Google launched the Pixel 9a a lot earlier than its usual timeline in 2025 but even then the company was forced to delay its availability because of some issues. The Pixel 9a usually does not gather a lot of interest in the Indian market but the iPhone 16E launch has clearly made it an intriguing addition to the Rs 50,000 bracket in the country. 

Pixel 9a is Google’s so-called affordable Pixel phone and this year’s model gets AI, the new Tensor G chip, some tweaks in design and a compact form factor. So, does all of this pack itself into a competent device or you should consider other options? We used the Pixel 9a to find these answers. 

The Compact, New-Look Pixel

Pixel 9a has the looks of a mid-range device even though it carries a premium price tag (at least in India). You have a compact 6.3-inch form factor that features a plastic body but with aluminium frame to give it a premium in-hand feel.

The Pixel 9a has the same size as the Pixel 9 but is lighter than both Pixel 8a and the premium 9 version at 186 grams which you realise the moment you hold the phone in your hand. 

The IP68 rating is a definite upgrade on Pixel 8a IP67 protection and matches up to the premium models. The camera bar has given way to a flatter module that completely removes the protruding nature at the back which will get mixed reactions. The flattish nature of the Pixel 9a is also part of the new design language adopted by Google for the Pixel 9 series last year. Keep the Pixel 9a in front of the Pixel 8a and you will easily see the differences. 

The Bright OLED-Y Display 

Pixel 9a goes with a 6.3-inch P-OLED display that claims to be brighter than its predecessor and in real usage, you can clearly see the change. The old habit of big bezels have been taken forward to the Pixel 9a which is not ideal but Google clearly feels this is one way to tell you the value of buying a non-premium Pixel phone. 

Having said that, the screen to body ratio has gone up but not by much which can be an eyesore for some in this age of thin bezels on the screen. The display is bright, the colours are punchy to an extent but we would have liked to see a different panel this year (guess maybe in 2026 now).

The display gets Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection once again which is basic but we’d expect something more durable for the price. There are complaints about the Pixel 9a display but things are getting better so we’d cut some slack here. 

The Tensor Effect 

The Tensor G4 is the chipset powering all the Pixel 9 series models, which now includes the Pixel 9a as well. You get the device with 8GB RAM which is lower than the 12GB RAM on the Pixel 9 but same as the Pixel 8a. Having less memory this year means Google had to drop some AI features on the 9a (more on that later). 

The performance is very Tensor-y on the Pixel 9a where the regular tasks are easy to manage, and even some casual gaming is doable. However, this is not a flagship hardware and the benchmark scores compared with others in the Rs 50,000 range clearly tells you. You get 256GB as the base storage this year which is a welcome change and would have liked a 512GB option like the iPhone 16E in the market. There are signs of the device heating up around the camera module which is concerning, especially during the peak Delhi Summers. 

Google makes tall claims about offering 7 OS upgrades for these Pixel phones but will the Tensor withstand the daily grind for that long and let you sustain the same level of performance over such a period, we’re definitely doubting those prospects and happy to be proven wrong. 

The AI features like Pixel Screenshots and Call AI mode are not available on the Pixel 9a because of 8GB RAM and its inability to process data on-device. The rest of the Pixel UI is the same that we have become familiar with which offers a clean and fluid experience albeit with minimal customisation features. 

The Main Camera Focus 

Going by numbers, the Pixel 9a gets a 48MP primary sensor along with a 13MP ultrawide lens which many would say is a downgrade from the 64MP sensor on the Pixel 8a. But higher megapixels don’t always mean better quality and that is the case with the Pixel 9a shooter as well.

The daylight photos from the Pixel 9a are crisp with natural tones and the right level of details. Even the low light images come out well but not as good as the Pixel 9 or some of the other phones in this category. The ultrawide lens delivers images similar to the Pixel 8a which is hardly surprising. 

The Battery Bump 

Pixel 9a gets the biggest 5,100mAh battery among all the Pixel models from Google. Having this unit does not give any extra bulge than the Pixel 8a but you get a longer running life for the device in daily usage. The PCMark score of 19 hours is a good indication of how the battery manages its load and delivers tasks without any major draining issues.

Can you get the Pixel 9a to last the whole day, in most cases, yes, and for some it might go a bit further depending on how frugally you use the phone. However, even with 23W charging support, the Pixel 9a takes more than an hour to full charge which is no longer acceptable.

Pixel 9a builds on its predecessor with some notable upgrades and a new camera module sans the bar. You get the same hardware as the Pixel 9 models but limited to 8GB RAM which means you miss out some AI features. The cameras are good, the battery life has gone up thanks to a bigger unit but the weight has been trimmed down.