Google Pixel 9a review

I’ve been utilizing the Pixel 9a for just a few days now, and right here’s my expertise with the smartphone.

What: Google Pixel 9a |Worth: Rs 49,999, $499, £499, AU$849

Model new design

The Pixel 9a is prone to evoke blended reactions and divide opinion — one thing I sensed from the responses I bought from buddies and other people I do know in tech. The look of the Pixel 9a could be very completely different from the Pixel telephones Google has launched over time. Regardless of the brand new design, I nonetheless felt that the gadget stayed true to its founding rules. 

The Google Pixel 9A has a large and ultrawide digicam. (Picture: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Specific)

As somebody who has taken an curiosity in industrial design over time, one key lesson I’ve realized is that this: simply because you are able to do one thing doesn’t imply you need to. There’s no such factor as a “appropriate” design — and it’s fascinating to see what Google has been in a position to do with the Pixel 9a, particularly within the premium mid-range section.

On the Pixel 9a, the long-lasting digicam bar that when made the Pixel line distinct is gone. As a substitute, Google has opted for a extra subdued, pill-shaped cut-out on the again. The great factor is that due to the telephone’s flat again, it doesn’t wobble when positioned on a floor. Plus, it doesn’t gather mud between the digicam lenses.

That being mentioned, the clear, minimal design stays intact — although the colors are extra muted. I’m undecided if Pixel’s designers are paying tribute to traditional designs from the ’80s, however there’s a delicate reference there. But, on the similar time, the Pixel 9a feels equally trendy.

Look once more on the Pixel 9a — a few of its design options are surprisingly sturdy. It’s not an enormous telephone by any means; my mum was snug utilizing it, and so was my father. Measurement issues — it displays the model’s intent, goal market, and the kind of customers they’re aiming for.

Though not a flagship smartphone, the Pixel 9a will get years of software program updates. (Picture: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Specific)

I’ve at all times appreciated compact telephones anyway. The Pixel 9a is gentle and compact, and it each appears to be like and feels premium. What shocked me most is that the Pixel 9a doesn’t seem like a Rs 50,000 smartphone — it really seems like a way more costly gadget.

Bigger, brighter show 

On the Pixel 9a, the display screen measures 6.3 inches diagonally. It’s a pOLED show that’s large enough for many makes use of and exceptionally shiny — I observed this after I stepped outdoors to ebook an Uber. That mentioned, the thicker bezels across the display screen could be a bit distracting to the eyes. The 120Hz refresh charge is a bonus; it makes scrolling by LinkedIn and Instagram feeds really feel buttery easy. Compared, the iPhone 16e — a telephone that rivals the Pixel 9a — has a barely dimmer show.

The Pixel 9a is the suite of AI enhancing instruments built-in. (Picture: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Specific)

Designed to be highly effective however there’s a catch 

I don’t imagine in benchmarks, nor do I comply with what different reviewers are saying a couple of gadget. I at all times have one rule: use a tool on daily basis and run the apps I exploit probably the most. The Pixel 9a ships with a Google-powered Tensor G4 processor; it’s a chip designed by Google, just like what Apple has performed with its A-series processors on the iPhone. The Tensor G4 processor is the flagship chip that Google additionally makes use of in its high-end Pixel 9 sequence. For on a regular basis use, the efficiency felt the identical (I nonetheless use the Pixel 9 Professional Fold, and I didn’t really feel that the Pixel 9a was any much less highly effective). Meaning the must-have Google apps, in addition to third-party apps alongside cellular video games, run with no points. Nonetheless, I do admit that the Pixel 9a and Google’s personal Pixel 9 Professional XL, for instance, aren’t designed equally. The reason being that the Pixel 9a comes with much less RAM, which implies a number of the Gemini-powered AI options, like Pixel Screenshots and Name Notes, aren’t supported. I’m not positive what led Google to decide on much less RAM for the Pixel 9a, however I used to be each puzzled and amused by the choice. This can be a caveat you may be getting not solely with the Pixel 9a but in addition with the iPhone 16e, which has a barely weaker graphics processing unit for operating video games. 

However the place the Pixel 9a has seen an enormous enchancment — and I say this after utilizing each Pixel telephone since 2016 — is in battery life. Those that purchased a Pixel telephone on my suggestion have been by no means absolutely happy with it. Nonetheless, with the Pixel 9a, Google is utilizing a 5100mAh cell — maybe the most important to this point on a Pixel telephone. Certain, you aren’t going to get a two-day marathon battery life, however I’ve persistently gotten effectively over a day on a single cost. Over the previous few days, I’ve used the Pixel 9a greater than I normally would, due to back-to-back product launches and several other digital briefings. Meaning I’ve used it extra for taking notes, taking images, recording movies, and searching the net. I bear in mind needing an influence financial institution after I was utilizing the Pixel 8a, however with the Pixel 9a, I by no means felt the necessity for one.

