Google Pixel 9a review: The obvious choice

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Of the so-called ‘big three’ phone manufacturers (the most popular brands in the UK and US), Google was the last to launch a mid-range handset in 2025. 

But after mixed reviews of the Galaxy A56 and iPhone 16e, the Pixel 9a might be the best of the lot. While its controversial new design is getting a lot of attention, it shouldn’t take away from everything this £500/$500 phone has to offer. 

On paper, you’re getting a premium display, flagship-level performance and a capable rear camera, not to mention the signature Pixel software experience and a full seven years of update support. 

But specs rarely tell the full story. To understand just how good the Pixel 9a is, you need to use it for an extended period of time. So that’s just what I’ve done over the last week. 

Design & Build

• New, almost-flush camera cutout 
• Plastic back 
• IP68 water and dust resistance 

The Pixel 9a’s rear design is its most defining feature. Google has made the unexpected decision to include a camera bump that looks nothing like the other Pixel 9 phones or its predecessor, the Pixel 8a. 

In fact, to call it a camera bump at all feels like an exaggeration. The Pixel 9a’s rear cameras sit almost flush with the back of the phone, barely protruding at all. That offers a benefit I often talk about in reviews: you can easily use it face up on a table without it wobbling around. 

However, there’s no question that the 9a lacks the personality of the other Pixel 9 phones, which all have large camera islands instead. Last year’s Pixel 8a was even more bold, opting for the camera bar that had become a defining feature of previous Pixel phones. 

By contrast, the Pixel 9a has a boring, nondescript camera blob on the back that’s about as generic as it gets. While past Pixels were instantly recognisable, few people would be able to identify the 9a if you removed the Google logo from the back. 

The question is, do you care? I realise that a lot of people do, but it really doesn’t matter to me. At the price point, I’m happy for design to take a back seat in favour of other key features. The Pixel 9a looks more like an iPhone than any other Android phone, but that was probably Google’s intention. 

The Pixel 9a has a boring, nondescript camera blob on the back that’s about as generic as it gets

What’s more, you’re probably going to be applying a case anyway. Google’s official ones, a blend of silicone and polycarbonate, are excellent, offering a welcome dose of extra grip and protection while adding very little bulk. 

They’re available in the same four finishes as the phone itself – Iris, Peony, Porcelain and Obsidian. So, you can cover up the cheap-feeling plastic on the back of the phone without losing the splash of colour. I particularly like the subtle light purple on the Iris model I tested. 

Elsewhere, the Pixel 9a is generally what we’ve come to expect from a Pixel phone, with a sleek aluminium frame and rounded corners making it comfortable to hold for long periods. 

The relatively compact design (by modern standards) helps, as does a weight of just 186g. If you’re coming from a phone over 200g, you’ll definitely notice the difference. 

One notable upgrade compared to the Pixel 8a is water resistance. It’s now IP68-rated, meaning it can survive submersion in more than 1m of water for up to 30 minutes, alongside the existing full dust protection. Impressive. 

Screen & Speakers

• 6.3-inch, Full HD+ P-OLED 
• 120Hz refresh rate 
• Stereo speakers 

The Pixel 9a has a display that’s right up there with some of the very best. It’s a 6.3-inch, 1080 x 2424 panel, matching the size and resolution of the more expensive Pixel 9 flagship. 

You also get the extra fluidity and responsiveness of a 120Hz refresh rate, though it’s disabled in Settings. Make sure you turn on ‘Smooth display’ to see the Pixel 9a’s display in its full glory. 

But unlike more expensive Pixel phones, the 9a has a P-OLED screen as opposed to the regular OLED. Essentially, this means it uses an underlying layer of plastic instead of glass, making it more shockproof but also more prone to scratching and reduced clarity. 

However, I have to admit that I didn’t know this before I started writing this review. When using the 9a and 9 Pro XL side by side, I genuinely couldn’t tell the difference. The Pixel 9a has an excellent display that I’d be happy to use every day. 

It also gets very bright – Google claims a peak of 2700 nits, but even the 949 nits I recorded at home is mightily impressive. It probably goes without saying, but outdoor visibility, even on a sunny spring day, is excellent. 

One small compromise is the bezel around the display, which is noticeably thicker than on Pixel flagships. It makes the front of the phone look slightly more dated, but not in a way that’s of any real concern to me. 

The Pixel 9a has an excellent display that I’d be happy to use every day

Within the display is an optical fingerprint sensor, though I didn’t find myself using it much. There were two reasons for this: it isn’t the most reliable (especially if my finger was damp), and the secure face unlock is so much more seamless.  

As a secondary unlocking method, it’s absolutely fine, although I do wish Google had upgraded it to the ultrasonic version found on other Pixel 9 phones.

In terms of audio, the Pixel 9a uses the common stereo setup of a downward-firing speaker and earpiece. The sound it produces is fine, offering decent clarity and avoiding audible distortion, but I’d have liked more bass and a fuller-bodied sound. 

As usual, it’s fine for casual listening, but I’d highly recommend connecting a pair of headphones or a speaker for anything more serious. 

