Pixel 9a release date expectations, price estimates, and upgrades
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Google Pixel 9a: when will this phone materialize? What's the price going to be like… and is it going to be a bang for your buck? Most importantly: will it be so good that it puts its bigger (the non-"a" models) counterparts to shame?
These are all legitimate questions.
So far, nothing is off the table…
The Pixel 9a is the mighty potent Pixel 8a's successor, unless the 8a goes down in history as the last phone in the Google Pixel "a" series. At the moment, there are too many rumors and leaks to suggest that'll be the case, so it's safe to say that the Pixel 9a is materializing.
The budget-friendly variants of the Pixel flagships kicked off with the immortal classic Pixel 3a back in 2019 and have left millions of users across the globe satisfied.
But, back to the potential Pixel 9a.
The information about it is gradually piling up, so let's check it out!
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Pixel 9a release date
A report suggests that the Pixel 9a will be available for pre-order in mid-March 2025, with a full release by the end of the month. This marks a shift from the typical Pixel a-series launch, which has traditionally taken place around mid-May. Well, the Pixel 8a also materialized a bit earlier than expected. It kicked off surprisingly on May 7, 2024, instead of the May 14 date that everybody was waiting for (that's when Google's 2024 I/O conference was held).
The earlier release of the Pixel 9a is likely influenced by the upcoming launch of the Pixel 10 in August 2025, allowing Google to create more space between its major product rollouts. Additionally, Google may be aiming to gain an early advantage in the market by avoiding competition with other flagship phones that usually launch in the fall.
Google has been gradually accelerating its Android timeline, as seen with the Pixel 9 series, which debuted in mid-August 2024, two months ahead of the usual October schedule. Android 16 is also expected to roll out earlier than expected in Q2 2025.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 9a | Mid-March of 2025* | March of 2025* |
| Google Pixel 8a | May 7, 2024 | May 14, 2024 |
| Google Pixel 7a | May 10, 2023 | May 10, 2023 |
Pixel 9a price
The Pixel 9a should not see any further price hikes. Of course, that's just me talking and Google has the last word on the matter.
Google's "a" series started at $399 for the Pixel 3a back in 2019 and since then, the price is going in one direction: up (with the notable exception of the Pixel 4a, which was sold for $349)!
We're talking about 128GB base models here and if the Pixel 9a starts straight from 256GB, I'm afraid we're going to see baseline prices north of $500 for the first time.
This isn't going to be too smart, because you can't really claim you're making "budget-friendly" handsets if they're priced at over half a grand, can you?
However, we're expecting various trade-ins and promotional offers from major carriers to allure users and get them to click that "Buy now" button once the Pixel 9a becomes available. If that happens in the first place. But we should keep our spirits high.
| Pixel model | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Pixel 9a | $499* |
| Pixel 8a | $499 |
| Pixel 7a | $499 |
| Pixel 6a | $449 |
* - anticipated prices
Pixel 9a camera
Ah, Pixel phones and their cameras! Much has been said on the matter, and the truth is that many people – including me – have bought a Pixel "a" series handset precisely because of its potent camera. For the price, you're getting a solid snapper that is not outstanding in terms of hardware, but shines on the software front: computational photography for the win!
If we're to take a look back at the Pixel 8a, we can predict that the Pixel 9a will probably feature two cameras on its back and one selfie snapper. They could be these:
- The 64MP Wide camera: The Pixel 9a could inherint it from the Pixel 8a, which got it from its predecessor, the Pixel 7a. The main camera boasts a 1/1.73" 64MP sensor with a 0.8 μm pixel size, housed under a lens with an f/1.89 aperture and an 80-degree field of view. Utilizing Quad-Bayer technology, it combines four pixels into one, enhancing low-light sensitivity.
- The 13MP Ultrawide camera: The ultrawide camera from the Pixel 8a and the 7a could also be the one used in the Pixel 9a. It features a 13MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and a 120-degree field of view.
- The 13MP Front camera: The front camera on the 9a could be the one from the Pixel 8a: a 13MP sensor, equipped with a fixed-focus f/2.2 lens and a 96.5-degree ultrawide field of view.
Despite these hardware similarities, the Pixel 8a's camera – and the Pixel 9a, potentially – is enhanced by the recently introduced Gemini AI, enabling a suite of impressive features:
- Best Take: Automatically captures multiple shots and suggests the best one.
