Google Pixel 9a review

Design

The Pixel 9a sticks closely to the classic Google design seen on the Pixel 8a, but adds a refined twist with the removal of the camera bar. The back is almost completely flat for a comfortable in-hand experience, with a toned-down camera setup making the phone feel clean and balanced.

This is echoed in the colourways available too, nodding to Google’s inclination towards pastel tones. The 9a comes in a range of soft, minimal colourways including Iris, Peony, Porcelain and Obsidian. Each has a matte texture, in contrast to the glass-backed design of the 9a’s mid-range counterparts, the iPhone 16e and Samsung S24 FE. This, paired with the 6.1-inch screen and updated camera panel, makes the 9a a genuinely comfortable phone to use.

It doesn’t just look pretty either; the handset features Gorilla Glass 3 on the front for added durability. Its IP68 rating means it’s built to handle accidental spills and dust, an upgrade on the Pixel 8a’s IP67 rating.

Display

The display on the Google Pixel 9a is a real highlight. It features a vibrant 6.1-inch OLED screen that’s the ideal balance between size and usability, letting you move between app screens and reply to messages comfortably. Slim bezels – although the Pixel 9a does have a slightly thicker bezel than the Pixel 9 – give the screen an extra sense of depth that feels sleek and immersive. With a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and vibrant colours on display, everything from scrolling social media to streaming your favourite shows feels fluid. It’s bright enough to handle sunny days too (when we’re lucky enough to get them), making it easy to see what’s on your screen in all types of weather.

Performance

Powered by Google’s in-house Tensor G4 chip, the Pixel 9a delivers a smooth and responsive experience that performs well above its mid-level price tag. Google haven’t skimped on the processing power, either; the G4 chip is used across the Pixel 9 series. Providing a solid platform for Google’s AI features to shine, the Tensor G4 chip also allows for a nice battery upgrade, letting your apps run smoothly, for longer.

Running on Android 15, the interface is designed to be fast and fluid, with swipes, taps, and multitasking all taking place seemingly effortlessly. There’s a generous 8GB of RAM included in this handset too, as well as up to 256GB of storage, giving you enough room to keep your go-to apps, hundreds of photos, and games close at hand without stressing about storage space.

Software and AI

AI is skilfully woven into every element of the Pixel 9a’s software. While software sticks closely to the clean Android interface that Pixel fans will be used to, subtle AI enhancements work quietly to make everything feel just a bit smarter. Working behind the scenes as well as via the photography suite and more, Gemini AI is intrinsic to the Pixel 9a’s software and more, whether you're drafting messages with text prompts or managing your shopping list with voice commands.

Improvements to Gemini Live have further set Google on its path of genuinely useful AI integrations, all designed to make your life feel that little bit easier. One key feature within these upgrades is Gemini’s ability to instantly answer questions about what it sees through the camera of your phone, in real time. For example, you can ask for personalised shopping advice, or suggestions on how to arrange your messy kitchen cupboards. More so than ever, Gemini feels like an integral part of the Pixel offering; whether you’re an AI sceptic or simply haven’t spent time with the features on offer before, the Pixel 9a’s integrations are bound to change your mind.

Battery

The Pixel 9a’s 5,100mAh battery is particularly impressive, especially when compared to the 9’s 4,700mAh - and its predecessor’s 4,492mAh battery. Google's efficient hardware and software integrations mean the 9a can last a full day on one charge, with Extreme Battery Saver there if you need it for much longer periods without a charger, too. The charging speeds are steady, with 18W wired charging getting you back up and running without too much waiting around. There’s no wireless charging, which might disappoint some, but at this price point, it’s a fair trade off. The upside? The lack of extra battery bulk helps the 9a stay light and easy to handle at just 185.5g.

Security

Security-wise, the Pixel 9a keeps things simple but effective. You get a fast and reliable under display fingerprint sensor, and Face Unlock is handy for quickly unlocking your phone or verifying payments. Seemingly new and improved, Face Unlock is stronger than ever, accurately verifying your image whether you’re sat in strong lighting or not.

The Pixel 9a doesn’t waver in terms of security updates either, offering Google’s standard – and excellent – 7 years of updates from launch.

Cameras

Google is known for outstanding smartphone photography, and the Pixel 9a does not disappoint. On the face of it, the main lens’ 48MP feels like a downgrade from the 8a’s 64MP; however, we found the combination of 48MP main camera and 13MP ultrawide lens delivers sharp, true to life shots. No matter what you’re snapping, Google’s advanced computational photography and AI-powered features mean that every photo is automatically optimised for lighting, colour, and clarity helping turn even the most mundane of shots into beautifully vibrant imagery. The 13MP front-facing camera also has ultrawide capabilities, perfect for squeezing another person in group shots, or capturing an in-depth, detailed image.

Night Sight, Real Tone, and Super Res Zoom make lowlight photography and close-up shots more impressive than ever. While the Pixel 9a doesn’t include a dedicated telephoto lens, its smart, software-based zoom ensures crisp details without the need for a bulky set up on the handset’s exterior. Once you’ve hit the editing suite, there’s plenty more to play with, too. Tools like Magic Editor, Reimagine and Photo Unblur have become stalwart features, allowing you to create entirely unique images.

Summary

With an upgraded design, intelligent cameras and classic Google features, the Google Pixel 9a is as elegant as it is functional: and in keeping with Google’s mid-range line, the Pixel 9a includes many of the most-loved features of the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, at a more affordable price point. Learn more about the difference between SIM only and contract phones to find your next Google phone.

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