Last we heard, the Pixel 9a is rumored to launch in mid-March. This means that its official launch is close at hand, and that is why it’s not surprising that we’re getting more leaks leading up to the announcement. The latest leak comes courtesy of Evan Blass, who shared (and later removed) a render of the front of the Pixel 9a showing off its bezels.
Looking familiar
This is not the first time we’ve seen renders of the Pixel 9a. We exclusively report back in September 2024 renders of the upcoming handset. From what we can tell from these new renders, it looks pretty much the same as the earlier leaks. The front of most phones tends to look the same, but the bezels, placement of the buttons, and antenna lines on the sides of the Pixel 9a are identical to the renders we shared last year.
We wish we could see the back of the phone. It would be nice to corroborate the camera’s design. Unlike previous Pixel smartphones, Google is doing away with the camera bar on the Pixel 9a. Instead, the company is opting for a camera module that sits more flush against the back of the phone.
It is quite a pity the camera bar is gone for the Pixel 9a. Love it or hate it, the camera bar on Google’s Pixel phones did help it stand out against the competition.
What we know so far
The upcoming Google Pixel 9a is shaping up to be one of the most impressive A-series phones yet. The leaks reveal that the new device features a 6.3-inch display, which is slightly larger than its predecessor and boasts an incredible peak brightness of 2,700 nits. This will help ensure better visibility outdoors.
The Tensor G4 chipset will power the handset alongside 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM. The Tensor G4 could also be the last time we see a Samsung-made chipset powering a Pixel smartphone. The Pixel 10 is rumored to be the first Pixel phone to use a truly custom chipset from Google. The Tensor G4 also means that the Pixel 9a will perform similarly to the Pixel 9, or so we hope. Storage options include 128GB and 256GB.
Battery life is also getting a boost with a 5,100mAh battery. This is the largest ever in a Pixel A-series phone. On the camera front, Google is using a 48MP primary sensor. The Pixel 9a features a “downgrade” in megapixel count compared to the Pixel 8a’s 64MP sensor. However, we heard Google will switch to a larger sensor. This will benefit low-light photography despite the lower megapixel count.
With these specs, the Pixel 9a makes quite a compelling argument for what budget-friendly phones can offer. So, if you’re looking for a new phone that won’t break the bank, keep an eye out for the Pixel 9a’s launch which could take place mid-March.
