Should You Buy A New Phone Now, Or Wait For The Pixel 9a? [Video]

Thanks to lots of information being drip-fed over the past few months, we have a fairly good summation of what to expect from the Google Pixel 9a, but here’s why you should wait for it to arrive before picking up a new phone.

• These are currently the best Google Pixel deals on Amazon

Pixel 9a expectations

Google has yet to tell the world when the Pixel 9a will be unveiled. There is unlikely to be a huge fanfare around this launch, especially as per rumors; it’s going to fall before I/O in late May 2025, which has provided the usual launchpad for previous generations.

Using the Pixel 9 and previous A-series launches as a yardstick; we’re waiting and expecting some of the AI functions that are currently exclusive to the 9 series to make the jump down to this more affordable handset. No leaks have been able to confirm any of our suspicions, but we’re hopeful that some functions like Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Weather, and Reimagine will come to the midranger.

Another notable is the switch to the new boxy design. However, there is going to be a spin on the camera bar. Hands-on videos have showcased a return to a flat backplate. That means the camera cutout is effectively flush with the rear panel. There is a glossy ring around the camera cutout, so the Pixel 9a will retain some of the 9 series design language but without the key camera hallmark. It also looks like the 9a will have glossy side rails and a matte backplate and is expected to weigh just over 2g less than the Pixel 8a.

We’d expect it to utilize plastic or polycarbonate like on previous generations, but it simultaneously feels out of place but part of the lineup at the same time. It could help separate the affordable entry from the premium phones, but it does look cheap – or cheaper than we expected despite the fact it’ll target the same price point as the previous generation.

What about the core specs? These are a by-the-numbers affair once again. That said it’s going to be a solid spec sheet for a Pixel phone. The device will come with a Tensor G4 processor, 8GB RAM, 128 or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, plus a bigger 5,100mAh battery. All other Pixel 9 models come with 12GB of RAM to account for some of the AI functions, so it’ll be interesting to see what is omitted here – if anything.

An interesting change to the device is that its dimensions are increasing to 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm, and the display is now set to measure in at 6.3 inches this year. That’s a big increase despite some fairly minor chassis changes over the 8a, all while the display bezels remain much larger than on the Pixel 9. The display will still be best-in-class with a 120Hz refresh rate OLED, 1080p resolution, and a supposed 2,700 nit max brightness level with HDR content. One of the biggest downsides is the proposed re-use of Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection.

One downgrade is potentially the lack of an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner. According to early leaks, an optical scanner from Goodx will be used. This would make sense if costs need to be cut. Charging will jump up to 23W via USB-C—still slow—but remain at 7.5W with a Qi charger or Pixel Stand. This does mean that you’ll need to wait longer for the Pixel 9a to charge than many other phones on the market when it arrives. What’s more, the IP rating is supposedly getting a bump from IP67 to IP68, which means you’re safer in more environments with the Pixel 9a.

While the camera bar is getting cut, the Pixel 9a camera system could provide some more upgrades. This is arguably one of the major reasons you might want to wait for the Pixel 9a to launch before deciding which handset to pick.

Google is set to upgrade the main sensor, which is supposedly the new 48MP GN8 sensor from Samsung. That replaces the Sony IMX787 from the 7a and 8a. It’ll be paired with yet another 13MP ultrawide. The details on the ultrawide are scarce at this stage, but we’re expecting it to be the same sensor as on the 8a.

There is only one other thing to note here the Tensor G4 chip in the Pixel 9a is supposedly going to have a slightly different modem to the series. Rumors from late-2024 suggest that it will use the Exynos 5300 over the 5400, but that might not be true once we get the devices in the coming months.

What about the Pixel 8a?

If you need a cheap phone right now, and it has to be a Pixel, you have a couple of choices. Firstly, there is the Pixel 9. It’s discounted quite drastically now and might even be cheaper than the Pixel 9a when the A-series phone arrives.

However, there is another option. While it’s not clear if the Pixel 8a is hanging around, based on Google’s previous affinity for keeping the previous generation around, we’d wager it’ll be a device offered at a substantially discounted rate.

The 8a is a good phone that encroaches a little too close to the base Pixel 8. It is still going to be supported for a further 6 years, and it dips below the $300 mark quite regularly. You’ll have to wait a long time before the Pixel 9a will reach those lows.

Should you buy now or wait for the Pixel 9a?

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.

To be clear, this is more of a PSA for anyone who is mulling over a new phone and wants to get the best value possible when picking up a new, used, or refurbished handset. The smartphone industry shifts and shapes based on the current crop of hardware, and the latest and greatest will always take precedence in carriers and retail stores.

The Pixel 9a is absolutely no different. It will arrive, and instantly, we’ll see a shift as retailers and OEMs adjust their pricing strategy to account for a new player on the market. The proposed pricing sits at $499/€499 for the 128GB model and $599/€599 for the 256GB variant.

If other OEMs want to stay in the public consciousness, expect prices of similar midrange phones to adjust to compete more directly. Incentives and free gifts might also make things even more enticing before and after the Pixel 9a launch. In essence, even if you have zero interest in the Pixel 9a it’s sensible to wait until it arrives to get a better deal on the phone you want – provided it isn’t a non-Google flagship.

Older phones will get discounted; new phones will offer something different. It’s a win-win.

What are you going to do?

Are you considering waiting for the Pixel 9a or purchasing a current model? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! If you’re leaning towards a new purchase, check out the latest deals on Pixel devices. Your feedback and questions are always welcome—let’s discuss the future of Google’s smartphones together.

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