4 reasons I’m excited about the new Google Pixel 9a (And 1 reason I’m not)

Out of all the Android releases that tech companies try to convince us we need each year, it’s the news of the next Pixel phone that I look for. Google’s Pixel phones usually impress me with their no-nonsense design and good specs, but I’ve been apathetic about the AI bloat and poor value of recent Pixel phones. If this trend had continued, I would have considered ditching Pixel devices for good.

So it was with great joy that I browsed all the news around the Google Pixel 9a. Google has listened to my prayers and introduced a phone that offers great value wrapped in a case that does away with silly marketing gimmicks. While I’ll wait for the full reveal before I make plans to trade in my Pixel 8, I’m optimistic about what the Pixel 9a has to offer. However, there is one feature that may make me skip another year of Pixel phones.

5

The lack of a camera bump is a practical upgrade

No more awkward phone cases

The Pixel 9a introduces the biggest visual change for a Pixel phone since the Pixel 7. While the camera layout is still there, the raised camera bar is completely gone; the phone’s back is nearly entirely flat. The camera lens does have a slight protrusion, but this is as flat as we can expect from any modern smartphone. Even the leaked cases for the Pixel 9a emphasize its slim profile.

I’ve always respected Google’s bold redesign for the Pixel 7. The raised camera bar gave the phone a distinctive look; I can tell if someone’s using a Pixel 7 or later from across the room. However, this was mostly a benefit for Google’s sales numbers, not our satisfaction. The raised camera bump acts as a dust magnet, it’s not especially attractive in the first place, and if you don’t use a case, your Pixel tends to slip off smooth surfaces.

I value practicality in my devices, and I want a phone that works without any flashy features. While critics will (reasonably so) point out the loss of character on the Google Pixel 9a, I’m happy that it looks like one of the most practical Pixel phones ever.

4

Fantastic battery life will last all day and more

This should mean less reliance on power banks

In keeping with my theme of practical upgrades, I’m thrilled to see the Pixel 9a’s battery life upgrade. The Google Store confirms the new Pixel 9a ships with a 5,100 mAh battery and wireless charging, a significant upgrade from the Pixel 8a’s 4,492 mAh cell.

Battery upgrades are nothing exciting by themselves, but I think that the Pixel 9a’s upgrade will be bigger than it looks on paper. The Pixel 8a averaged around four to five hours of screen-on time, which was more than enough for an average day.

But the battery upgrade isn’t the only hardware feature that should make the Pixel 9a a phone for the practical person. The leaked spec sheet also noted that the Pixel 9a will be powered by the Tensor G4 chip, the same chip on the Pixel 9. This chip had increased power efficiency compared to the Tensor G3.

The Pixel 9a’s 5,100mAh battery should make it a device you can comfortably use for photography or other mildly intensive activities all day without worrying about carrying a charging cable or power bank around. I want a phone that just works all day without a problem, and the Pixel 9a looks like it’ll nail this requirement.

3

The best-priced Pixel phone in 2025

Google gives us the phone we want at a price we want

Pixel phones don’t usually increase in price every year, they often take a gap year to consider their purpose in life. Inevitably (the year after), the price goes up, and we lament about how expensive phones are becoming. This has made me something of a cynic when it comes to the (relatively) low price of the Pixel 9a, but I can’t deny that the $500 price point is precisely what I want from a new Android phone in 2025.

$500 for a Tensor G4-powered Pixel phone with seven years of software support is a stellar deal. While it’ll pack weaker cameras than the Pixel 9, for many of us, including me, this isn’t a downgrade. All the signs are pointing towards the Pixel 9a being a better value phone than the Pixel 9. If Google had bumped the price to $600, I would be shoving people towards the Nothing 3a instead. Google has kept its A-series competitive in 2025, which is great for the consumer. While I’ll still be hanging on to my Pixel 8 for the foreseeable future, a good trade-in deal could compel me to switch.

2

A bigger and brighter screen

The Pixel 9a’s display is better than we expected

The new Google Pixel 9a sports a 6.3-inch display with 1060 x 2424 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ with 2700 nits of brightness. It has the same size, resolution, refresh rate, and brightness as the Pixel 9, a remarkable showing for a phone that’s $300 less.

While all these numbers are great for proving the phone’s value, HDR10+ is the most notable spec here. HDR10+ allows dynamic color depths within a frame so that creators can fine-tune scenes for greater color depth. This means richer and brighter visuals for us. It’s also why I’m happy to see the bigger display, despite my preference for small phones; richer visuals deserve more space.

1

Where are our faster charging speeds?

23W is better than before, but it’s still underwhelming

Samsung and Google’s refusal to implement faster charging speeds is reaching absurd levels. While OnePlus introduced 100W charging on phones like the excellent OnePlus 13R, Pixel phones have topped out at 37W. Even then, you have to shell out for the $1100 Pixel 9 Pro XL. While I don’t expect Google’s budget phones to reach 100W, I would, at the very least, expect to see it to be more competitive with other midrange phones.

Perhaps Google didn’t want to steal the Pixel 9’s thunder by matching its underwhelming 27W charging speed. The Pixel 9a is already shaping up to look like a better value phone, and matching charging speeds would make it an easy pick over the Pixel 9.

Google is looking increasingly isolated when it comes to justifying its phone’s pathetic charging speeds. Sure, it has Samsung for company, but considering the underwhelming launch of the S25 series, this isn’t company to be proud of.

My perfect Pixel phone is here

The Pixel 9a’s specs impressed me as it showed that Google has made meaningful hardware improvements without a corresponding price hike. I’m happy that Google has zeroed in on what makes the A-series unique: better value for practical features. However, the slight bump to 23W wired charging speed doesn’t make sense 2025. Even a budget phone like the Pixel 9a shouldn’t be hamstrung with these low numbers.