In August, Google launched four versions of the Pixel 9, but the Pixel 9a was notably missing. That’s not surprising, as Google typically releases the ‘a’ version a bit later. With even the most affordable Pixel 9 now priced at $799—the same as the iPhone 16—the Pixel 9a can’t arrive soon enough for budget-conscious buyers.
Given that the Pixel 8a topped our list of best budget smartphones, what can we expect from the Pixel 9a? Let’s dive into the latest details.
Google Pixel 9a: Price and Release Date
Historically, Google has revealed its Pixel ‘a’ series at the annual Google I/O event in May. However, according to reports from Android Headlines, Google is shaking things up. The Pixel 9a is expected to go up for pre-order by mid-March 2025, with the device hitting stores later that same month. This earlier release aligns with Google’s decision to move the regular Pixel release from October to August this year.
While it would be ideal for the Pixel 9a to stick to its $499 price tag, the rising cost of the Pixel series suggests a potential increase. With the Pixel 9 starting at $799, there’s speculation that the Pixel 9a might land between $549 and $599.
Google Pixel 9a: Design Rumors
The Pixel 9a could feature a departure from the familiar design, reportedly ditching the signature camera bar introduced with the Pixel 6 series. Instead, leaked renders from Android Headlines and OnLeaks suggest a dual-camera system housed within an oval on the left, flush with the backplate. Earlier leaks also supported this shift, showing a more streamlined design.
From the front, the phone looks similar to its predecessor, with a hole-punch camera and thick bezels framing the screen. Its dimensions, 152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9mm, suggest a slightly taller and slimmer profile compared to the Pixel 8a.
As for colors, expect to see the Pixel 9a available in Porcelain, Obsidian, Peony, and Iris, which translate to white, black, pink, and purple.
Google Pixel 9a: Expected Specs
The Pixel 9a is rumored to be powered by the same Tensor G4 chipset as the Pixel 9, though with a small caveat. It might feature the older Exynos Modem 5300 instead of the newer 5400, which powers features like Satellite SOS on the Pixel 9. This change likely won’t be noticeable for most users but means the Pixel 9a could miss out on this potential life-saving feature.
While we don’t have all the details yet, the Pixel 9a will likely start with 128GB of storage and maintain the 8GB RAM seen in the Pixel 8a. While that may seem underwhelming compared to the Pixel 9’s 12GB RAM—needed for Gemini AI tasks—the Pixel 8a performed well with AI, so there’s little reason for concern here.
Battery life may also see a small improvement, though nothing drastic, and we’re still waiting for confirmation on whether the camera setup will improve on the Pixel 7a’s 64MP/13MP configuration. Given how strong the Pixel 8a was in terms of photography, we hope for even better performance in 2025.
Google Pixel 9a: Final Thoughts
While there’s still much we don’t know—particularly regarding the camera and battery—the Pixel 9a seems poised to continue Google’s tradition of delivering excellent value at a midrange price. As long as the price remains competitive, the Pixel 9a will likely be another winner for budget-conscious consumers when it launches in 2025.
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