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Google’s Pixel 9a takes everything that was great about the Pixel 8a and looks to modernize it. With an all-new Pixel 9-inspired look and no camera bump, this might be the best $500 smartphone we’ve seen yet.
The Google Pixel 9a is one of my favorite smartphones of the year, as it’s a fantastic blend of performance and value. It is Google’s best A-series device ever, and it’s a perfect choice for Pixel fans who don’t want to spend close to $1,000 on a smartphone. Still, the Pixel 9a costs $500, which is nothing to sneeze at if you’re on a tight budget for your next device.
Thankfully, Amazon has a limited-time deal on the Google Pixel 9a where you can score one for $450, a $50 discount. It’s not a world-shattering deal, but since the Pixel 9a is already one of the best midrange smartphones you can buy, any savings push it further into the win column. Of course, any deal from Amazon doesn’t have strings attached, unlike many of the carrier offers you’ll see. You’ll receive an unlocked device, ready for any number of cellular providers.
Why you should buy a Google Pixel 9a
It’s hard to find fault with the Google Pixel 9a for under $500. Sure, I’d like slightly better gaming performance, but that’s not a deal-breaker for many. It’s also not like the Pixel 9a can’t game — you just won’t get the performance you would from the similarly priced OnePlus 13R. Aside from that, the Pixel 9a is fantastic. I love its 6.3-inch OLED display with Google’s Actua technology. Poor screens plagued earlier Pixel devices, but the last two generations have been excellent.
People can disagree about the Tensor G4 in a more expensive device like the Pixel 9 Pro XL, but there should be no complaints when it powers a midrange phone like the Pixel 9a. Performance is smooth, and overheating is minimal. The Pixel 9a also boasts fantastic battery life, allowing me to regularly get two full days of screen time on a single charge from its 5,100mAh cell.
Android 15 is running well on the Pixel 9a, and Google promises 7 years of software support. You’ll enjoy plenty of Google Gemini AI-enhancements and Pixel feature drops over the years, and you won’t need to consider another smartphone anytime soon. And let’s not forget, it’s still a Pixel camera, producing fantastic daytime imagery, with Night Sight providing crisp, low-light photos. All told, the Pixel 9a is worth considering, especially when it’s on sale.
