Google Pixel 9a review in 10 points: More phone for less price

India Today

25-04-2025

India Today Tech Google Pixel 9a review is out, and it's all good news for Pixel fans, those who've been waiting patiently for Google to release a true value package. Remember, Google has been making these phones for years now, but it is only now – in 2025 – that it has finally hit the sweet spot. They say good things come to those who wait and 9a proves it. Everything from the design scheme to display, power (and efficiency), to the camera, has been upgraded, mostly for the better. And – this is the most important part – the price has come down significantly over the last generation.advertisementWhile our review talks in depth about the many pros and some cons of the Google Pixel 9a, in this report, we will try and give you a more condensed – TL; DR – version for those who prefer things short and crisp. Hopefully, this should help you make an informed decision about what to expect from the phone, just in case you've been eying it or even if you're just browsing. Without any further ado, here's our Google Pixel 9a review in 10 quick points:
Pixel a-series legacy finally matures: The Pixel 9a is Google's most compelling a-series Pixel to date. After years of being almost good enough, this version finally feels ready to stand tall on its own. All the previous models, including last year's Pixel 8a, came with asterisks, be it price, less than ideal specs, or simply lack of polish. The 9a offers a more complete package in every sense of the word.
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New design - For better or worse: Google has removed its hallmark camera visor, a design shift that, while refreshing, may not be to everyone's liking, especially if you are a long-time Pixel fan. The upside is, there is no camera bump whatsoever, resulting in a chassis – which is made of plastic and metal - that is more streamlined than before. The build is solid. The overall footprint is like the relatively more premium Pixel 9.
Bigger, brighter display: The 9a gets a 6.3-inch p-OLED display that brings a lot to the table. It is sharp, fast and smooth, and delivers impressive brightness of up to 2700 nits in HBM (high brightness mode) and 1800 nits in HDR, the same as the Pixel 9. That said, the bezels are quite chunky, and the fingerprint scanner is optical, not ultrasonic, reminding you of the phone's budget roots.
Tensor G4 power, shared with Pixel flagships: The Pixel 9a is powered by the same Tensor G4 chip as Google's top-tier Pixel 9-series phones. This is a big deal for a phone that's trying to cater to the mass-market. The focus is largely on ensuring your everyday interactions are faster and fluid, rather than blindly chasing benchmark scores. Performance is reliable.
The best battery yet in a Pixel: The Pixel 9a bags a massive 5100mAh battery, the largest ever in a Pixel phone. You can expect 4–5 hours more battery life than the Pixel 9 and almost as much endurance as the larger Pixel 9 Pro XL with LTPO display. Charging speeds are reasonable: 23W wired and 7.5W wireless, though slower than the Pixel 9's 27W/15W setup.
advertisementUpgraded primary camera: Google continues to shine in the camera department with the Pixel 9a. Its new 48-megapixel primary sensor with f/1.7 aperture and OIS (optical image stabilisation) captures highly detailed, dynamic shots even in low light. The classic 'cool and contrasty' Pixel look is alive, a clear sign that Google has given it the same level of attention as its more powerful devices.
Secondary cameras fall behind: While the main camera impresses, the ultrawide and selfie cameras aren't quite as exciting. The 13-megapixel f/2.2 ultrawide is the same as the Pixel 8a's and feels a bit dated, especially now that other Pixel 9 phones use 48-megapixel ultrawide sensors. Similarly, the 13-megapixel front camera is fine in bright conditions but lacks sharpness in challenging light. These are not deal-breakers, but they do highlight where Google could do better in the next iteration.
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AI smarts: The Pixel 9a supports the majority of Google's latest AI features, from call screening to Magic Eraser, smart suggestions, and Pixel Studio. Gemini is at the heart of most of these breakthroughs, and they work well enough. Some high-end AI features like Pixel Screenshots are missing, likely due to RAM constraints (the 9a has 8GB RAM). Be that as it may, the 9a still offers the richest AI experience of any phone in this price range.
Value that finally makes sense: At Rs 49,999 for the 256GB model, the Pixel 9a undercuts its predecessor Pixel 8a by Rs 10,000 while offering meaningful upgrades. It's more phone for less money is how we described it in our full review.
Verdict: The Pixel 9a is undoubtedly the most balanced of all the Pixel a-series phones ever made. It is not perfect, but it has finally crossed the point where Pixel fans can get behind it and say with some assurance that this is what they have always wanted – a no-compromise phone that is worth buying without any asterisks.