Pixel 9a Gets Early Teardown: Vapor Chamber, Cameras, More [Video]

Ahead of next week’s launch, the Google Pixel 9a has already undergone a teardown.

PBKreviews shows the Obsidian model, with entry possible from the display and the rear after applying heat. This video only shows the latter, but screen replacement is possible by prying off the top, removing a screw, and disconnecting the display cable. No other components need to be removed.

We see the plastic back plate and motherboard cover (16 screws). There’s graphite film over the NFC and wireless charging coils, as well as a sizable LED flash.

There’s a single screw holding a cover over the battery connector. The 5,100 mAh battery has pull tabs, but the effectiveness is unchanged from before. Underneath that is the copper vapor chamber, which was previously only on the Pixel 9 Pro and above.

On the motherboard is the wide, ultrawide, and front-facing cameras. Like past Pixel A-Series phones, there are just two microphones compared to three on the main line. The USB-C port and SIM reader are soldered to the main board, which is unfortunate for repairability.

Finally with this Pixel 9a teardown: “…if you accidentally insert the SIM ejector tool in the wrong hole you don’t need to worry since both the microphones and the filters are seated above the holes and they wouldn’t get damaged.”