The Pixel 9a represents a much bigger mid-range cellphone improve over the Pixel 8a than you would possibly suppose.
Google has lastly introduced its new Pixel 9a mid-range smartphone, and it’s… nearly precisely what we have been anticipating. Web leaks are a little bit of a bummer typically, aren’t they?
If you happen to’re struggling to muster up a lot enthusiasm for the closely trailered Pixel 9a, although it’s price contemplating the way it compares to the Pixel 8a. Taking a better look reveals it to be fairly the overhaul.
Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a: Design
I used to be an enormous fan of Google’s earlier Pixel design language, to which the Pixel 8a will go down as the ultimate adherent.
Nonetheless, you may’t deny that the Pixel 9a appears to be like to be a a lot sharper operator. Its flattened-out design may be distinctly iPhone-like, nevertheless it additionally appears to be like extra purposeful and premium.
Google’s new cellphone is definitely a fraction greater at 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm, in comparison with the Pixel 8a’s 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9mm. It’s solely barely lighter at 186g (vs 188g), too.
However when you think about the extras that Google is cramming in, holding to roughly the identical footprint seems like an engineering feat in itself.
Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a: Show
Google is growing the scale of the Pixel 9a’s show from 6.1 to six.3 inches. That’s the identical dimension because the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional screens.
The decision stays FHD+, and the refresh fee nonetheless tops out at 120Hz. Nonetheless, the brightness is being cranked up a notch.
Whereas the Pixel 8a display screen may hit 2000 nits in peak situations (that’s, restricted areas of the display screen throughout HDR content material), the Pixel 9a show can go all the way in which to 2700 nits. That’s a 35% improve.
With the rise in dimension and brightness mixed, the Pixel 9a is shaping as much as be a lot better than the Pixel 8a for media playback.
Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a: Battery
As we’ve famous elsewhere, maybe essentially the most eye-catching spec improve within the Pixel 9a is its battery.
This 5100mAh cell properly really dwarfs the Pixel 8a’s 4492 mAh unit, marking a 14% improve in capability.
However the motive we’re notably excited is that the Pixel 9a battery is the most important of any Pixel cellphone so far. It even tops the Pixel 9 Professional XL with its 5060mAh cell.
Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a: Efficiency
The Pixel 9a runs on the identical Tensor G4 processor as the remainder of the Pixel 9 household. What’s barely underwhelming inside a flagship context (see our Pixel 9 Professional overview) ought to transform class-leading in a mid-range cellphone.
Naturally, this must also imply a large efficiency increase over the Pixel 8a and its Tensor G3 chip.
If you need an early preview of what we’re speaking about right here, try the comparative benchmark scores on our Pixel 9 overview. That cellphone’s Geekbench 6 multi-core rating represents a 47% improve over the Pixel 8 and its personal Tensor G3.
Anticipate an identical efficiency hole between the Pixel 8a and Pixel 9a.
Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a: Digital camera
On paper, the Pixel 9a’s 48Mp essential digital camera seems like a downgrade on the Pixel 8a’s 64Mp sensor. Not solely does it have fewer pixels, however the sensor is barely smaller too (1/2″ vs 1/1.73″).
Take these two metrics collectively, nevertheless, and each cameras produce the identical 0.8µm pixel dimension, which means nothing has been misplaced in light-capturing phrases. Certainly, with a wider f/1.7 aperture (in comparison with f/1.9 within the Pixel 8a), the Pixel 9a’s essential digital camera ought to permit extra gentle in.
Given these specs, the Pixel 9a’s essential digital camera would seem like the identical unit as will be discovered on the Pixel 9 Professional Fold. Which, in case you missed our full overview, represents one of many higher foldable cameras in the marketplace.
Impressively, one side of the Pixel 9a that’s unchanged is the beginning value: £499/$499. Regardless of the great spec bump, you don’t must pay further.