Pixel 9a release date expectations, price estimates, and upgrades
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
The Pixel 9a by Google is no longer a secret; the search engine giant is notoriously bad at keeping things secret and we have another proof of it.
So: the Pixel 9a is the mighty potent Pixel 8a's successor. It's to be the seventh Pixel "a" phone. The budget-friendly variants of the Pixel flagships kicked off with the immortal classic Pixel 3a back in 2019 and have left millions of users across the globe satisfied.
But, back to the potential Pixel 9a.
The Pixel 9a is shaping up to be a promising mid-range phone, according to recent (massive) leaks. It will reportedly feature the Google Tensor G4 chipset, paired with 8 GB of RAM and storage options of 128 GB or 256 GB. The battery is expected to be upgraded to 5,100mAh, a 13% increase over its predecessor, with 23W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging.
The camera setup may include a 48MP main sensor, likely the same one used in the Pixel Fold 9 Pro, replacing the Pixel 8a's 64MP sensor for potentially better performance. The ultrawide and front cameras are expected to retain their 13MP resolution. The display will grow to 6.3 inches, offering up to 2,700 nits of peak brightness, while keeping the device compact at 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm and 185.9g.
The camera setup may include a 48MP main sensor, likely the same one used in the Pixel Fold 9 Pro, replacing the Pixel 8a's 64MP sensor for potentially better performance. The ultrawide and front cameras are expected to retain their 13MP resolution. The display will grow to 6.3 inches, offering up to 2,700 nits of peak brightness, while keeping the device compact at 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm and 185.9g.
Other highlights include an IP68 water and dust resistance rating and a design similar to the Pixel 9 lineup, available in Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, and Peony colors. Pricing is rumored to stay consistent with the Pixel 8a, making it a competitive choice in its segment.
The Pixel 9a rumors and leaks are gradually piling up, so let's dive deeper!
Jump to section:
Pixel 9a release date
A report suggests that the Pixel 9a will be available for pre-order in mid-March 2025, with a full release by the end of the month. This marks a shift from the typical Pixel a-series launch, which has traditionally taken place around mid-May. Well, the Pixel 8a also materialized a bit earlier than expected. It kicked off surprisingly on May 7, 2024, instead of the May 14 date that everybody was waiting for (that's when Google's 2024 I/O conference was held).
The earlier release of the Pixel 9a is likely influenced by the upcoming launch of the Pixel 10 in August 2025, allowing Google to create more space between its major product rollouts. Additionally, Google may be aiming to gain an early advantage in the market by avoiding competition with other flagship phones that usually launch in the fall.
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 9a | Mid-March of 2025* | March of 2025* |
| Google Pixel 8a | May 7, 2024 | May 14, 2024 |
| Google Pixel 7a | May 10, 2023 | May 10, 2023 |
Pixel 9a price
The Pixel 9a should not see any further price hikes. Of course, that's just me talking and Google has the last word on the matter.
Google's "a" series started at $399 for the Pixel 3a back in 2019 and since then, the price is going in one direction: up (with the notable exception of the Pixel 4a, which was sold for $349)!
We're talking about 128 GB base models here and if the Pixel 9a starts straight from 256G B, I'm afraid we're going to see baseline prices north of $500 for the first time.
This isn't going to be too smart, because you can't really claim you're making "budget-friendly" handsets if they're priced at over half a grand, can you? Also, 128 GB base storage is enough, given that many users just subscribe for cloud services.
However, we're expecting various trade-ins and promotional offers from major carriers to allure users and get them to click that "Buy now" button once the Pixel 9a becomes available.
| Pixel model | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Pixel 9a | $499* |
| Pixel 8a | $499 |
| Pixel 7a | $499 |
| Pixel 6a | $449 |
* - anticipated prices
Pixel 9a camera
Ah, Pixel phones and their cameras! Much has been said on the matter, and the truth is that many people – including me – have bought a Pixel "a" series handset precisely because of its potent camera. For the price, you're getting a solid snapper that is not outstanding in terms of hardware, but shines on the software front: computational photography for the win!
In a subtle twist that might prove to be substantial, leaks suggest a shift in Google's photographic ambitions. The Pixel 8a's bold 64MP main camera could yield its place to a humbler-sounding 48MP sensor, but don't let that get you down. Actually, this could be the sensor housed in the Pixel Fold 9 Pro. Yet, what the numbers might lack in grandeur, this new sensor promises to reclaim in nuance, hinting at better overall depths and finer details.
