Summary: The Google Pixel 9a comes with a nerfed modem compared to the rest of the Pixel 9 series. It includes the Exynos 5300 modem with inferior stability and battery consumption. The phone also does not come with the Pixel Screenshots app, nor does it support the Call Notes feature because of the Gemini Nano model it’s running. The modem change is a serious downgrade.
The Google Pixel 9a may have the same processor as its Pixel 9 siblings, but it comes with a downgraded modem, unfortunately, as predicted last year. That’s not all, though, some other nefs took place here, unfortunately.
The Google Pixel 9a has a nerfed modem, which is a serious downgrade
The Pixel 9a ships with the Samsung Exynos 5300 modem. The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, on the flip side, include the same SoC, but the Exynos 5400 modem.
Some of you are probably wondering what’s the big deal. Well, it may not seem like it at first, but it kind of is. The Exynos 5400 modem was one of the main improvements for the Pixel 9 series. In fact, we believe it was the number 1 improvement Google made.
That modem improved the battery life drastically, while it also ditched some connectivity and reliability issues Pixel phones have had for years. So ditching that modem to use the Exynos 5300 is not the best idea Google had.
Sure, you can say that Google had to draw the line somewhere, that’s fair, but this is not the area the company should have done that in. Besides, the Pixel 9a has a number of other drawbacks in comparison to its siblings. So… we’re not convinced this way necessary.
The Satellite SOS feature is also not supported, the same goes for Pixel Screenshots
That’s not all, however. The Pixel 9a also doesn’t have access to the Satellite SOS feature that is available on other Pixel 9 devices. The Pixel 9a also does offer the Pixel Screenshots app, which organizes and recalls screenshots by analyzing content.
The Call Notes feature that offers a summary and transcript of calls is also not available on the phone. Why? Well, The Pixel 9a comes with Gemini Nano, but the version 1.0 XXS, compared to Gemini Nano XS on the rest of the Pixel 9 series.
