Google Pixel 9A’s New Design Might Raise Eyebrows, but the Price Is Right

Note the editor: Pixel 9 is now in stores. Confirm Read Review at CNET Pixel 9The

There are big shoes to fill the newly announced Google Pixel 9. Affordable phone is a follow -up of one of my favorite phones from the 2024 Pixel 8A, which has earned the Choice Award for CNET editors. In Pixel 8, Google features, battery life, long -term software support and a sweet spot in terms of overall quality. Fortunately, on paper, Pixel 9 looks like upgrade in almost every way in Pixel 8 last year.

However, Pixel 9 has added a facial pressure to the face, because its introduction comes to Apple’s “affordable” phone, $ 599 on the heels of 16E. The new iPhone sells one of the cheap Apple, still out of $ 500 sweet spot that manages to hit the best affordable phones. Fortunately, Google has not followed Apple and Pixel 9A has been priced at $ 499 (£ 499, AU $ 849), which it reaches more for more strong budget people, especially US tariffs holds holds and make the cost of the products higher.

I used for about half an hour in Pixel 9 and I was fascinated by the build (it feels incredibly strong) and its new design aspects. I really like that Pixel 9A is almost completely flat behind it. However, there is a lack of unique camera bar found in the rest of the pixel 9 series on the phone, at least reduces the Pixel-Ness of Pixel 9A in at least in the presence. Otherwise, on the screen and below the hood, it is as much as the pixel comes.

Google Store at Pixel 9 and retailers starting from April 10.

See it: First look: Google got a large battery and new design at Pixel 9

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Designed at Pixel 9

Pixel 9 looks different than models in the recent Pixel. Pixel 9A’s Pixel 9A’s Pixel 8A has a flat side instead of the bends instead of the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. However, Google’s design method on Pixel 9 challenged the border of minimum. The back of the phone is almost completely flat, the camera’s bump is just stuck in a hair. When I’m running my finger behind my nail camera is caught on the lips of the bump, but not too much.

Pixel 9 A 2025 is a rarity: it can put completely flat on a table or desk. It doesn’t tremble, though Pixel 9 and 9 Pro are not shaking with the camera bar. However, the flat design of Pixel 9A is taken to the next level. And I am all in the flat design of Pixel 9A.

However, the lack of the camera bar seems a bit like miss, because I have always thought it is apparently attractive on the previous Google phones. The bar helped distinguish the pixel from other brand handsets. And although most people will rarely see in Pixel 9 in their birthday suit, instead of choosing the option to wear it in any case, Pixel 9 looks more generic than the eye.

Google went to the tog-off-battle between the form and function and as a result, a device made at Pixel 9 is the most durable pixel. 81% of the back is made from recycling plastic. I know some people will roll their eyes because of plastic, but it is good to see it when I lift it and still feels Feel and it probably helps to reduce the cost. The phone has an IP 68 rating to prevent water dust (compared with the IP 67 rating of Pixel 8), which means it can be submerged in water for 30 minutes.

Pixel 9 is available in four colors: Obcidian, porcelain, penny and iris. Personally, I really liked the color of iris.

The Pixel 9A’s Pixel 8A is almost identical (it is a scosu tall) is a 6.3-inch display on a body, with a 6.1-inch display. The flames of the display are 2,700 knots, which is a great step from the screen of 8A, which can hit 2,000 knits. So it would be interesting to see how its screen looks outside, especially in some bright California sunlight. On the paper, the screen looks like one of the regular Pixel 9.

Camera at Pixel 9

In the case of photography, Pixel 9A has a 48-megapixel main camera and a 13-megapixel ultodode. The new main camera supports Google’s macro focus, which means you can get closer to your subject – think like a meal picture – and it may be focused. In fact, Google performs it with the original camera without using the ultrawide camera like many other phones.

As a resolution, the 48-megapixel main camera of Pixel 9A is one step down from the 64-megapixel main camera in Pixel 8A. However, more megapixels are not necessarily better, as Google high-megapixel came out of its photography on other phones with high-megapixel cameras proved to have been risking its software for years.

Also, the more expensive Pixel 9A of Pixel 9A has a memorialbard of AI Goodies found in 9 and 9 Pro, such as the best portrait for Better Tech, Magic Editor for removal of photos, night visits for low-light photos and more. 9 has added me to, which uses AR and AI to add a group of photographers to photos. I’ve added my Pixel 9 Pro several times and have always been fascinated with the results.

The phones at the previous pixel have always had a hard B camera that exceeded its price. I don’t think the shooters of Pixel 9A will be as good as Pixel 9 or 9 Pro, but I’m glad to see how they retain, especially with the new 48-megapixel sensor.

Performance and battery at Pixel 9

Google’s Tensor G4 chip is driven on Pixel 9, it is found on Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. This means it can support Google AI features and jewelery. Significantly, Pixel 9 brings 8GB RAM instead of 12 GB found in Pixel 9 and 16GB on 9 Pro. But with low RAM, Google guarantees the seven -year -old Android OS and security updates in Pixel 9 (It comes out of the running box on Android 15).

Although the Tenner G4 chip count or graphics did not win any award for his performance in the benchmark exam, we thought it was enough to test it at Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. It was playing games, stupidly scrolling news and social feeds or simply editing any photos, the G4 chip performs well on daily use regularly. I hope the same thing happens if you get a test on Pixel 9.

In the case of power, Google says that Pixel 9A has the largest battery on any pixel on any pixel. When I saw the battery capacity listed as 5,100 mAh, I double-cheek that I didn’t read glasses for Samsung’s new Galaxy phones in MW. Technically, Pixel 9A’s battery is larger than any of Samsung’s new phone, which has $ 1,300 Galaxy S25 ultra.

Final thought at Pixel 9 now

In all other things, Pixel 9A has all the pixel features that you want to expect: to access and share from theft protection and family links) to Google services like Gmail and Map. Surprisingly, the new phone does not get the satellite SOS connection like the rest of the Pixel 9 -line, but it is always necessary to compromise to help keep the price low.

Pixel 9 is either 128 GB or 256 GB of storage, Google One’s three months, YouTube premium three months and six months of fit premium. I am looking forward to spending more time to test Pixel 9 for the full review, once I can get my hand on it.