For those who want the magic of Pixel smartphones—in most cases, that means a very reliable camera and amazing software—the company’s “a” devices provide an amazing way to get that for cheap. They come with the same chips and primary cameras as the mainline, opting to cut costs in other departments.
The Google Pixel 9 series launched some months ago, which means that the first Pixel launch of 2025 will be the Google Pixel 9a. If you’ve been considering getting one for your next phone, here’s a sneak peek into the whole spec list of the next budget Pixel.
The Google Pixel 9a’s Spec Sheet Isn’t Too Bad For 2025’s Budget Pixel
The Google Pixel 9a is the next device that we expect to see from the search giant turned tech giant, and thanks to Android Headlines, we have an early look at what to expect from its spec sheet.
First, let’s focus on performance. As expected, the Google Tensor G4, the latest option, will be in the cockpit. The phone will have the options of 128GB or 256GB storage, both on the UFS 3.1 standard. You’ll be making do with 8GB of RAM and the Titan M2 security chip will be present. The battery will be a 5,100mAh cell with support for 23W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging.
For the display, it’ll be a 6.285-inch Actua Display with 2,700-nit peak brightness and Gorilla Glass 3 on top. Sure, that’s older, but older Gorilla Glass prioritized scratch resistance over shatter resistance, so if your phone rarely drops, you might prefer this. The primary camera will be a 48MP unit paired with a 13MP ultrawide; the selfie shooter will be that same 13MP unit.
The Google Pixel 9a Is Only A Little Less Premium Than The Google Pixel 9
As part of the Google Pixel 9 lineup, it is only natural that the Google Pixel 9a gets compared to the Pixel 9, so let’s run through that real quick.
For the price that the 9a is going to come at, it is natural that it will have a less premium build. For one, the back will be made of plastic and the device will be larger in all dimensions. It’ll maintain IP68 certification though. The screen is essentially identical and so are the storage options, though it gets only 8GB of RAM as opposed to 12GB. The camera setup is inferior on paper, but hopefully not by much.
You get a larger battery with the Pixel 9a, though wired charging is slightly slower and wireless charging is half as slow. The underdisplay fingerprint reader will remain optical on the Pixel 9a, instead of ultrasonic. You’re not losing out on too much, which is good.
However, It Is A Noticeable Step Up From The Google Pixel 8a
When comparing the Google Pixel 9a to its predecessor, the Google Pixel 8a, there are a lot more improvements to be pointed out. The water resistance improves, the screen gets bigger and brighter, it gets a newer chip, and despite a lower resolution, the camera should be better. You also get a much larger battery with faster wired charging. That’s a lot of good.
Considering that the Google Pixel 9a is rumored to be the exact same price as the Pixel 8a was when it launched, $499 for the 128GB configuration, I think this device might be a hit, especially with AI built in from the start.
