Pixel 9a release date expectations, price estimates, and upgrades
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Google Pixel 9a: when will this phone materialize? What's the price going to be like… and is it going to be a bang for your buck?
These are all legitimate questions.
So far, nothing is off the table… but almost nothing (apart from a sketchy leak) is on the table, as well.
It's the mighty potent Pixel 8a's supposed successor, unless the 8a goes down in history as the last phone in the Google Pixel "a" series.
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.
It's about time we got some more early information about the 9a – after all, it's Google we're talking about here! They're notoriously at keeping Pixel things secret.
For example, the Pixel 8a, which was unveiled on May 7, 2024, was first brought to our attention in August 2023. I expect Pixel 9a-related rumors to start popping up in the coming weeks and months.
Since there is not much information available, it's best to take a look at the Pixel 8a and the Pixel 7a (and the Pixel 9) to build our expectations for the Pixel 9a accordingly.
Jump to section:
Pixel 9a release date
The Pixel 9a has slim to none chance of being released in 2024: if Google was set to release its next big budget-friendly phone this year, there would have been numerous leaks. It's the tradition: Google is notoriously bad at keeping things secret and the public knows pretty much everything there is to know months in advance. Given that we're heading towards the end of the Summer, we can safely scratch a potential late 2024 release.
However, if the Pixel 9a is thing in 2025, it may come earlier than expected. That's because the Pixel 8a 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).
| Device family | Announcement | Market release |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel 9a | Late April/May of 2025* | May 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 128GB base models here and if the Pixel 9a starts straight from 256GB, 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?
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. If that happens in the first place. But we should keep our spirits high.
| 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!
If we're to take a look back at the Pixel 8a, we can predict that the Pixel 9a will probably feature two cameras on its back and one selfie snapper. They could be these:
- The 64MP Wide camera: The Pixel 9a could inherint it from the Pixel 8a, which got it from its predecessor, the Pixel 7a. The main camera boasts a 1/1.73" 64MP sensor with a 0.8 μm pixel size, housed under a lens with an f/1.89 aperture and an 80-degree field of view. Utilizing Quad-Bayer technology, it combines four pixels into one, enhancing low-light sensitivity.
- The 13MP 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.
- The 13MP Front camera: The front camera on the 9a 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.
Despite these hardware similarities, the Pixel 8a's camera – and the Pixel 9a, potentially – is enhanced by the recently introduced Gemini AI, enabling a suite of impressive features:
- 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 8GB 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).
It's exactly UFS 4.0 that we're hoping for on the Pixel 9a, but only time (and Google) will tell. As far as the storage options, I won't be surprised if we're to get the Pixel 9a with a 512GB variant this time around. If that happens to be the case, you can kiss the 128GB starting model goodbye.
Pixel 8a storage capacity:
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
Pixel 9a storage capacity:
- 127 GB
- 256 GB
- 512 GB (no evidence, but it won't be a surprise)
Pixel 9a design
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.
However, I'm not yet buying this leak and I'm not sure if we're going to see a vastly different device next year – that's because the latest Pixel "a" phone (namely, the Pixel 8a) came in 2024 with a refreshed design. It has rounded corners and sides. The camera bar is present on its back, as are the vibrant colors with even more vibrant names. There's Gorilla Glass 3 on the back and front of the phones, and an aluminum frame holds this glass sandwich together.
Pixel 9a display
Here's where it starts to get interesting. The Pixel 6a, 7a and 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.
However, their refresh rates are not on the same page. 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.
The panel on the 8a also supports HDR and has an always-on option. Google has bumped up the brightness and now 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.
Having said all that, we should expect the Pixel 9a to continue this tradition and to come with an even more impressive panel to gaze at.
Pixel 9a battery
This is another field that we should see increased numbers: the battery! The Pixel 8a packs a slightly larger battery (than the 7a): a 4,492 mAh cell. Google claims that this provides over 24 hours of battery life and up to 72 hours with Extended Battery Saver mode.
However, a couple of hundred additional mAh figures won't do harm at all.
For charging, the Pixel 9a will probably support up to 18W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging, consistent what the Pixel 8a and 7a. Which is a shame, given that Chinese brands offer charging speeds north of 50W, even 100W.
Pixel 9a features and software
The Pixel 9a will ship with Android 15 out of the box, if it ever 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.
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 six 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...
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