Google’s Pixel A-series has always been about striking that sweet spot—borrowing the brains of the premium Pixels and packaging them into something a little more budget-friendly. The Google Pixel 9a follows suit, blending flagship DNA with a price tag that doesn’t make your wallet flinch too much.
Google Pixel 9a
Rs 49,999
What Is Good?
- Excellent everyday performance
- Solid battery life
- Good looking design, quite adorable
- Dependable cameras
- Multimedia experience is amazing
- Software experience is extraordinary
- Includes all AI features from costlier Pixel 9 devices
What Is Bad?
- Heats up under pressure
- Charging is too slow
- Thick bezels are hard to ignore
- More alternatives available in the market
It’s compact and easy on the hands. It’s the kind of phone that makes you go “aww” before you even unlock it. On the inside, it’s powered by the Google Tensor G4—the same chip used in the Pixel 9, 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL. You also get a surprisingly large 5,100mAh battery than the Pixel 8a and a reliable dual-camera setup on the back.
But here’s where it gets tricky: with a price tag of Rs 49,999, is the Pixel 9a the right choice, especially when competitors like the Xiaomi 14 CIVI, and OnePlus 13R are in the ring? I’ve been using the 9a for a while, and here’s my take.
Design and Display
I got my hands on the Obsidian colourway, and I have to say—it’s a genuinely charming piece of hardware. I also checked out the Porcelain variant, and honestly, both look stunning. There’s something delightful about its design; every time I pick it up, I find myself admiring just how compact and endearing it looks.
The in-hand feel is excellent. It’s lightweight without feeling flimsy, and the compact frame makes it easy to use one-handed. Interestingly, I’ve been using it without a case, and so far, no accidental drops.
The back panel design takes a slightly different approach. The camera module is a huge departure from the Pixel 9 series, as it does away with the visor. The Pixel 9a opts for a camera module that sits flush with the back panel. It’s essentially a harkback to smartphones from 2017.
| Design | Specifications |
| Weight | 185.9 grams |
| Thickness | 8.9mm |
| Colours | Iris, Porcelain and Obsidian |
| IP Rating | IP68 dust and water resistant |
| Port and Button Placements | Bottom: Primary microphone, USB port, Speaker grille, SIM tray Top: Secondary microphone Right Side: Volume buttons and power button |
As for the haptics, they’re surprisingly refined. For instance, while adjusting the brightness, the combination of the pill animation and the gentle feedback felt really well-tuned. These details add to the overall polish of the experience. That’s what makes the Pixel still stand out in the market, the experience.
The Pixel 9a brings a few quiet upgrades, starting with an improved IP rating over the Pixel 8a. It’s got a slightly better chance against unexpected splashes or a sudden pour.
The display has also grown slightly, which sounds promising—until you notice the bezels. These bezels are bold and quite intrusive.
| Display | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.3-inch |
| Type | Actua Display |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2424 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 60-120Hz |
| Peak Brightness | Claimed: 2700 nits Tested: 1864 nits |
| Minimum Brightness | 11 nits |
On a brighter note, Google has cranked up the screen brightness by 700 nits. That’s a significant jump and sunlight readability is excellent.
The refresh rate on this phone is impressively smooth and noticeably quick, making the display feel more responsive overall. Compared to devices like the iPhone 16e—and even the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, which still stick to 60Hz—this feels like a definite step up at a lesser price.
I also enjoyed watching When Life Gives You Tangerines on Netflix. The colours looked vibrant, and the deeper blacks came through well.
The stereo speakers on the Pixel 9a sound really solid. They get plenty loud, and there’s just enough bass to keep things feeling full.
Hardware and Software
The Pixel 9a runs on Google’s Tensor G4 chip, the same one powering the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. On paper, that sounds solid—but the AnTuTu score was a bit underwhelming, falling below the 1 million mark. In comparison, phones like the Xiaomi 14 CIVI and OnePlus 13R performed noticeably better. You can check the graph below for a clearer picture.
After running multiple benchmarks, it stayed warm throughout and was slightly uncomfortable to hold after a while. The Pixel’s are pretty much notorious for that.
That said, performance numbers aren’t everything. The Pixel 9a focuses more on delivering a smooth everyday experience and polished software features. Still, the thermal management could use some fine-tuning during extended use.
| Hardware | Specifications |
| Processor | Google Tensor G4 SoC |
| RAM | Up to 8GB |
| Storage | Up to 256GB |
| Storage Test | 983487 |
| CPU Throttling Test | 62 per cent of its max performance |
| Software Version | Android 15 Seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates |
| Connectivity Details | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3 |
The Pixel 9a ships with Android 15 right out of the box, and Google promises seven years of software updates. That means this phone should comfortably last you until 2032—which is practically a lifetime in phone years.
Software-wise, the Pixel 9a comes stacked with AI goodies like Gemini Live, Multimodal Gemini, Deep Research, and Gems.
