Its a solid bargain phone, if you dont mind the looks.
The Pixel 9a performs as well as thePixel 9in almost every way.
It takes photos that look nearly as good as the pics I get from myPixel 9 Pro.
The Pixel 9a, Pixel 9, and Pixel 9 Pro (left to right)
It has most of the latest AI features that make the Pixel a compelling choice for Google fans.
I just wish it looked like a Pixel.
Dont get me wrong; I love the color of the Peony review sample that Google sent me.
The Pixel 9a, Pixel 9, and Pixel 9 Pro (left to right)
Putting the phone in its case was like putting lipstick on a pig.
This phone is flat and boring.
The camera bump is apologetic, rather than the bold statement the bump on the Pixel 9 makes.
The Pixel 9a, Pixel 9, and Pixel 9 Pro (left to right)
I dont get it.
For instance, the camera sensors are much,muchsmaller than the sensors on thePixel 8a.
The Pixel 8a also launched with the same 8GB of RAM as thePixel 8.
The Pixel 6a, Pixel 7a, and Pixel 8a (left to right) all look like the other Pixel phones in their series
), which makes a difference when it comes to running all of the AI features on the phone.
Is the Pixel 9a a letdown?
Except for one small thing: the Pixel 8a might be just as good.
Trying to beautify the Pixel 9a as best I can
Or just buy the Pixel 8a because at least that phone looks like a Pixel.
Okay, thats all the nice I have in me for this phone’s design.
The Pixel 9a is just a flat slab of plastic broken by a round camera bump.
The Pixel 9a in Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, and Peony (top to bottom)
Google says 23% of the Pixel 9a is recycled materials, by weight.
If you really want a phone that is borin… er, flat, this is a good pick.
Google also says the Pixel 9a is the most durable Pixel A-series phone yet.
See! A bargain phone can look cool, not clunky
The back of the phone is plastic, not glass, so it should be more durable.
Googles version of Android is the most refined you might get, with the fewest extraneous features.
Todays Android is simpler, and better for it.
The Pixel 9a hiding behind the Pixel 9 because it knows that it’s ugly
For instance, Googles Voice Recorder app is the best at transcribing what it hears into text.
I especially like Googles AI calling tools.
My caller will be alerted to the fact that they’re being recorded, so theres no privacy concern.
Googles Gemini Live conversation tool also got a nice boost on the Pixel 9a.
I pointed Gemini at the blank wall beneath my TV and asked for suggestions on how to decorate it.
Of course, there are plenty of AI slop tools on the Pixel 9a as well.
I have a big problem with these tools.
They’re bigoted by nature.
Sorry, this Pixel has no business creating images of people if it resorts to stereotypes.
Google should remove this capability from Pixel Studio immediately.
Google Pixel 9a review: Cameras
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the Pixel 9as camera capabilities.
Even the raw files it produces are 12MP or less.
Thats fine by me!
That means it captures much less light, which affects every other aspect of photography.
Thankfully, Googles AI photography magic has never been more powerful.
You can no longer group apps into folders or even change the order of the app list
Photos look great, nearly identical to Pixel 9 Pro photos, until you zoom in close.
Then things get muddy, but the Pixel 9a produces images with accurate colors and good lighting.
I was blown away by the new macro photography capabilities on the Pixel 9a.
Gemini Live isn’t interesting to look at, but it’s fun to talk to the machine
The results were truly shocking.
Without a flash, the Pixel 9a totally outperformed my Nikon.
Even with a flash attached, my Nikon wasnt much more sharp than the Pixel 9a.
I asked Pixel Studio for “A Jewish man” and got these three images in a row(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
The Pixel even managed to expose a wider swath of the subject than my Nikon at f/16.
Its still slow, objectively and subjectively.
It isnt as smooth and responsive as iOS on any recent iPhone.
I asked Pixel Studio for “A Jewish man” and got these three images in a row(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Apparently RAM does make a big difference with these AI features.
I didnt see any benefit, though.
Even then, battery life was acceptable, if not exceptional.
I asked Pixel Studio for “A Jewish man” and got these three images in a row(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Our Future Labs testing concurs.
Thats not terrible, but you could find longer-lasting phones in this price range.
The Nothing Phone 3a Pro lasted more than an hour longer in Future Labs.
The Pixel 9a does include wireless charging, which isnt common on a bargain phone.
The Pixel 9a can only charge up to 23W, which isnt very fast.
Should you buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro?
There’s much bigger sensors under that big Pixel 9 bump
The cameras are among the best in this price range, even if the look isnt so premium.
5 / 5
Design
Its durable, and the colors are real nice.
Otherwise, its ugly as sin.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Seriously, Google had a winning A-series formula that it ruined when it created this phone.
But the design doesnt get in the way, at least.
3 / 5
Display
Excellent display that’s bright and colorful, better than most phones at this price.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Some trouble with Adaptive mode was easily fixed.
If only the phones performance could keep up with the fast screen.
4 / 5
Software
A polished version of Android that’s easier to use, with plenty of features.
That is very close up(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Astonishing macro capabilities rival my DSLR camera and make this phone a winner.
Too bad about the low resolution and lack of detail, and some zoom would have been nice.
Performance
Performance is adequate for Pixel fans, though it wont win any races.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
That makes it a keeper if you want a bargain phone that will last.
I dont know why Google uglified its Pixel like this, but it hurts.
You dont want to support bigoted AI image generatorsAI image generator tools that produce only stereotypes reinforce bigotry.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
This software isnt acceptable on my smartphone and it needs to go.
I tested the Pixel 9a with aPixel Watch3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2.
I connected the phone to my car and tested Android Auto.
A Long Exposure photo(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
I connected an Xbox wireless controller for gaming.
For macro photo comparisons, I compared against my Nikon D750 camera with a Tamron 100mm macro lens.
Future Labs tests phones using a mix of third-party benchmark software and proprietary, real-world tests.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
We use Geekbench, CrossMark, JetStream, WebXPRT and Mobile XPRT, and 3DMark for performance testing.
We test a phone’s performance on tasks usingAdobePremiere Rush.
We also measure display color output and brightness.