Specs & Performance

• Tensor G4 
• 8GB of RAM 
• 128- or 256GB of non-expandable storage 

The Pixel 9a is powered by Google’s latest Tensor G4 chipset. That’s the same one you’ll find on all the other Pixel 9 phones, which is impressive considering its price point. 

While a small step down from Qualcomm’s top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Elite, it still offers excellent performance in almost all scenarios, despite just 8GB of RAM on both models. 

Throughout my testing time, the Pixel 9a was a consistently strong performer. It speeds across web browsing, social media, messaging apps and the camera with ease, offering no signs that it’s not a flagship device. 

The phone also handles multitasking well, including the option to use two apps in split-screen mode. Essentially, for basically all everyday tasks, the Pixel 9a won’t let you down. 

Demanding gaming proves a little more of a challenge, with some stuttering and noticeable dropped frames. But the likes of Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile are still very much playable, which is more than can be said for some mid-range phones. 

If you’re serious about gaming, I’d still recommend a flagship or dedicated gaming phone, but there’s enough here to satisfy your casual gaming fix. 8 Ball Pool is my personal favourite. 

Throughout my testing time, the Pixel 9a was a consistently strong performer

Google offers just two options when it comes to internal storage: 128- or 256GB.  The former will be fine for many people, but it’s worth being aware that around 15GB is taken up by system files, which can’t be deleted. 

With no support for Micro-SD expandable storage, I’d recommend upgrading if you’re at all unsure. 

Google Pixel 9a benchmarks

Cameras

• 48Mp main lens 
• 13Mp ultrawide 
• 13Mp selfie 

The Pixel 9a’s cameras are the most obvious compromise compared to the Pixel 9 flagships. Their telephoto lens has been removed entirely, while the ultrawide lens has been downgraded from 48Mp to 13Mp. 

It means there’s a lot of attention on the 48Mp main lens, which is only slightly smaller than the 50Mp sensor on the other handsets.  

Fortunately, it delivers completely. If the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the best point-and-shoot camera of any phone, the Pixel 9a isn’t far behind. It might look like a downgrade compared to the 64Mp main camera on the Pixel 8a, but trust me, the photos are better.

A lot of this relies on Google’s computational photography wizardry, which intelligently adjusts brightness and reduces noise after the photo is taken. You have to wait a few seconds for the final result, but it’s more than worth it. 

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed taking photos with the Pixel 9a’s main camera. I love how consistent it is – whether you’re shooting a landscape, city streets or historic architecture, this camera won’t let you down. 

If the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the best point-and-shoot camera of any phone, the Pixel 9a isn’t far behind

Photos offer excellent detail and dynamic range, handling some complex exposure challenges very well. Colours are a little more vibrant and contrasty than real life, but I personally like this – images really pop. 

Impressively, the main camera is just as good in low-light conditions. It manages to add loads of brightness and detail to an image without making it look artificial. 

In unreliable conditions such as a dimly lit alleyway and a pool hall, the Pixel 9a does a great job. But it was in near-total darkness that the long-exposure Night Sight mode blew me away. Pixel phones are still unmatched when it comes to low-light photography. 

Without a dedicated telephoto lens, you’ll be relying on the main lens for portrait photography. It generally performs well, offering a subtle yet attractive bokeh effect. 

However, I’d like to be able to adjust the level of background blur, while edge detection can be an issue at times. 

Of course, the biggest consequence of the missing telephoto is subpar zoom capabilities. The Pixel 9a has no optical zoom, while the digital equivalent here is a pale imitation. Shots at 2x look fine, but anything beyond that quickly looks washed out and grainy. And while the Pixel 9 Pro XL tops out at 30x, you’re limited to just 8x here. 

On paper, I was really worried about how the 13Mp ultrawide would fare. All too often, these lower megapixel secondary lenses are disappointing. 

However, that’s not the case on the Pixel 9a. It is a noticeable downgrade compared to the main lens, and not quite as good as the 48Mp version on more expensive Pixel 9 phones, but it’s still very serviceable. Detail and exposure are still generally good, and I enjoyed the flexibility of the 120-degree field of view.  

Last, but very much not least, is the 13Mp front-facing camera. Even as someone who’s not a big selfie taker, it’s hard for me not to be impressed with the Pixel 9a. 

Photos are clear and crisp, handling skin tones well without overexposing backgrounds. And being able to toggle between 1x and 1.4x zoom means it also works well for group selfies. 

See a selection of camera samples in the gallery below:

Video capabilities are nothing remarkable, with the Pixel 9a topping out at 4K 30fps. The default 1080p 30fps looks fine, albeit a noticeable step down in quality compared to stills. You do at least get OIS (optical image stabilisation) on both the main rear and selfie cameras, meaning that footage remains smooth while you’re moving around. 

Battery Life & Charging

• 5100mAh battery 
• 23W wired charging 
• 7.5W wireless charging 

The Pixel 9a’s new battery capacity is arguably its most significant upgrade. Instead of the Pixel 8a’s 4492mAh cell, you now get a 5100mAh. Improbably, it’s now the largest battery of any Pixel phone ever, even beating the 9 Pro XL (5060mAh). 

