Google’s A-series phones have always been about delivering premium features at a more affordable mid-range price point. The new Pixel 9a looks set to continue that tradition.
But how does it stack up against its predecessor, the Pixel 8a? Let’s dive into the key differences and whether the Pixel 9a is worth the upgrade.
Design & Build
The Pixel 9a is getting a bit of a facelift, bringing it more in line with Google’s flagship Pixel 9 lineup. Unlike the Pixel 8a, which still has some curves and a classic Pixel camera strip, the 9a is going for a completely flat design with right-angled edges. The flush camera island is a big departure from all of Google’s recent phones.
In terms of size, the Pixel 9a is also slightly larger with a 6.3-inch display, compared to the 6.1-inch screen on the Pixel 8a. The new phone measures 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm, making it a touch taller and wider.
Interestingly, despite its bigger screen, the Pixel 9a is actually lighter at 186g compared to the Pixel 8a’s 188g.
Chris Martin / Foundry
For those who loved the more compact nature of the Pixel 8a, the size increase may not be ideal. However, for users who prefer a larger display for content consumption, the Pixel 9a is a welcome upgrade.
Cameras
On paper, the Pixel 8a seems to have the upper hand with its 64Mp main sensor compared to the 48Mp main camera on the Pixel 9a. However, bigger numbers don’t always mean better quality, and that appears to be the case here.
The Pixel 9a’s sensor is more advanced, borrowing from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, featuring an f/1.7 aperture, dual-pixel autofocus, and OIS.
What does this mean for everyday use? The Pixel 9a should perform better in low-light situations, with improved dynamic range and sharper images, despite having fewer megapixels.
Google’s software magic will undoubtedly play a role as well, ensuring top-tier image processing regardless of hardware changes.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Both phones retain the 13Mp ultrawide camera, so there won’t be much of a difference there.
But the Pixel 9a’s improved main camera could have a noticeable impact on overall image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Battery Life
One of the most exciting changes with the Pixel 9a is the battery. Google is equipping it with a much larger 5100mAh battery, compared to the 4492mAh cell inside the Pixel 8a.
That’s a significant jump that can make the Pixel 9a one of the best Pixel phones for battery life. Coupled with the more efficient Tensor G4 chip, the Pixel 9a has strong potential to last longer than its predecessor, especially in real-world use.
The Pixel 8a already provided decent endurance, but the Pixel 9a is expected to push things even further, making it a more reliable option for users who need a phone that lasts all day and beyond.
As a reminder, the Pixel 8a can last a day, but anything beyond that will be difficult. It also can charge from dead to 41% in 30 minutes. Google claims that the Pixel 9a offers over 30 hours of battery life and up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver.
Mattias Inghe
Charging is slightly improved, from 18W to 23W, but it’s still slow by modern standards. The 7.5W Qi wireless charging is even slower, though the improved battery life should make up for it.
Other differences
As mentioned earlier, the Pixel 9a comes equipped with the Tensor G4 chip, which offers some performance gains over the Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8a. While the difference might not be massive, users may see some improvements in AI-driven tasks and efficiency.
In our Geekbench 6 multi-core test, the Pixel 9 scored 4185 points, comfortably outscoring the Pixel 8a‘s 3955. While these scores are synthetic and don’t always mean a noticeable difference in the real world, we expect to see similar results with their A-series counterparts.
In terms of colour options, the Pixel 9a introduces new shades like Peony (pink) and Iris (purple), while the Pixel 8a was available in Aloe (green) and Bay (blue). If colour choices are important to you, this is a detail worth considering.
Lastly, both phones will receive seven years of software updates, but the Pixel 9a will continue to be supported until 2032, whereas the Pixel 8a will reach the end of its updates in 2031.
Price & Availability
The Pixel 8a launched at £499/$499 for the 8GB/128GB variant and £559/$559 for 256GB of storage.
You can buy it directly from Google and other third-party sellers, such as Amazon UK and Amazon US. However, discounts have made it more affordable over time.
The Pixel 9a is available to pre-order directly from Google, starting at the same price of £499/$499 as its predecessor. It gets you 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but it’s also available in a 256GB variant at £599/$599.
Verdict
If you’re already using the Pixel 8a, its successor doesn’t appear to be a must-have upgrade. The improvements are nice, but they may not be enough to justify buying a new phone so soon.
However, if you’re coming from an older Pixel phone or switching to the A-series for the first time, the Pixel 9a is shaping up to be an excellent choice. With its larger display, better battery life, and improved camera, it could be the best value Pixel phone yet.
If you want the latest and greatest mid-range phone without breaking the bank, the Pixel 9a looks like a solid bet. But if you can find the Pixel 8a at a steep discount, it could be a real bargain, especially with such long software support.
Ultimately, we won’t know for sure until we review the Pixel 9a for ourselves – look out for that soon.
