Bli plusmedlem

Just as fast

Pixel 9a launched - Cheaper and with longer battery life

Google has launched Pixel 9a with the same Tensor chipset as the Pixel 9 phones but at a lower price.

Elias Nordling
Published

For most mobile manufacturers, performance is the clearest difference between their mid-range models and top models. Google, however, true to its habit, lets the Pixel 9a have the same Tensor G4 chipset as the top models Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.

For Google, the Pixel phones are a platform to showcase their services, especially in artificial intelligence, and therefore it is important for them that the Pixel 9a has the same performance as its bigger siblings.

The price of the Pixel 9a is 6590 kronor for the version with 8/128 GB (it is also available with 256 GB for 7790 kr), which is more than 4000 less than what is charged for the Pixel 9 with 128 GB storage, and this is noticeable, among other things, in the appearance. The design feels simpler, the frame is indeed in recycled aluminium, but the back is in 80 percent recycled plastic. The fact that the camera island is less protruding is partly due to the entire phone being thicker than the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. It should be mentioned that the phone is waterproof according to IP68.

In return, the thickness has also been utilised for a larger battery, 5100 mAh compared to 4700 in the Pixel 9 and 4500 in the Pixel 8a. Thus, the Pixel 9a could become Google's phone with the best battery life. 

The Pixel 9a has received a 6.3-inch screen, larger than on the Pixel 8a and the same size as on the Pixel 9. However, the screen has thicker black frames around it, making the entire phone slightly larger. The screen, like the Pixel 9, has a 120 Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 2700 mAh. However, the screen glass is of the older type Gorilla Glass 3 and therefore slightly less durable than in the other Pixel 9 models.

Regarding the cameras, we have a new main sensor with 48 megapixels and a wide-angle camera with 13 megapixels, which now features autofocus for macro photography. The camera is therefore expected to be an improvement over the Pixel 8a, while we can assume it won't be as good as in the Pixel 9. According to Google, the camera is the best in the phone's price range. 

Google Pixel 9a has the same AI features for language and image processing as the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, and just like them, many of the features are missing in Sweden. One difference is that there are no free months with Gemini Advanced included with the Pixel 9a, but those who choose to pay will of course have access to the features that come with Gemini Advanced.

A new AI feature coming to the Pixel 9a, and probably more phones soon, is video and screen sharing. This feature allows Gemini to see and discuss things it sees on the screen. It can, for example, interpret program code or say which colours match. The feature has previously been demonstrated under the name Project Astra, and you can see it in action in this video.

Related articles

Just like the rest of the Pixel 9 family, Google promises seven years of system and security updates for the Pixel 9a. The phone will be available in stores at the beginning of April in the colours black, white, pink, and purple, and will be available for pre-order soon.

google pixel 9a google news android

Latest reviews

Top How-tos

100 latest articles