google in your gadget. The Pixel 9a will get seven years of Android OS updates and safety patches.

You will get 7 years of Android OS updates with the 9a

 

You’ll discover a clear person interface and probably the most inventory Android expertise, however that does not imply there isn’t any customisation. The UI provides AI wallpapers, icons, icon shapes, accent colors, completely different clock kinds, lockscreen shortcuts, and widgets. There are a few Pixel-exclusive options, akin to Now Playing and At a Glance. Google may also provide new options with Pixel Drops.

The Pixel 9a will get a number of new AI options, akin to Add me in Camera and the Pixel Studio, which helps you to create photographs primarily based in your creativeness. Google’s Gemini AI replaces the Assistant for all of your search and different wants, and also you additionally get Circle to Search. However, Google hasn’t included the Screenshot app that is discovered on the opposite Pixel 9 telephones.

Pixel Studio is enjoyable to make use of and allows you to create photographs through textual content

 

All of the AI options, together with Add me and Pixel Studio, labored as marketed. The cellphone additionally options different AI digital camera capabilities, together with Best Take and Magic Editor. You’ll be hard-pressed to search out related options baked into telephones in the identical value vary. While the customisation choices could also be extra restricted than on some Android skins, the clear, minimal interface stays a key spotlight of the Pixel expertise. There’s additionally no bloatware, which is one thing you may’t say with different telephones within the value bracket.

Google Pixel 9a Performance: Good sufficient

• Chipset – Google Tensor G4 (4nm)
• RAM – 8GB
• Storage – 256GB UFS 3.1

The Pixel 9a is supplied with the identical Tensor G4 that is discovered within the different Pixel 9 sequence telephones. You are restricted to a most of 8GB RAM, which might be considerably restrictive when multitasking or operating sure AI options. In India, we’ve a single 256GB storage variant, and there isn’t any expandable storage choice. The Tensor G4 is relatively slower on paper when in comparison with chipsets such because the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Exynos 2400e, MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra or the Dimensity 8350. However, that is probably not a problem in real-world utilization. I hardly ever seen any stutter or lag when navigating the UI.

Benchmark	Google Pixel 9a	OnePlus 13R	Oppo Reno 13 Pro	iPhone 16e	Poco X7 Pro
AnTuTu v10	9,97,063	19,14,550	13,73,029	13,86,440	16,02,933
PCMark Work 3.0	12,713	15,043	12,032	NA	14,628
Geekbench 6 Single	1,661	2,112	1,372	3,229	1,549
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,797	4,943	4,163	7,888	6,216
GFXB T-rex	120	60	93	59	120
GFXB Manhattan 3.1	118	60	120	59	118
GFXB Car Chase	83	60	120	59	89
3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL	Maxed Out	Maxed Out	Maxed Out	NA	Maxed Out
3DM Slingshot	Maxed Out	Maxed Out	Maxed Out	NA	Maxed Out
3DM Wild Life	Maxed Out	Maxed Out	Maxed Out	Maxed Out	Maxed Out
3DM Wild Life Unlimited	9,425	19,178	11,518	13,146	13,102

Gaming on the Pixel 9a can also be fulfilling, and most video games I attempted ran easily. I performed BGMI and Asphalt Legends, each of which ran completely superb.

The cellphone additionally did not warmth as a lot throughout gaming or when utilizing the digital camera. However, it does are inclined to get heat when charging. To be sincere, the cellphone carried out higher than the Pixel 9 by way of thermal administration. I additionally did not discover any thermal throttling, which was fairly evident on the 9.

The 9a can run any sport with ease

 

The Pixel 9a includes a twin hybrid speaker setup, with a devoted loudspeaker positioned on the backside and the earpiece serving because the second speaker. The cellphone has respectable loudness, and the sound is evident with no crackling. However, it does lack bass.

The cellphone options Bluetooth 5.3 with LE, NFC, tri-band Wi-Fi 6E, and help for 5G Sub 6GHz and eSIM. During my assessment, I didn’t face any connectivity points and located the microphone to be clear for calls.

Google Pixel 9a Cameras: Great for the worth

• Main rear digital camera – 48-megapixel broad, f/1.7, OIS
• Secondary rear digital camera – 13-megapixel ultrawide, f/2.2, 120-degree FoV
• Front digital camera – 13-megapixel ultrawide, f/2.2

This 12 months, Google hasn’t made any main modifications to the digital camera setup on its A-series Pixel cellphone. The major rear sensor is new and includes a wider aperture than final 12 months’s, permitting it to seize extra mild. Meanwhile, the ultra-wide and entrance digital camera sensors are the identical as final 12 months. Google has additionally eliminated HDR video seize on the 9a, which is uncommon because it was out there on the 8a. However, you continue to do get Ultra HDR help for images and RAW picture seize.