Meanwhile, the ultrawide and front cameras (13MP resolution and modest f/2.2 aperture), could remain the same.
So, the Pixel 9a's camera setup could be:
- Main camera: The Pixel 9a could inherint it from the Pixel Fold 9 Pro: 48MP (down from the Pixel 7a's 64MP main camera), but this is a larger sensor with a larger aperture of f/1.7 that should result in better photo and video end results.
- Ultrawide camera: The ultrawide camera from the Pixel 8a and the 7a could also be the one used in the Pixel 9a. It features a 13MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and a 120-degree field of view.
- Front camera: The front camera on the 9a also could be the one from the Pixel 8a: a 13MP sensor, equipped with a fixed-focus f/2.2 lens and a 96.5-degree ultrawide field of view.
- Best Take: Automatically captures multiple shots and suggests the best one.
- Magic Editor: A powerful editing tool that allows you to reposition or remove objects in your photos.
- Audio Magic Eraser: Intelligent noise reduction that can remove wind, crowd, and other distracting sounds from your videos.
- Magic Eraser: Easily remove unwanted objects or distractions from your photos.
- Night Sight: Google's groundbreaking low-light photography feature, enabling crisp and bright photos even in dim conditions.
- Photo Unblur: Improves the clarity and sharpness of photos that may have turned out blurry.
- Super Res Zoom: Delivers high-quality zoomed-in images using advanced algorithms, eliminating the need for optical zoom lenses.
Pixel 9a storage
On the RAM and storage fronts, things could change a bit. The Pixel 8a arrives with 8 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and two storage variants. The base model sports 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and there's another option with 256GB using the same technology (sadly no UFS 4.0). 8 gigs of RAM are expected for the Pixel 9a.
However, UFS 4.0 is what we're hoping for on the Pixel 9a, but only time (and Google) will tell if we should celebrate.
Pixel 9a storage capacity:
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
Pixel 9a design
So, we have a pretty good of what the Pixel 9a might look like thanks to the reliable X tipster OnLeaks and AndroidHeadlines.
The leaked renders of the Pixel 9a suggest it will follow the Pixel 8a as a top contender in the budget-friendly phone market, but the 9a will go on a different path. According to images of a pre-production model, the upcoming device will abandon the signature camera bar found on its predecessor.
Image credit – OnLeaks, AndroidHeadlines
In the renders circulating online, the Pixel 9a blends design elements from the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The prominent camera bar across the back of the Pixel 8a is gone, replaced by a camera island shaped like a Google search bar that sits flush with the back of the phone. The LED flash is now positioned outside of this new camera module.
There was another design leak earlier. At the end of August, 2024, the @VNchocoTaco X account posted the following, claiming to be the Pixel 9a:
Pixel 9a
— ShrimpApplePro ずっと真夜中でいいのに (@VNchocoTaco) August 26, 2024
Source: some random post on Facebook pic.twitter.com/y8jwaQM6Z8
The logo on the back looks familiar to many hardcore Google fans, so there you have it.
If this is indeed the Pixel 9a, the differences compared to the Pixel 8a are quite noticeable. The new smartphone appears significantly larger at first glance, though this could be due to perspective. It features relatively thin and nearly symmetrical bezels around a large screen, a flat and somewhat thick frame, and most notably, a new design for the camera system.
The Pixel 8a's distinctive rear camera visor might be replaced by a more subtle, smaller, and thinner dual-camera module, with an LED flash positioned separately to the side. This change could potentially make the Pixel 9a slimmer overall or allow for a larger battery without significantly increasing the device's thickness.
The upcoming mid-range Pixel phone running stock Android is rumored to have dimensions of 154.7mm in height, 73.3mm in width, and 8.9mm in depth. While these measurements differ slightly from the Pixel 8a, they don't represent a significant departure in design. It's expected weight is 185.9g.
The Pixel 9a is expected to be a bit taller and narrower compared to its predecessor.
As far as colors go, the Google Pixel 9a is set to launch with four color options, including the standard Porcelain and Obsidian. However, this year, the Aloe and Bay shades are being replaced by two new colors: Peony, which closely resembles the color option on the Pixel 9, and Iris, a soft bluish-purple tone.
So, the color quartet for the Pixel 9a looks like this:
- Porcelain
- Obsidian
- Peony
- Iris
Pixel 9a display
Here's where it starts to get interesting. The Pixel 6a, Pixel 7a and Pixel 8a all come with a 6.1-inch display that offers a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, a 20:9 ratio, and 431 PPI.
