Google simply launched the Pixel 9a, the newest smartphone within the Pixel 9 household.
The Pixel 9a is the brand new “budget” mannequin within the Pixel 9 era of smartphones which already consisted of the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Professional, and Pixel 9 Professional XL.
With the Pixel 9a being the brand new entry-level smartphone for the Pixel line, Mashable checked out the way it stacks up towards the Pixel 9 base mannequin telephone.
Astonishingly, Google has packed lots into the Pixel 9a, which is able to make it almost indistinguishable from the Pixel 9 for quite a lot of Pixel customers. Nevertheless, there are some key variations that could possibly be the deciding issue when selecting which Pixel telephone to purchase.
Listed here are these key variations between the Pixel 9a and Pixel 9.
Google Pixel 9a
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Pixel 9a vs Pixel 9: Value
The obvious distinction between the Google Pixel 9a and Pixel 9 is the worth.
At $499, the Pixel 9a is the bottom priced of Google’s present Pixel line of telephones. Compared, the Pixel 9 base mannequin begins at $799.
That is a $300 distinction between the units. Sure, as we’ll get to, the Pixel 9 does have just a few options and parts that consider right here and provides it the higher hand. Nevertheless, if these particular issues do not matter to you, shoppers can now purchase a model new Pixel telephone for lower than $500 with the Pixel 9a.
Pixel 9a vs Pixel 9: Reminiscence
In relation to technical specs, the Pixel 9a packs numerous energy in a $499 gadget. The truth is, the Pixel 9a is powered by the identical highly effective Google Tensor G4 processor that is discovered within the Pixel 9.
The Tensor G4 was made with AI in thoughts, so the Pixel 9a and Pixel 9 can each deal with fairly intensive processes.
Nevertheless, in terms of reminiscence, the Pixel 9 has 12GB of RAM and the Pixel 9a solely has 8GB of RAM.
Mashable Gentle Velocity
For most simple, on a regular basis duties, customers possible will not discover a lot of a distinction. Particularly, when you think about that each telephones have the identical processor.
Nevertheless, energy customers will very possible discover a distinction. The extra reminiscence a smartphone has, the higher it handles multitasking and apps working within the background. When that is factored in, customers will possible expertise a smoother general efficiency with the Pixel 9. Should you typically carry out different reminiscence intensive duties like video enhancing or enjoying video games, the Pixel 9 will possible present a noticeable efficiency increase over the Pixel 9a too.

Google Pixel 9
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Pixel 9a vs Pixel 9: Digicam
Take numerous photos? Digicam high quality is one other space the place the Pixel 9 shall be preferable over the brand new Pixel 9a. The Pixel 9 gives a major increase in picture high quality primarily based on the sensors used within the gadget.
The Pixel 9a has a 48 MP extensive and 13 MP ultrawide digital camera whereas the Pixel 9 comes with a 50 MP extensive and 48MP ultrawide digital camera. The latter will produce increased decision photos.
If photographs and movies are a significant factor in your buying determination, you may possible wish to go along with the 9.
Pixel 9a vs Pixel 9: Design
There aren’t simply variations within the picture high quality between the Pixel 9a and Pixel 9. There’s additionally a serious distinction within the bodily digital camera design themselves.
The Pixel 9 telephone has a digital camera bar on the again of the telephone with a major sized digital camera bump. The bump is roughly one-third as thick because the Pixel 9 itself.
The Pixel 9a, nonetheless, is exclusive in that it has a flat again design. There isn’t a digital camera bump. The Pixel 9a can really lay flat on its again towards any flat floor.

Google Pixel 9a flat again design
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
This will likely or will not be an enormous deal for you. Nevertheless, the scale of the Pixel 9’s digital camera bump was a serious level of criticism for some Pixel customers when the telephone was launched final yr. Should you fall in that group, the Pixel 9a may be the smartphone for you.
Pixel 9a vs Pixel 9: Show and Battery Charging
We have laid out the largest variations between the Pixel 9a and Pixel 9, however there are just a few different important variations between the 2 units that we must always point out too.
For instance, most customers might not discover a distinction within the show when each units. Each are constructed with a 6.3-inch Actua show. Nevertheless, the Pixel 9’s show makes use of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cowl glass, which is claimed to be more durable and extra drop and scratch resistant than different cowl glass. The Pixel 9a makes use of the older and thinner Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

Google Pixel 9 digital camera bump
Credit score: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
One other space the place the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9a differ is in terms of quick charging instances. Whereas each Pixel telephones boast greater than 24 hours of battery life, the Pixel 9 can cost sooner than the Pixel 9a. The Pixel 9 has quick charging charges of 27 watts whereas the Pixel 9a has a charge of 23 watts when charged with a Google 45W USB-C charger plugged right into a wall.
Pixel 9a vs Pixel 9: Verdict
As ordinary, it actually comes all the way down to your preferences.
Do you play numerous video games and carry out a major quantity of video enhancing duties in your smartphone? Do you multitask and sometimes have numerous apps working on the similar time? Do you are taking numerous photographs? If that’s the case, the Pixel 9 might be the very best wager.
However, for those who’re extra like the common smartphone person, it can save you $300 and get all the identical options because the costlier Pixel 9 fashions with the Pixel 9a. Oh, additionally for those who hate digital camera bumps then the Pixel 9a is unquestionably the smartphone for you.