The 9a will get a brand new major rear digital camera

 

The person interface of the digital camera app is easy, with entry to all modes and settings out there under the seize button. You can change between Photo and Video modes with a fast faucet on the toggle on the backside.

In phrases of picture high quality, the images taken from the first rear digital camera are spectacular in daylight situations. The photographs have loads of particulars, pure colors, well-balanced publicity, and wonderful dynamic vary. Eight out of ten images taken from the digital camera will depart you very happy.

Daytime images shot with the first rear digital camera at 1x [Tap to expand]

 

It’s the identical story with the ultra-wide digital camera, which takes detailed and colour-accurate pictures in daylight situations. Photos from the ultra-wide additionally color match with the first digital camera, however you’ll discover fewer particulars across the edges.

Daylight images shot utilizing the ultrawide digital camera [Tap to expand]

 

The Portrait mode on the cellphone is fairly good, and also you get to decide on between 1.5x and 2x. You get detailed pictures that provide correct pores and skin color and good edge detection with fairly sensible bokeh.

Portrait pictures: Top at 1.5x, backside at 2x [Tap to expand]

 

Pixel 9a additionally options Macro focus, which helps you to take close-up pictures of topics. The cellphone will routinely allow the macro mode, denoted by a flower icon on the highest left nook, while you get near a topic. In daylight situations, the macro images provide loads of element and depth of discipline.

When the solar goes down, the first rear digital camera continues to carry out properly with and with out Night Sight. The images provide an excellent quantity of element with nearly no noise and correct color copy. The Night Sight mode can routinely activate when the cellphone detects low mild ranges. You may also manually allow it, and Night Sight images are sharper with increased ranges of element.

Lowlight images with the primary rear digital camera [Tap to expand]

 

However, the ultra-wide digital camera does not carry out in addition to the first sensor in low-light situations. You’ll discover some noise and comfortable particulars which can be principally blurry.

Ultrawide samples [Tap to expand]

 

You get 2x digital zoom, and the outcomes are fairly good in daylight situations. I would not advocate utilizing the 2x zoom in low-light situations, as the photographs can seem noisy and comfortable.

Selfies taken with the Pixel 9a are notably good in the course of the day or when there’s ample mild. Although there isn’t any autofocus, the photographs provide loads of element, correct pores and skin tones, and good colors. Lowlight selfies are additionally respectable, offered there’s good lighting. You will see pure pores and skin tones, but in addition discover that the photographs might be blurry and lack element.

The video high quality from the primary rear digital camera is nice, however not notably spectacular. You can shoot 4K 60fps movies from the first sensor, in addition to 4K 30fps or 1080p 60fps utilizing the ultra-wide and entrance cameras. Stabilisation is nice with three choices out there – Standard, Locked, and Active. Lowlight video high quality is respectable from the first digital camera.

The ultrawide video efficiency is common in daylight situations, with the output being comfortable and noisy. It will get noisier and softer as the sunshine disappears.

Google Pixel 9a Battery: Pretty good

• Capacity – 5,100mAh
• Charging – 23W wired, 7.5W wi-fi, Bypass

The 9a has the biggest capability battery of any Pixel cellphone ever. The cellphone can simply final a day and even longer with average utilization. I persistently acquired round 5 to six hours of screen-on time. My utilization included texting, voice calls, looking, streaming on YouTube and Netflix, and about half an hour to 45 minutes of gaming.

In the PC Mark Work 3.0 battery life check that measures the battery life from 100 to twenty %, the cellphone lasted 17 hours and 55 minutes, which is fairly good.

The Pixel 9a provides wi-fi charging help

 

As for charging, the cellphone helps 23W wired charging, which isn’t notably spectacular. The cellphone takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to totally cost from 0 to 100%, with a 30-minute cost delivering about 45 % cost. I used a 30W Google adapter for charging the cellphone, and you will have to get one because the cellphone does not include a charger.

Google Pixel 9a Verdict

One of the most important rivals for the Google Pixel 9a is the iPhone 16e (Review), and I’d simply advocate this over the Apple cellphone, particularly for those who’re after a flexible digital camera setup, a greater show with the next refresh fee, and do not actually care concerning the ecosystem. However, on the Android aspect, there are some worthy options, such because the Poco X7 Pro (Review), Oppo Reno 13R (Review), Nothing Phone 3a Pro (Review), and the OnePlus 13R (Review). 

The Pixel 9a is certainly not a ‘Value for cash’ smartphone, however in order for you the cleanest Android OS expertise and well timed updates, an excellent show, stable cameras, an IP68 ranking, and good battery life, then you’ll not go incorrect with what Google has to supply. The cellphone is a very good purchase.