The Pixel 9a will likely come with a larger 6.3-inch display, aligning it with the premium Pixel 9 and 9 Pro models. This marks an upgrade from the 6.1-inch screens seen in its predecessors. The display is also rumored to deliver impressive brightness levels, reaching a peak of 2,700 nits and 1,800 nits for HDR content. For reference, the panel on the 8a also supports HDR and has an always-on option. For it, Google has bumped up the brightness and cites 1,400 nits of HDR brightness and up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness. According to Google, this is 40% brighter than the Pixel 7a.
The refresh rate should be 120Hz. The oldest of the three: the Pixel 6a delivers a refresh rate of 60Hz, then the 7a tops that with its 90Hz, while the current Pixel 8a shines with a 120Hz refresh rate. Pretty impressive.
Pixel 9a battery
The Pixel 9a could offer improved battery life with a rumored 5,100 mAh capacity, approximately 13% larger than the Pixel 8a's. This upgrade may result in longer usage between charges.
Wired charging speeds are said to increase slightly to 23W, while wireless charging remains at 7.5W, still without Qi2 support.
In return, the Pixel 8a packs a slightly larger battery than the Pixel 7a: a 4,492 mAh cell.
Pixel 9a features and software
The Pixel 9a will ship with Android 15 out of the box when it materializes. It will most likely share many of the stellar AI features that will debut on the flagship Pixel 9 line.
With the Pixel 8 series, Google introduced its own AI called Gemini (formerly Bard) and later the Big G company offered this AI magic on an "a" series device for the first time with the Pixel 8a.
Gemini can perform tasks like summarizing your recent emails or swiftly organizing your inbox, translate and transcribe stuff for you, use contextual Circle to Search, and many more. The Pixel 8a also features AI-powered Pixel Call Assist features, including Call Screen, Direct My Call, Hold for Me, Clear Calling, and more, ensuring seamless communication experiences.
A set of minimum Pixel 8a software features that are expected on the Pixel 9a:
Gemini can perform tasks like summarizing your recent emails or swiftly organizing your inbox, translate and transcribe stuff for you, use contextual Circle to Search, and many more. The Pixel 8a also features AI-powered Pixel Call Assist features, including Call Screen, Direct My Call, Hold for Me, Clear Calling, and more, ensuring seamless communication experiences.
A set of minimum Pixel 8a software features that are expected on the Pixel 9a:
- Face Unlock
- Direct my call
- Alt text
- Call Screen
- Hold for Me
- Clear Calling
- Wait times
- Live Translate
- Recorder Speaker Labels
- Assistant Voice Typing
- Voice Messaging Transcription
- At a Glance
- Gemini
Pixel 9a hardware and specs
The Pixel 9a will probably pack the fourth generation Tensor processor (Tensor G4). The first iterations of the chip were lagging behind the competition in terms of raw power, but with the Tensor G3,Google seems to have closed the gap a little.
If the Tensor G4 delivers enough power and the price of the Pixel 9a is half that of the Pixel 9 Pro, well, Google's flagship is going to get hurt (badly) once again.
However, the bad news is that the Pixel 9a might keep one of the worst problems of previous models.
While the Pixel 9a is expected to benefit from the upgraded Tensor G4 processor, similar to the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, but a recent report suggests it will retain the Exynos Modem 5300 from the Pixel 8 series.
On the plus side, this could help keep the price stable. However, it also means users may continue to face the same connectivity issues that have been reported with previous Pixel models. Google addressed these problems with the Pixel 9 flagship devices by upgrading to the Exynos Modem 5400, which even introduced a Satellite SOS feature for emergency communication in areas without service.
A nice addition is the Titan M2 security chip that should find its way here.
Should you wait for the Pixel 9a?
- You should wait for the Pixel 9a if you're planning on upgrading your phone at a point in the first three months of 2025. This banger could be the one for you, if you're an Android fan, if you love getting the maximum for your money, and if you're love taking photos with your mobile.
- You should not wait for the Pixel 9a if you've just bought a new phone that's in the mid-range (or above) category. The Pixel 9a could start at $500 (or more) and there's no point of spending that much cash on a phone that's still a mid-ranger at the end of the day. Also, if you dream of having a telephoto camera on your phone, you can pretty much forget about the Pixel 9a, as it won't offer such a snapper. For the telephoto fiesta, you need to buy the Pixel 9 Pro ticket...
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless