Google’s subsequent Pixel telephone, the Pixel 9a, has lastly been introduced. And for the primary time in a Pixel since 2020’s Pixel 5, it ditches the digicam bar. It’s additionally, as anticipated, a bit of cheaper and comes with a number of further AI methods not obtainable on the Pixel 8a, however actually, it’s the brand new look that’s the most important shock right here.
That’s as a result of the 9a, not like the 8a earlier than it, actually doesn’t look very similar to the Pixel 9 or 9 Professional. Dimensions are roughly equal to the usual Pixel 9 (though it is a bit more light-weight at 6.6 oz vs. 7 oz) and the display screen has virtually pound-for-pound the identical specs apart from a halved distinction ratio, however folks conversant in the previous half-decade of Pixel telephones may not understand it’s even a part of the identical household at first.
Pixel 8a (left) vs. Pixel 9a (proper)
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
With out the digicam bar, the Pixel 9a as an alternative appears to be like far more like an iPhone than arguably even a Samsung Galaxy, with two rear lenses within the top-left nook inside a small ovular black bump subsequent to a flash. This makes for a a lot thinner and flatter profile general, even when the physique itself hasn’t modified a lot, and I’m excited to each get my palms on it and see how the circumstances end up. I’ve by no means beloved the digicam bar, however this has me contemplating the Pixel once more.
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
As for the specs on these cameras, they’re a part of a pattern of inside specs that don’t actually examine properly to both the Pixel 9 or the Pixel 8a. The rear digicam lenses are 48MP and 13MP, respectively, whereas the entrance is 13MP, though the assorted aperture particulars and field-of-view settings don’t cleanly map onto an present Google telephone. I’m additionally curious to see how photographs end up as soon as I get my palms on this telephone.
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
Equally, one other element that doesn’t have an outright comparability with an present Google telephone is battery life, which Google guarantees is 30+ hours on the Pixel 9a, a bit of longer than on both the 8a or the Pixel 9. RAM and storage is the same as the 8a at 8GB and a beginning worth of 128GB, respectively, though the processor has been bumped as much as the Google Tensor G4, the identical as on the Pixel 9.
All of that provides as much as make for a novel launch with what may have merely been a pared-down Pixel 9, maybe supplying you with further causes to get it over its costlier cousin than merely saving a number of {dollars}. That stated, even with the decrease value, which is $500 vs. the Pixel 9’s $800, Google is promising some additional software program right here than on the Pixel 8a. These embrace a Macro Focus mode and distinctive Pixel AI options like Add Me (which might put you into photographs you weren’t current for, albeit with combined outcomes).
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
Whilst you’ll get the same old choices for black, white, and pink, there’s additionally a brand new purple colour, which hearkens again to the Pixel 8’s gentle blue colour that I missed a lot on the bottom Pixel 9.
All in all, it’s shaping as much as be a surprisingly thrilling launch for an A-series mannequin, and I’m hoping it’s a touch at greater issues in retailer for the Pixel 10 when it inevitably comes out later this fall. An official launch date continues to be TBA, so control this house for extra down the road.