But does it actually improve the previously mediocre battery life? The answer is a definite yes, though not by as much as I was hoping.  

Battery life is decent, but I wouldn’t say it’s a strength or weakness of the phone. It’s just fine

The Pixel 9a will comfortably last a full day, and potentially stretch to two with light usage, as was the case while I was working from home. But given how fast it dropped while out and about for a few hours, I’d be worried about it lasting a full 12+ hours away from the charger. 

Overall, battery life is decent, but I wouldn’t say it’s a strength or weakness of the phone. It’s just fine. 

Sadly, there’s no doubt as to the charging speeds, which remain capped at an underwhelming 23W. Like most phones these days, Google doesn’t include a charger in the box, so you’ll have to find your own or buy one separately. 

I’m not sure the 65W one I had lying around was the most efficient, but it took longer than I was hoping for. It only reached 40% after 30 minutes and 80% by the hour mark, with a full charge taking just under 100 minutes. 

Qi wireless charging is a convenient alternative, but at just 7.5W, you’ll need to be even more patient or charge overnight. Slow charging remains one of Pixel phones’ most frustrating issues.

Software & Features

• Android 15 
• Plenty of AI features 
• Seven years of updates 

Aside from cameras, software is the other big reason to buy a Pixel phone.  

And that’s definitely true on the Pixel 9a, which arguably has the most compelling software on any mid-range phone. Recently, I argued that Samsung’s One UI 7 was actually better than Android 15 on the Pixel, but after using the 9a for a week, I’m having second thoughts. 

Yes, it’s frustrating that you need to tap twice to toggle Wi-Fi and mobile data. Yes, the home screen could be more customisable. And yes, the Settings app could be easier to navigate. 

But all of those things are easy to get used to. And the Pixel offers some key features that you won’t find elsewhere. They include Now Playing for music identification (including while offline) and Call Screen to weed out scam callers. Small touches, but they make a big difference over time. 

There’s also no bloatware whatsoever, giving the device a clean and uncluttered feel. I find the Pixel software easier to use than any other version of Android, making it ideal if you’re switching from an iPhone.  

If you mainly use Google apps, you’ll feel right at home on the Pixel 9a. But even if you don’t, there are loads of great third-party alternatives on the Play Store. 

I find the Pixel software easier to use than any other version of Android, making it ideal if you’re switching from an iPhone

However, the phone has a slightly pared-back set of AI features compared to the Pixel 9 flagships. The Pixel Screenshots app doesn’t make it, while the Google Gemini assistant doesn’t support images, video or audio uploads – just text. 

But pretty much everything else is there, including Circle to Search, the Pixel Weather app and Google’s suite of AI photo features, including Best Take and Add Me. I find the latter to be more fun than useful, but you might feel differently. 

The Pixel 9a is also undefeated when it comes to software updates. Not only is Google offering a full seven years of OS and security updates, but you’ll also get the next major version of Android as soon as it’s publicly available. 

That’s its big advantage compared to the Galaxy A56, with Samsung’s equivalent version of One UI often taking several months to roll out. 

Price & Availability

At launch, the Pixel 9a starts at £499/$499. That’ll get you the 128GB model I tested, while stepping up to 256GB costs £599/$599. 

It’s available outright from Google UK and Google US, but also via many third-party retailers. See our guide to the best Pixel 9a deals for the full UK selection, while the top contract offers in the UK and US are below.

That outright price puts the Pixel 9a in direct competition with some of the very best mid-range phones. The Galaxy A56 (£499/$499) is its main Android rival, but many people will be pitting it against the iPhone 16e (from £599/$599). 

Should you buy the Google Pixel 9a?

The Pixel 9a isn’t a particularly exciting phone, but it’s also one of the easiest to recommend. If you have £500/$500 to spend and want a solid all-round handset that will last, this is the device for you. 

While the phone has some key flaws – most notably slow charging, no telephoto camera and a bland design – the benefits elsewhere more than make up for it. 

The Pixel 9a delivers a great display, strong performance, an excellent main camera and a killer software experience, all for half the cost of many flagships. For many people, that makes it a no-brainer. 

Specs

• Android 15 with seven years of updates  
• 6.3-inch FHD+ 120Hz P-OLED  
• Optical in-display fingerprint scanner  
• Face Unlock  
• Google Tensor G4 chipset  
• 8GB RAM  
• 128GB/256GB non-expandable UFS 3.1 storage  
• 5100mAh battery  
• 23W wired charging  
• 7.5W wireless charging 
• 48Mp f/1.7 main camera  
• 13Mp f/2.2 ultrawide camera  
• 13Mp f/2.2 front camera  
• Stereo speakers  
• USB-C 3.2  
• 5G  
• NanoSIM +eSIM  
• Wi-Fi 6E 
• Bluetooth 5.3  
• IP68  
• Corning Gorilla Glass 3  
• 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm 
• 186g