Google Pixel 9a review

The Google Pixel 9 series got a much-needed design refresh, and the Pixel 9a sticks to the core ideals of the new aesthetic for the most part. It doesn’t look quite as striking at the back as the similar-in-size Google Pixel 9 Pro, because of the flatter and smaller camera module. However, the flat back and textures are similar, as is the subtle Google logo and clean overall look.

The flat sides and flat back make the Google Pixel 9a really convenient to handle, and lets it sit practically flat on its back without too much of a visible bump up because of the camera. The 6.3-inch is the same size as that of the Pixel 9 Pro, although there are some differences in the specifications. 

 

 

 

 

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It’s an OLED screen, but the resolution is a bit lower at 1080x2424 pixels, and the refresh rate goes from 60-120Hz - there’s no LTPO functionality to let it drop to low-power levels. Peak brightness goes up to 2700 nits in specific situations, and you get the expected 20:9 aspect ratio.

That said, in most ways it’s as good, so there isn’t much to complain about here. You also get Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, fingerprint-resistant coating, and IP68 dust and water resistance. All in all, this is a decent set of features for the price, and this feels like a proper Pixel in most ways; you won’t often be reminded that the Pixel 9a is a ‘toned-down’ version.

As with the rest of the Google smartphone range in India, the Pixel 9a comes with a single memory and storage variant. You get 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage on the Pixel 9a, which might feel a bit underwhelming for some depending on your use cases. The RAM in particular was a bit concerning to me, suggesting that you’ll have to be a bit restrained in how you use the Pixel 9a - this isn’t a flagship with oodles of RAM to just let yourself go with.

However, where the Pixel 9a does match up to the rest of the Pixel range is the chipset. Under the hood is the same Google Tensor G4 processor, which is present on all the Pixel 9 series devices going up to the ultra-premium Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. 

Now it’s worth mentioning that the Tensor G4 doesn’t quite match up to flagship chipsets from Qualcomm and MediaTek, but that’s more of a comment on its adequacy on flagship Pixel devices. On the Rs. 49,999 Google Pixel 9a, it feels entirely appropriate and capable. You get its specific customisations and capabilities such as image and video processing, its ability to work well with the stock Android interface of the Pixel series, and its capabilities with Google’s Gemini AI tools - more on all of that later, though.

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The software package on the Google Pixel 9a is as you’d expect - stock Android 15 out of the box. Although the benefits of pure stock Android aren’t quite as pronounced as they used to be a few years ago, it’s still a big deal in terms of how clean the software package turns out. You might miss some of the useful features that some manufacturers tend to add, but you won’t miss the redundant and junky extra apps that the Pixel software keeps out.

More cameras mean more capabilities and features, which obviously isn’t a bad thing. However, fancy camera setups on flagship phones come at a cost, so you can expect mid-range options to come with more basic camera hardware. The Google Pixel 9a has a dual-camera setup which might feel a bit underwhelming, but the smartphone does a pretty good job with the two cameras it’s working with thanks to the Tensor G4’s optimisations and the famed Pixel camera magic.

You’d think that the Pixel 9a would just drop a camera at the back or even stick to the regular Pixel 9’s arrangement, but this one comes with a different dual-camera setup entirely. There’s a 48-megapixel primary camera with a 82-degree field-of-view and optical + electronic image stabilisation, paired with a 13-megapixel ultra-wide camera. At the front is a 13-megapixel camera.

Video recording and other capabilities aren’t as impressive as on the Pixel 9 Pro, but the 9a does cover the typically needed bits; you get 4K video recording at up to 60fps, up to 8x Super Res zoom (this isn’t optical zoom, by the way) and most of the AI tricks and features you see on the Pro models. The lack of optical zoom and the absence of HDR for video recording are major drawbacks, though.

Back to the positives - the Google Pixel 9a may not have a lot of fancy tricks, but it’s geared to get the basics right. The camera works well with what it has to deliver very good results when it comes to regular, everyday photography, and uses its AI tricks for things like ‘add me’ and long exposure. Even basic stuff such as portrait shots and low-light photography are fairly well handled by this device.

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I also quite liked the automatic macro mode, where the Google Pixel 9a detected when I was shooting close-ups and optimised performance for it - something that phones much more expensive than this struggle with. This is a classic point-and-shoot, built to deliver decent camera performance with little effort on the user’s part.

The Google Tensor G4 chipset is frequently criticised for not matching up to other flagship alternatives from Qualcomm and MediaTek. Although Google frequently points out that the Tensor G4 isn’t optimised for Pixel phones and their very specific features and functions, it’s still something that will sting a bit if you’ve spent a lot of money on the phone.

On the Google Pixel 9a, this doesn’t seem like such a big deal though. You still get those features and optimisations, while performance and core capabilities are largely in line with what you’d expect from other smartphones in this price segment. It’s actually a great balance, and the Pixel 9a feels different and with more practical benefits, rather than something that just goes big on numbers and specifications. 

 

 

 

 

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Just 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage may sound a bit iffy, but the Google Pixel 9a benefits from a lightweight operating system. You’ll still have to be a bit careful about not keeping too much going on at once, but if you’re sensible about it, the Pixel 9a will keep up with your pace. You’ll also get the benefits of AI and the Pixel’s superior camera capabilities, and on the whole this works as you’d expect from a Rs. 50,000 smartphone.

Battery life on the Google Pixel 9a is a bit better than that of the Pixel 9 Pro, and the simple explanation for this is that the battery is larger while most specifications are either the same or slightly more frugal. Don’t expect huge differences though; I was able to get a full day of use with ease (sometimes more) on a regular basis.

Charging is one department where the Pixel 9a gets a downgrade from the rest of the Pixel range. It’s slightly slower with support for 23W wired charging and only basic 7.5W wireless charging, so expect longer charging times going up to two hours for a full charge. Also, the phone doesn’t come with the charger in the box, so you’ll have to use an existing charging adapter or pick up a new one. There is a proper cable in the box though, so be sure to use that.

The Google Pixel 9a is a pleasantly capable smartphone for the price, and much unlike what most smartphones priced at under Rs. 50,000 are. It’s not a specification beast, doesn’t claim to be anything it isn’t, and delivers surprisingly good value-for-money at its price point - not typically things you’d expect from a Google Pixel smartphone.

This is a practical device that works with its hardware rather well, and gets the Pixel formula right with very good camera performance and software. Don’t be discouraged by the numbers; the Google Pixel 9a is well worth the look if you want a no-nonsense smartphone with a good camera system at under Rs. 50,000 in India.