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(Image credit: Android Headlines) |
In August, Google introduced four iterations of the Pixel 9, but the Pixel 9a was not one of them.
Although that is expected given that Google's Pixel phones often release their "a" versions later, for those on a tight budget, the Pixel 9a can't come soon enough, since even the least expensive Pixel 9 now costs the same $799 as the iPhone 16.
What can we anticipate the Pixel 8a's successor bringing to the table given that it now tops our list of the best affordable smartphones? Here is everything we currently know about the Pixel 9a.
Google Pixel 9a: Expected Price and Release Date
During the yearly Google I/O developers conference in May, the last three Pixel "a" smartphones were all unveiled.
However, it appears that Google has different plans for the next year. According to Android Headlines, the Pixel 9a will be on sale in stores before the end of March 2025, with pre-orders starting in the middle of the month.
According to the website, this will not be an isolated incident but a permanent change in the program. Notably, it also corresponds with the shift in the release schedule for the regular-numbered Pixel phones, which this year were shifted from an October to an August release.
With the Pixel 9 range now beginning at $799 (up $100 from the Pixel 8), it would be great if the Pixel 9a kept the same $499 price point as its predecessor, but that doesn't seem very probable. We'll have to wait and see, but maybe it will be closer to $549 than to $599.
Google Pixel 9a: Rumored Design and Features
According to reports, the Pixel 9a will not resemble its predecessor in the slightest since it will no longer have the recognizable camera bar that has been a feature of the design since the 6-series.
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(Image credit: OnLeaks / Android Headlines) |
The dual-camera system is now housed inside an oval on the left side, flush with the backplate, as seen in the leaked renderings from Android Headlines and OnLeaks scattered throughout this article.
An previous leak that was made public by ShrimpApplePro on X also confirmed this.
Pixel 9a
— ShrimpApplePro 🍤 ずっと真夜中でいいのに (@VNchocoTaco) August 26, 2024
Source: some random post on Facebook pic.twitter.com/y8jwaQM6Z8
From the front, everything appears more familiar, with the only feature that breaks the entire screen (although with a pretty thick bezel) being a hole-punch camera.
The device's complete dimensions—152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm—are also disclosed by the leaks. Put another way, if the measurements are accurate, it will be somewhat slimmer and slightly taller than the Pixel 8a.
The hues revealed by the leaks are Iris, Peony, Obsidian, and Porcelain. In plainer language, that's blue-purple, pink, white, and black.
Google Pixel 9a: Expected Specs and Features
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(Image credit: OnLeaks / Android Headlines) |
According to Android Authority, the Pixel 9a would likely include the same Tensor G4 processor as the latest Pixel 9, but with a little catch. Although it is anticipated to have the same processing power, the Exynos Modem 5400 will not be used; instead, the 5300 seen in the Pixel 8 series will be used.
The majority of users won't notice this cost-cutting measure, but since the Pixel 9's Satellite SOS feature is powered by the 5400, the Pixel 9a will probably lose that potentially life-saving capability.
The other specifications are still a little unclear. According to Android Authority, it will still come with 128GB of storage out of the box and keep the 8GB of RAM from its predecessor. That would be a little disappointing because the Pixel 9 upgraded to 12GB in order to better handle the Gemini AI features, but we shouldn't worry too much because the Pixel 8a was competitive in the AI space.
The battery may "get a tad larger" than the 4,492mAh, according to Android Headlines, but it doesn't seem like a significant improvement.
Although the renderings display a dual-camera array, it is unclear if this will be an improvement above the 64MP/13MP wide and ultrawide combo seen on the Pixel 7a. Although the Pixel 8a's camera quality is excellent considering its price range, we expect that Google will be able to improve upon it by 2025.
Google Pixel 9a: Future Outlook and Expectations
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(Image credit: OnLeaks / Android Headlines) |
Even with the anticipated earlier launch timeframe, there are still a lot of unanswered questions around the Pixel 9a, particularly with regard to the camera and battery sectors.
Though it may be a "steady-as-she-goes" upgrade, the Pixel "a" series has consistently provided an excellent balance between performance and value. As things are, there's no reason to think that things will change in 2025, provided Google can continue to maintain that pricing competitiveness.