Google has just announced the latest update to its popular mid - range accumulation , the Pixel 9a . But how does it compare to the Pixel 8a ?
While you might expect the veritable yearly specification bump , the Pixel 9a make up a massive change to the budget - focused ‘ a ’ series .
Not only does it offer a wholly singular design compared to the rest of the collection , but it offers a larger display , a bigger assault and battery with faster charging and boosted photographic camera performance – all for the same damage as its precursor .
That said , here ’s how the Pixel 9a compares to thePixel 8aon theme ahead of our in - astuteness compare once we spend some time with the new mid - ranger . We ’ve also compared the Pixel 9a to thePixel 9,Pixel 7aand theiPhone 16eif you ’re curious about how it stacks up .
Pricing and availability
The Google Pixel 9a starts at the same £ 499 as the Pixel 8a at launching last year , and it once again come with 128 GB of depot . It ’s set to go on sale sometime in April , with a specific on - cut-rate sale date yet to be confirmed .
The Pixel 8a , on the other hand , has dropped in damage compared to its RRP , uncommitted for £ 334.99 at Amazon at the time of writing , and it ’s likely it ’ll only get more low-cost once the Pixel 9a becomes more far-flung .
The Google Pixel 9a has a refreshed look
The most obvious difference between the Google Pixel 9a and the Pixel 8a is the overall feeling and finger . While the Pixel 8a tight resemble the look of the flagshipPixel 8 , complete with the signature camera ginmill , the Pixel 9a offers something else only .
Rather than base the plan off the Pixel 9 , as with previous ‘ a ’ series launches , the Pixel 9a offer a new design without Google ’s immediately recognizable camera saloon . In its station , the Pixel 9a offer a near - flush dual television camera setup in the top - lead corner .
The Pixel 9a sport matt edges and rounded corners , like the Pixel 9 and plenty of other Android smartphones in 2025 . To top it off , it also offers IP68 dust and water immunity , an rising slope over its predecessor ’s IP67 .
New colourful finish complement the redesign ; along with the return of Obsidian and Porcelain finishes , the Pixel 9a is available in Iris and Peony . The Pixel 8a , on the other hand , was uncommitted in Bay and Aloe .
The Google Pixel 9a has a larger screen
away from the redesign human body , the most immediately noticeable change from this year ’s mid - range Pixel is the screen . The Pixel 9a ’s pOLED panel has raise by 0.2 column inch compared to its forerunner , now measuring in at 6.3 inches – the same sizing as the full - productive Pixel 9 .
It ’s not just a big display either ; Google claim that it ’s 35 % brilliant than the Pixel 8a ’s screen , boating a efflorescence smartness of 2700nits when watching HDR content and up to 1800nits in regular use .
For context , the Pixel 8a had a 6.1 - inch Actua display with a peak brightness of 2000nits , act quite the twelvemonth - on - year jump .
However , other key factor like the active ( 60 - 120Hz ) refresh charge per unit and Gorilla Glass 3 tribute stay unchanged . Plus , with only a 24 - pixel leap in solving , the Pixel 8a is technically more pixel - dense at 430ppi liken to the Pixel 9a ’s 422ppi – though this is n’t likely something you ’ll notice in everyday habit .
The Google Pixel 9a sports an upgraded Tensor chipset
Another primal improver to the Pixel 9a ’s roll is an upgraded chipset ; Google ’s ownTensor G4 , to be precise .
This is the same Tensor G4 chipset as the flagship Pixel 9 range , though it has beenslightlytweaked to be a fiddling more budget - friendly . It wo n’t quite reach the same heights as the Pixel 9 , then , but it should offer a meaningful rise over theTensor G3 in the Pixel 8a .
That said , Google ’s Tensor chipsets have a bit of a reputation for being underpowered compared to the Snapdragon and Dimensity contest , focusing rather on AI functioning .
We ’ve already escort the Tensor G4 - power Pixel 9 trailing behindSnapdragon 8 Gen 3devices , allow aloneSnapdragon 8 Elitedevices , so do n’t expecttrueflagship power here – but it ’s still a solidly powerful chipset that ’ll see you through most day - to - day job with repose .
That ’s copulate with 8 GB of RAM and either 128- or 256 GB of storage , matching that of the Pixel 8a .
The Google Pixel 9a has more capable camera hardware
On paper , you might assume that the Pixel 9a has had a downgrade in the tv camera section – and it ’s soft to see why . While the Pixel 8a shipped with a high - re 64MP primary camera , the Pixel 9a ships with a lower - res 48MP alternative .
That say , you should never judge a camera by its pixel tally , and that ’s just as dependable here . While the megapixel enumeration may be lower , the new primary television camera not only has a all-encompassing f/1.7 aperture but also a magnanimous 1/2 - inch sensor compared to the Pixel 8a ’s f/1.9 and 1/1.73 - in severally .
fuse , these should allow for the Pixel 9a to capture more light and detail than its predecessor and advance dispirited - lighting performance – though we ’ll have to confirm that once we ’ve done more in - depth examination .
The subaltern 13MP ultrawide and front - facing 13MP selfie photographic camera remain unaltered compared to the Pixel 8a , however , and both plunk for AI - powered camera features like Super Res Zoom and a slew of AI - powered photo editing features . Some features , like Add Me , are undivided to the Pixel 9a , but not all .
The Google Pixel 9a has a bigger battery and faster charging
With the extra space in the bod provided with a great screen , the Pixel 9a also sees an upgrade to overall barrage fire capacity .
The Pixel 9a boasts a 5100mAh cellular telephone , a not - peanut acclivity from the 4492mAh cellular phone recover in the Pixel 8a . Google claims that the upgraded cell unite with the Tensor G4 can provide 30 + hr of battery life on a charge , though we ’ll have to put that to the test when we review the unexampled model .
Not only that but the Pixel 9a charge at a debauched 23W than the Pixel 8a ’s 18W. Even with a large capacity battery , that should interpret to slightly speedier charge times – though again , we ’ll have to put that to the test in the coming days .
The only component that remains unchanged is wireless charging , with both modeling hold up Qi charging up to 7.5W.
Early thoughts
The Google Pixel 9a looks to be a worthwhile upgrade compared to the Pixel 8a and will likely interchange the 8a in ourbest mid - range smartphonechart once we review it .
The redesign look and feel , along with a larger , bright screen , a boosted independent camera , a expectant battery and a fast C.P.U. , palpate like a significant step forward for Pixel ’s mid - range ‘ a ’ collection – and all for the same cost as the Pixel 8a .
We ’ll be reviewing the Pixel 9a in the coming day , so check back soon for our in - depth thoughts and last finding of fact .
