Pixel 9a Vs. Pixel 9: Better Separated, But Still Siblings [Video]

The brand-new Pixel 9a has a lot of things that make the Pixel 9 a great entry-level Android phone, but how much of the formula has been retained or omitted? Here’s everything you need to know.

• Pixel 9 vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Smaller, smarter, similar [Video]

From the size and shape to the cameras and the features, the newest handset has important and notable changes that fit in with last year’s best Pixel phones. Even with that sentiment, Google’s smartphones have almost always been more than just a sum of their parts; the Pixel 9a is no different. If you have even a passing interest, is the extra cost justified, or is the new device of better value? Here’s what you need to know.

Last year, the Pixel 8a and Pixel 8 were almost too close in price and overall performance parity. Some changes make this less of a pronounced problem for the 9a. Namely, there is a great price separation, but some other changes help create a true line in the sand division, which makes more sense from a buyer’s perspective but ensures there is a strand tied to the main lineup.

Hardware and design

Google clearly took the memo we posted last year, and although it’s sad to see the core formula adjusted, the Pixel 9a is different enough from the regular Pixel 9 to be a great alternative. It’s still very much part of the family, but with changes that make sense for a cheaper, more accessible form factor.

Physically, the shape is practically identical, but there are a couple of minor size changes that make all the difference. The 9a is almost 2mm taller, a hair over 1mm wider and almost 0.5mm thicker. So, no cases will be usable, but the shape is different at the back because the camera is flush with the backplate. It’s a sleek look that simultaneously straddles the old and new design with the circular camera lens section. Despite the size increase, the 9a is 12g lighter at 186g. The Pixel 9 uses more glass and metal and comes in at 198g.

The added size bumps the Pixel 9a to a 6.3-inch display from the 6.1-inch screen on the Pixel 8a, which matches the Pixel 9. The difference is the large bezels on the cheaper phone and basic Gorilla Glass 3 scratch protection. That doesn’t diminish either screen, though. The maximum brightness is very high, at 1,800 nits with HDR content and a theoretical 2,700 nit maximum in the brightest environments.

While the displays are very comparable in quality and consistency, the Pixel 9a has an inferior optical fingerprint scanner versus an ultrasonic in-display reader on the Pixel 9. This gives biometric unlocks the edge on the base model, and although there is Face Unlock on both, we’d recommend using it more on the 9a.

If you value colors, these two phones have a great selection. The Pixel 9a’s matte finish is more striking than the glossy Pixel 9’s. The matte finish is not limited to the side rails but all over the frame, save the camera cutout. Both have IP68 ratings, which means you’re safe in practically all scenarios.

Software and performance

While the core is fairly similar because the 9a has the Tensor G4 chip, it’s altered with a different Exynos 5300 modem, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, and 8GB of RAM.

The Pixel 9a misses out on a few of the Gemini-powered functions present on the Pixel 9. Because it has less onboard RAM, it also uses a modified Gemini Nano XXS model instead of the XS model found on the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. You lose access to multimodal features and instead get text-only processing. That won’t affect some of the Gemini Live features but might be something to consider.

Pixel Screenshots isn’t available, which is a little disappointing, but you can use some third-party alternatives such as Pixelshot to offer similar screenshot and image organization. You do get the Pixel Weather app, which is available on Pixel 6 and newer too. Pixel Studio is also available, which just lets you create stickers and images based on text prompts. Reimagine is one of the only other AI features to make the jump as part of the Magic Editor suite.

You don’t get Call Summary functions on the Pixel 9a; if you care about specific AI functions, the Pixel 9 has a far bigger feature set available.

Luckily, the update schedule is the same, and although it launched without some functions included, the 9a will get 7 years of OS versions to match the Pixel 9. The first major update will be Android 16 in the coming weeks after launch.

Battery and charging

One major strength of the Pixel 9a is its huge battery, which is 5,100mAh. That is 50mAh bigger than the Pixel 9 Pro XL and a whopping 400mAh, or 9%, more than the 4,700mAh battery inside the regular Pixel 9. It also has the exact same Tensor G4 chip, which isn’t the most efficient but should last a long time with the extra battery capacity.

At least in theory, the Pixel 9a should have an extensive battery lifespan even when compared to the regular Pixel 9. The older handset has an edge in charging speeds. The 9a has increased charging to 23W, while the 9 has 27W wired charging. It also has faster 21W wireless charging versus the 7.5W on the Pixel 9a.

Camera

If you want the best camera system, then the Pixel 9 is the objective choice here. While the 9a has a solid 48MP main sensor paired with a 13MP ultrawide, the experience is a notable step down over the base Pixel 9 due to the physics of the bigger, higher resolution 50MP main sensor and 48MP ultrawide.

That aside, images are very similar across the board and provide that textbook contrasty look – albeit tuned down compared to years prior. You would expect photo quality to drop off drastically from the 9a to the 9. However, the main sensors aren’t all that far apart in terms of quality and consistency. There is a noticeable downgrade in the ultrawide lens, which is flagship-level on the Pixel 9 but not quite so impressive on the 9a.

Macro focus is included on the Pixel 9a. This is a fixed option, though, with no way to enable or disable at the time of launch. Add Me is here too, which lets you splice together photos to effectively create group shots without everyone being in the same frame at the same time. Best Take is here, too, but you miss out on some video options like 10-bit HDR recording and Cinematic Blur. Audio zoom is also missing, and the Audio Magic Eraser might not produce results comparable to those of the main Pixel 9 series.

Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 9: Which is the better buy?

About upgrading: 9to5Google often gives specific product recommendations. Sometimes, we may suggest not upgrading, due to various reasons including, but not limited to: increased device cost, negligible performance gains, or environmental impact. Whether to upgrade is always your call, but our aim is to help you make as informed a decision as possible.

For the first time in a few years, there is a more distinct line in the sand between the “regular” Pixel phone and the A-series. The Pixel 9a is a different product built with similarities that have been inspired or lifted directly from the Pixel 9. There is also great price separation, which helps ensure that separation is pronounced.

The Pixel 9 at a discount is a better buy, but even at the retail price, the Pixel 9a is a great smartphone for anyone who wants to get into the Pixel lineup. You get some important upgrades plus some notable changes to the design formula that ensure it doesn’t feel like a cheaper imitation of the base model like previous generations have felt in years gone by.

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