- Magic Editor: A powerful editing tool that allows you to reposition or remove objects in your photos.
- Audio Magic Eraser: Intelligent noise reduction that can remove wind, crowd, and other distracting sounds from your videos.
- Magic Eraser: Easily remove unwanted objects or distractions from your photos.
- Night Sight: Google's groundbreaking low-light photography feature, enabling crisp and bright photos even in dim conditions.
- Photo Unblur: Improves the clarity and sharpness of photos that may have turned out blurry.
- Super Res Zoom: Delivers high-quality zoomed-in images using advanced algorithms, eliminating the need for optical zoom lenses.
Pixel 9a storage
On the RAM and storage fronts, things could change a bit. The Pixel 8a arrives with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and two storage variants. The base model sports 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and there's another option with 256GB using the same technology (sadly no UFS 4.0).
It's exactly UFS 4.0 that we're hoping for on the Pixel 9a, but only time (and Google) will tell. As far as the storage options, I won't be surprised if we're to get the Pixel 9a with a 512GB variant this time around. If that happens to be the case, you can kiss the 128GB starting model goodbye.
Pixel 8a storage capacity:
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
Pixel 9a storage capacity:
- 127 GB
- 256 GB
- 512 GB (no evidence, but it won't be a surprise)
Pixel 9a design
So, we have a pretty good of what the Pixel 9a might look like thanks to the reliable X tipster OnLeaks and AndroidHeadlines.
The leaked renders of the Pixel 9a suggest it will follow the Pixel 8a as a top contender in the budget-friendly phone market, but the 9a will go on a different path. According to images of a pre-production model, the upcoming device will abandon the signature camera bar found on its predecessor.
Image credit – OnLeaks, AndroidHeadlines
In the renders circulating online, the Pixel 9a blends design elements from the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The prominent camera bar across the back of the Pixel 8a is gone, replaced by a camera island shaped like a Google search bar that sits flush with the back of the phone. The LED flash is now positioned outside of this new camera module.
Most other design features remain similar, including the rounded edges and the display's camera cutout.
There was another design leak earlier. At the end of August, 2024, the @VNchocoTaco X account posted the following, claiming to be the Pixel 9a:
Pixel 9a
— ShrimpApplePro ずっと真夜中でいいのに (@VNchocoTaco) August 26, 2024
Source: some random post on Facebook pic.twitter.com/y8jwaQM6Z8
The logo on the back looks familiar to many hardcore Google fans, so there you have it.
If this is indeed the Pixel 9a, the differences compared to the Pixel 8a are quite noticeable. The new smartphone appears significantly larger at first glance, though this could be due to perspective. It features relatively thin and nearly symmetrical bezels around a large screen, a flat and somewhat thick frame, and most notably, a new design for the camera system.
The Pixel 8a's distinctive rear camera visor might be replaced by a more subtle, smaller, and thinner dual-camera module, with an LED flash positioned separately to the side. This change could potentially make the Pixel 9a slimmer overall or allow for a larger battery without significantly increasing the device's thickness.
The upcoming mid-range Pixel phone running stock Android is rumored to have dimensions of 154mm in height, 73mm in width, and 8.5mm in depth. While these measurements differ slightly from the Pixel 8a, they don't represent a significant departure in design.
The Pixel 9a is expected to be a bit taller and narrower compared to its predecessor, with a slimmed-down profile that's 0.4mm thinner.
As far as colors go, the Google Pixel 9a is set to launch with four color options, including the standard Porcelain and Obsidian. However, this year, the Aloe and Bay shades are being replaced by two new colors: Peony, which closely resembles the color option on the Pixel 9, and Iris, a soft bluish-purple tone.
So, the color quartet for the Pixel 9a looks like this:
- Porcelain
- Obsidian
- Peony
- Iris
Pixel 9a display
Here's where it starts to get interesting. The Pixel 6a, 7a and 8a all come with a 6.1-inch display that offers a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, a 20:9 ratio, and 431 PPI.
However, their refresh rates are not on the same page. The oldest of the three: the Pixel 6a delivers a refresh rate of 60Hz, then the 7a tops that with its 90Hz, while the current Pixel 8a shines with a 120Hz refresh rate. Pretty impressive.
