Pixel 9a: Google's answer to the Apple iPhone 16E

Google's alternative to the Apple iPhone 16E is called Pixel 9a. With the new A-Class, Google follows the proven concept of mid-range pixels, but goes other ways in the design. Visually, the Pixel 9a has little to do with the other current pixels.

The camera battery on the back has been an elementary design element of the Google smartphones since Pixel 6. In Pixel 9a, it falls away in favor of a simple black element, which houses two cameras and only stands out minimally from the back. The Pixel 9a, which is available in black, white, blue and pink, does not look like a member of the Pixel family. In times when it is generally increasingly difficult for smartphone manufacturers to sting out of the crowd, this decision is surprising.

But as is well known, optics are not everything, and mostly the smartphone will disappear in a shell anyway. Technically, the Pixel 9a has a lot with the expensive sister models, especially the processor. The Google Tensor G4 is rather weak on the chest for the luxury class when it comes to computing and graphics performance, for the price range of the 9a, which costs from 549 euros but greatly dimensioned. The SoC is also more optimized for AI performance. The Titan-M2 security chip is also on board.

A symmetrical but rather broad frame runs around the 6.3 -inch display. The OLED screen represents 2424 x 1080 pixels, Google promises a brightness of up to 1800 cd/m² in regular operation and 2700 cd/m² in the top. The display supports refresh rates from 60 to 120 Hertz. For comparison: The more expensive iPhone 16E only has a 60-Hertz display-a clear disadvantage, animations and scrolling appear more smooth with higher frame rates.

Two cameras and seven years updates

Unlike Apple, which only gives the entry-level iPhone a single camera, Google incorporates the Pixel 9a two on the back: a main camera with a 48-megapixel sensor and a 13-megapixel ultra-wake angle. The front camera takes pictures with up to 13 megapixels. The cameras bring a lot of AI supported functions, such as the “Add Me” introduced with the Pixel 9, in which the photographer can be added to the group picture with a second photo. The macrom mode of the 9a is also new for the Pixel middle class. In the options for image editing, other AI games such as the magical eraser or best take for exchanging faces can be found in a group photo.

The Pixel 9a delivered with Android 15 comes with Google's AI assistant Gemini. Like the other current pixels, the 9A of Google is supplied with updates for seven years.

In the housing, which is protected against dust and water according to IP68, Google also hides 8 GB RAM and 128 or 256 GB not expandable flash memory and a battery with a capacity of 5100 mAh. A fingerprint sensor is embedded on the display, and the facial draw can be used via the front camera. The only cable connection is a USB-C-3.2 port, the Google Pixel 9a does not have a jack socket. The smartphone supports a nano SIM and ESIM and sparks in the near area via Bluetooth 5.3 and WiFi 6e.

Date for the start of sales still unclear

In the meantime, exactly the sale of Pixel 9a will begin is not yet clear. Actually, the first customers should be able to hold the smartphone in their hands next week, but Google postponed the start at short notice “in April”. The manufacturer did not become more specific in terms of reasons or in view of a precise date.