I tried out the Gems feature by creating one for my workout routine. Gemini took the lead and suggested personalised workouts that made me feel productive. Every time I wanted to shake things up, it had fresh ideas ready to go.
Then there’s the image generation tool—which, honestly, is a lot of fun. I once asked it for a flying dog, and it delivered a masterpiece that still makes its way into my WhatsApp chats.
Features like Call Assist, Circle to Search, and Pixel Studio round out the experience. We’ve done an in-depth analysis of all the AI stuff in our Pixel 9 review, you can read that here.
Overall, the Pixel 9a delivers a smooth and thoughtful user experience—it’s clear that a lot of care has gone into making it genuinely intuitive.
Cameras
This phone features a dual-camera setup on the rear. However, the primary camera’s megapixel count has been downgraded from last year’s 64-megapixel sensor. That said, the aperture size has been adjusted, so it can take in more light.
The primary camera does a fine job balancing colours and capturing a good dynamic range. However, the photos do come out with a cooler tint. A bit more brightness wouldn’t hurt. But it managed to pick up the fog in the frame, which shows it’s not slacking in the detail department.
The ultra-wide lens is surprisingly wide and even better—no distortions at the edges. It keeps the colours and range pretty much in sync with the main camera.
| Camera | Specifications |
| Primary Camera | 48-megapixel, Quad PD Dual Pixel with OIS, f/1.7 aperture, 82-degree field of view |
| Secondary Camera | 13-megapixel ultrawide camera, f/2.2 aperture 120-degree field of view |
| Selfie Camera | 13-megapixel, f/2.2 aperture 96.1-degree field of view |
| Video Recording Capabilities | Up to 4K at 60fps |
This time around, there’s also a macro mode in the mix. It’s great for those close-up moments—tiny bugs and flowers, or even mouth-watering food shots.
Portrait shots mostly get it right—skin tones look natural, the blur is nicely done, and edge detection is sharp…well, most of the time. Every now and then, the camera gets a little confused and trims a strand of hair or two.
On the selfie front, you get two options: 1x and 1.5x. The 1.5x mode was my personal favourite—it gives you that extra space for scenic backgrounds or just a bit more shoulder room.
Low light performance is surprisingly good. It pulls out detail even in dim settings. But alas, the lens flare issue still makes an appearance in certain conditions. Zooming in at 2x added a bit of fuzz to the frame. Surprisingly though, even in dim lighting, the 1x mode held its ground without making things too grainy.
The Pixel 9a also brings along several AI camera tools like Add Me, Best Take, Audio Magic Eraser, Reimagine, and Auto Frame in Magic Editor—features also found on the Pixel 9 series.
Battery and Charging
The Pixel 9a gets a notable battery upgrade this year, with a 608mAh increase over the Pixel 8a. As expected, there’s no charging adapter in the box, so you might need to plan for that extra purchase.
Charging the phone from zero to full took a little over two hours, making it one of the slower charging experiences I’ve had recently.
| Battery | Specifications |
| Battery | 5,100mAh |
| Charging Adapter | 23W Wired Charging, no charger in-the-box |
| Charging Time | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| PCMark Battery Test | 17 hours |
When it comes to battery life, the phone holds up well. Even with camera-heavy usage, some streaming, and general day-to-day tasks, I still had 29% left by the end of the day. It’s safe to say the battery life is dependable.
Verdict
The Pixel 9a lands with a slightly cheaper price tag—Rs 3,000 less than the Pixel 8a—but don’t pop the confetti just yet. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, with a half-and-half blend of upgrades and compromises.
To start with, the phone gets a performance boost thanks to the new Tensor G4 chip. However, thermal management is still a concern. The device tends to heat up, especially during prolonged camera use in outdoor conditions.
Camera-wise, while the megapixel count has taken a dip this year, the improved aperture lets in more light, and the results are actually pretty lovely. Saturated colours, strong dynamic range, and even foggy details show up nicely. But, the output with cool temperature with a bit of faded look may not be to everyone’s liking.
Battery life is another strong point. With regular day-to-day use—camera, messaging, and media playback—the phone comfortably lasts a full day and sometimes more.
The display has increased slightly in size, though the thick bezels are still noticeable. That said, the quality of the display is excellent, and the stereo speakers enhance the multimedia experience.
What truly stands out is the software experience. The Pixel 9a runs clean, smooth, and comes with several useful AI features seen in higher-end Pixel models. These tools can be handy in everyday use, offering convenience and a bit of creativity when needed.
Overall, the Pixel 9a focuses more on delivering a consistent and enjoyable daily experience rather than chasing top-tier performance. If that’s your priority, it’s a solid pick. But if performance is key, you might want to look at options like the OnePlus 13R, Xiaomi 14 CIVI, or Realme GT 6.