The panel on the 8a also supports HDR and has an always-on option. Google has bumped up the brightness and now cites 1,400 nits of HDR brightness and up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness. According to Google, this is 40% brighter than the Pixel 7a.
Having said all that, we should expect the Pixel 9a to continue this tradition and to come with an even more impressive panel to gaze at.
Pixel 9a battery
This is another field that we should see increased numbers: the battery! The Pixel 8a packs a slightly larger battery (than the 7a): a 4,492 mAh cell. Google claims that this provides over 24 hours of battery life and up to 72 hours with Extended Battery Saver mode.
However, a couple of hundred additional mAh figures won't do harm at all.
For charging, the Pixel 9a will probably support up to 18W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging, consistent what the Pixel 8a and 7a. Which is a shame, given that Chinese brands offer charging speeds north of 50W, even 100W.
Pixel 9a features and software
The Pixel 9a will ship with Android 15 out of the box, if it ever materializes. It will most likely share many of the stellar AI features that will debut on the flagship Pixel 9 line.
With the Pixel 8 series, Google introduced its own AI called Gemini (formerly Bard) and later the Big G company offered this AI magic on an "a" series device for the first time with the Pixel 8a.
Gemini can perform tasks like summarizing your recent emails or swiftly organizing your inbox, translate and transcribe stuff for you, use contextual Circle to Search, and many more. The Pixel 8a also features AI-powered Pixel Call Assist features, including Call Screen, Direct My Call, Hold for Me, Clear Calling, and more, ensuring seamless communication experiences.
A set of minimum Pixel 8a software features that are expected on the Pixel 9a:
Gemini can perform tasks like summarizing your recent emails or swiftly organizing your inbox, translate and transcribe stuff for you, use contextual Circle to Search, and many more. The Pixel 8a also features AI-powered Pixel Call Assist features, including Call Screen, Direct My Call, Hold for Me, Clear Calling, and more, ensuring seamless communication experiences.
A set of minimum Pixel 8a software features that are expected on the Pixel 9a:
- Face Unlock
- Direct my call
- Alt text
- Call Screen
- Hold for Me
- Clear Calling
- Wait times
- Live Translate
- Recorder Speaker Labels
- Assistant Voice Typing
- Voice Messaging Transcription
- At a Glance
- Gemini
Pixel 9a hardware and specs
The Pixel 9a will probably pack the fourth generation Tensor processor (Tensor G4). The first iterations of the chip were lagging behind the competition in terms of raw power, but with the Tensor G3,Google seems to have closed the gap a little.
If the Tensor G4 delivers enough power and the price of the Pixel 9a is half that of the Pixel 9 Pro, well, Google's flagship is going to get hurt (badly) once again.
However, the bad news is that the Pixel 9a might keep one of the worst problems of previous models.
While the Pixel 9a is expected to benefit from the upgraded Tensor G4 processor, similar to the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, but a recent report suggests it will retain the Exynos Modem 5300 from the Pixel 8 series.
On the plus side, this could help keep the price stable. However, it also means users may continue to face the same connectivity issues that have been reported with previous Pixel models. Google addressed these problems with the Pixel 9 flagship devices by upgrading to the Exynos Modem 5400, which even introduced a Satellite SOS feature for emergency communication in areas without service.
On the plus side, this could help keep the price stable. However, it also means users may continue to face the same connectivity issues that have been reported with previous Pixel models. Google addressed these problems with the Pixel 9 flagship devices by upgrading to the Exynos Modem 5400, which even introduced a Satellite SOS feature for emergency communication in areas without service.
Should you wait for the Pixel 9a?
- You should wait for the Pixel 9a if you're planning on upgrading your phone at a point in the first three months of 2025. This banger could be the one for you, if you're an Android fan, if you love getting the maximum for your money, and if you're love taking photos with your mobile.
- You should not wait for the Pixel 9a if you've just bought a new phone that's in the mid-range (or above) category. The Pixel 9a could start at $500 (or more) and there's no point of spending that much cash on a phone that's still a mid-ranger at the end of the day. Also, if you dream of having a telephoto camera on your phone, you can pretty much forget about the Pixel 9a, as it won't offer such a snapper. For the telephoto fiesta, you need to buy the Pixel 9 Pro ticket...
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