Apple recently launched the iPhone 16e, a supposedly more affordable version of its flagship lineup. Now, it’s Google’s turn to take a swing at a budget-friendly flagship alternative with the Pixel 9a priced at £500 in the UK or $500 in the US.
It’s slightly cheaper than the iPhone 16e but is it actually any good? After using the Pixel 9a as my daily driver for over a week, here’s my in-depth review.
Design and Build Quality
As someone with smaller hands, I’m still a bit disappointed that the Pixel 9a has grown slightly compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 8. It now sports a 6.3-inch display, which is still relatively compact for a 2025 smartphone. However, the chunky bezels make it feel less mini than I’d like.
That said, the bezels are at least symmetrical and after a while, you stop noticing them. The biggest design change this generation is the almost completely flat profile, which is fantastic for stability when using the phone on a desk no wobbling here.
I do miss the old Pixel design with its horizontal camera bar, which doubled as a handy finger shelf for one-handed use. The new flattened edges give it an iPhone-like feel and if that’s what Google was going for mission accomplished.
The front is still protected by Gorilla Glass 3 (surprisingly not upgraded to Victus) but after weeks of rough treatment, my Pixel 9a remains scratch-free. The matte plastic back does get grubby, though requiring regular cleaning.
My favorite color option is the purple, it’s vibrant without being over the top, unlike the pink variant, which might be a bit much for some. Overall, the design is sleek and premium-looking despite the plastic back. My only gripe? I wish it were more compact and hand-friendly.
Oh, and it’s IP68 water-resistant slightly better than the previous generation, meaning it can survive deeper and longer submersion.
Display and Audio
The 6.3-inch OLED display is sharp (2424×1080 resolution) and great for watching movies, with HDR support for Netflix and Disney+. Brightness has improved over the Pixel 8, making it usable in sunlight—though reflections can still be an issue.
The adaptive brightness can be inconsistent, sometimes requiring manual adjustment. The screen also doesn’t dim enough for late-night viewing, but it does include anti-flicker tech for those sensitive to OLED flicker.
The 120Hz refresh rate is smooth, but it’s not an LTPO panel, so it drops to 60Hz when idle. The under-display fingerprint sensor works well, but the screen becomes frustratingly unresponsive when wet so keep it dry in the rain.
Audio is a strong point: the stereo speakers are loud and well-balanced, and Bluetooth streaming has been flawless, even in busy environments like Manhattan.
Android & Features
The Pixel 9a’s under-display fingerprint sensor works well, even with slightly damp fingers though it struggled when my hands were overly dry during travel. Face unlock is a reliable backup, even in tricky lighting, and it supports banking apps securely.
Google continues to impress with software support, offering seven years of OS updates, matching its flagship Pixel 9 lineup. That means this phone will be supported until I’m in my 50s a depressing thought.
Software-wise, it’s nearly identical to the regular Pixel 9, but there are a few omissions. You don’t get a free year of Gemini Advanced (only the basic version), and the biggest letdown is the lack of Screenshots, one of Google’s best AI features. As someone with a terrible memory, I found Screenshots incredibly useful for remembering events, movies, or admin tasks.
Otherwise, most Pixel-exclusive features are here, including Car Crash Detection, Theft Detection, and Google’s built-in VPN (though availability varies by country). The stock Android experience is as smooth as ever, and after a week of use, I encountered zero bugs—likely thanks to Android 15’s maturity.
Storage is a sticking point: the base model comes with just 128GB, and upgrading to 256GB costs an extra £100. That’s stingy compared to rivals like the Samsung Galaxy A56, which offers 256GB standard. And, of course, there’s no microSD support.
Gaming and Performance
The Pixel 9a runs on the same Tensor G4 chip as Google’s flagships, but with only 8GB of RAM. Everyday performance is buttery smooth, but demanding games like Witcher and Waves struggle, with frame rates dropping to 30-40fps during action.
Well-optimized games like Call of Duty run fine, but the gaming mode is barebones—just a frame counter and YouTube streaming. No advanced optimizations or leaderboards here.
Thermals are decent—it gets warm but never overheats (unless left in direct sunlight on a scorching day). The only time mine shut down was when I left it outside in 26°C heat—but to be fair, so did another flagship I tested.
Battery Life
The 5,100mAh battery is a significant upgrade over the Pixel 8’s 4,500mAh cell. On typical UK days, I ended with 25-30% left after heavy use—streaming, camera use, and multitasking.
However, using an eSIM abroad (in New York) drained it faster, forcing me into power-saving mode by evening—likely due to constant mobile data and heavy camera use.
Charging is slow (23W wired, 7.5W wireless) and there’s no battery share for wireless earbuds or smartwatches.
Cameras
The dual-camera setup includes a 48MP main sensor (with OIS) and a 13MP ultra-wide. There’s no telephoto lens or pro controls, but Night Sight works well in low light.
Photos are crisp, with natural colors and better contrast than iPhones—though sunlight shots can be slightly oversaturated. Indoor and night shots are excellent, and Super Res Zoom lets you pinch in 3-4x without losing too much detail.
Video maxes out at 4K/60fps, but there’s no 10-bit HDR or Video Boost like on the Pixel 9 flagships. The audio eraser tool is fantastic for cleaning up background noise in videos.
The 13MP selfie camera is solid, with 4K video support and good stabilization.
Verdict
The Pixel 9a is a fantastic mid-range phone for most users, with flagship-level software support and a great camera. However, rivals like the Nothing Phone (3a Pro) offer extras like a telephoto lens and Glyph lighting, making them tough competitors.
If you’re not a hardcore gamer, the Pixel 9a is a great choice—just don’t expect flagship-level storage or charging speeds.