The Pixel 9a feels gentle and compact in dimension. (Picture credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Specific)

Loads of AI options — some helpful, and others not a lot

The Pixel 9a is a “demo” gadget for every part Google is doing in synthetic intelligence — and by that, I imply each consumer-facing AI function the corporate has launched over the previous few months. I get that Google — like many others — is presently obsessive about “AI,” and that the quick rollout of those options could not drastically change your life or mine.

However the level is, a Pixel telephone is at all times the primary to get Google’s splashy AI options — a significant differentiator the tech big clearly desires everybody to note.

The Pixel 9a comes with a bunch of cool Gemini options, together with the much-marketed Gemini chatbot, a voice-to-text dwell transcription instrument (which is very helpful for journalists like me), and easy but helpful photo-editing instruments. There are such a lot of AI options, that I’ve actually misplaced rely.

I actually take pleasure in utilizing Google Lens, and I’m steadily getting used to Gemini Dwell — which might not be excellent however is genuinely helpful at occasions. The Pixel 9a can be getting the not too long ago introduced Gemini Dwell Video, a brand-new function that permits it to “see” your display screen or view by your smartphone’s digicam and reply questions about both in actual time. (On the time of scripting this evaluate, the function was not out there in India.)

Moderately good cameras however far from the most effective 

In case you are studying my Pixel 9a evaluate for the digicam, this half could be probably the most subjective aspect of your complete evaluate. It’s possible you’ll or could not agree with me, however I nonetheless imagine the Pixel 9a performs effectively on the digicam entrance — although it’s removed from the most effective. The rationale behind my take is that the signature Pixel tone, which I’ve at all times beloved in earlier Pixel telephones, feels lacking right here. 

On the Pixel 9a, you will see that a dual-camera system consisting of a 48-megapixel fundamental sensor and a 13-megapixel ultrawide, together with a 13-megapixel selfie digicam on the entrance. The photographs that come out are spectacular — shiny and vibrant. Nonetheless, many of the images I took have been additionally overexposed, missing the vibrancy sharpness and pure tones that Pixel sequence cameras are recognized for.

I actually appreciated the Pixel 9a’s macro mode. (Picture: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Specific)

I’ll say it once more: the Pixel 9a’s digicam is superior to every other smartphone digicam in the identical value vary, however one thing is lacking — the magic of the Pixel digicam, which I’m an enormous fan.

However the place the Pixel 9a digicam has seen enchancment over the Pixel 8a is in low-light situations. I went to Nashville’s well-known downtown to shoot the colourful music scene and was impressed by the pictures I captured. You possibly can see the digicam samples beneath and determine for your self the place the Pixel 9a stands in low-light images.

Google Pixel 9a digicam pattern. (Picture: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Specific)
Google Pixel 9a digicam pattern. (Picture: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Specific)
Google Pixel 9a digicam pattern. (Picture: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Specific)
Google Pixel 9a digicam pattern. (Picture: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Specific)
Google Pixel 9a digicam pattern. (Picture: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Specific)

I additionally examined Pixel 9a’s AI software program options that’s embedded deep contained in the digicam like Add Me, Finest Take, Reimagine, and Auto body. I attempted a whole lot of these options throughout the time I used to be testing the Pixel 9a. 

After spending days with the Pixel 9a’s digicam, I got here to the conclusion that whereas the Pixel 9a might not be the most effective digicam telephone on the market, it can attraction to common customers — to not those that fall into the prosumer or inventive segments. The rationale for that is that the Pixel 9a’s digicam sensor is smaller than the Pixel 9’s, which means it captures much less element and light-weight. That is merely how the Pixel 9a is designed, and the place Google needed to minimize prices to maintain the telephone’s value down.

Is the Pixel 9a price it? 

Completely. I used to be genuinely impressed by how Google packaged the Pixel 9a, particularly at this value level. Whereas the Pixel 9a continues to be an amazing smartphone — it might not be a flagship gadget, however not everybody cares about having the most effective {hardware} or the top-tier digicam system.

Frankly, the Pixel 9a is designed by default to do the issues most individuals care about in a smartphone: a pleasant display screen, good cameras, a clear consumer interface, apps that open with out points, lengthy battery life, and the promise of software program updates for years to come back. I’m positive that, to chop prices, Google has omitted some options, like the flamboyant cameras from the high-end Pixel 9 sequence, however that’s about it. You’re additionally paying a lot much less for the Pixel 9a — and that issues rather a lot for common people who find themselves reluctant to spend 1000’s of rupees on an costly smartphone. For me, although, the Pixel 9a is a winner in its present type. However don’t neglect, the Pixel 9a competes immediately with the iPhone 16e, launched in February — the cheaper model of Apple’s iPhone 16, which prices Rs 59,900. It’s as much as you to determine.