Google Pixel 9a review: why it is the surprise of 2025 for me

I’ve rarely been as hyped about a new device as I was about the Google Pixel 9a. In my opinion, Google has built the best smartphone design ever with it. On top of that come a top processor, a strong display, current AI features, a first-rate camera in daylight and a huge battery. The Pixel 9a was provided to me by Google as a loan device.

Design: handy and without a camera bump

The Pixel 9a has 6.3 inches, flat edges, rounded corners, a matte aluminum frame and a plastic back that feels high-quality. The device is really light. The camera disappears completely into the body, and a camera bump no longer exists. For many people, the display bezels are too thick. At least they are symmetrical now, and with so many good specs, I don’t really care.

For the first time since I started testing Pixel devices, I don’t find the price exaggerated: €549 RRP is no more than other smartphones cost right now. A week after launch, the device was already available for around €520.

Pixel 9a compared to Pixel 9 and 9 Pro

The differences from the two more expensive models are marginal. The Pixel 9a is 0.4 mm thicker because the camera disappears completely into the body. At 5,100 mAh, the battery is much larger than on the other two and even larger than on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Those are two points where the budget variant is better than the supposed flagships.

Processor and AI

The Pixel 9a has Google’s own Tensor G4, just like the more expensive models. It has pretty much all the AI features that come with Google AI and Gemini. I know the benchmarks of the Tensor G4, especially compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. What matters more to me is what I experience in everyday use, and there the device runs buttery smooth and without stutters. If you play a lot, you are better off with a current Galaxy smartphone.

In photo editing, there are two new features, best take and reimagine. Things like video and night sight video as well as zoom enhancement are missing. I’ve never used those.

Battery and charging

With the large battery and the efficient processor, battery life is much better than on the predecessor. With 4 to 5 hours of screen time a day, I get almost through a day and a half, a bit less if I’m not constantly on Wi-Fi or using the camera all the time. That is the best battery life a Pixel has had so far.

Charging brings you back down to earth: 23 watts wired and 7.5 watts wireless. That isn’t fast, and cheaper POCO smartphones charge much faster. There is no reverse wireless charging.

Camera

Here there are compromises compared to the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro:

• Main camera: 48 megapixels instead of 50.
• Ultrawide: 13 megapixels instead of 48.
• Telephoto lens: none. Only the Pixel 9 Pro has that.
• Selfie camera: 13 megapixels, but without autofocus.
• Zoom: We don’t need to talk about the eight-times digital zoom compared to the Pro.

In the age of AI, though, the megapixel count no longer says anything about quality. Whatever I shoot, it usually looks great in the end because Google’s AI does a really good job. It improves the resolution and optimizes the overall image, not in a bad way.

Display, glass and speakers

The display panel is the best I know in this price range. It is sharp, high-contrast and gets really bright at 2,700 nits. For the display glass, however, Google used Corning Gorilla Glass 3, a technology from 2013. The Pixel 9 and 9 Pro have the current, sturdier Gorilla Glass Victus 2. With the 9a, I would definitely get a screen protector and Google’s official case, which I also think is awesome.

The speakers get loud, but at the peak they are rather unpleasant. The highs are very bright and have little depth. I use headphones anyway. The fingerprint scanner sits quite high up, which I find okay on a compact device. It works extremely fast, but it is only optical and therefore less secure than an ultrasonic scanner.

Verdict

I experienced the Pixel 9a as an incredibly modern smartphone that fits perfectly in the hand, with a very good camera, a strong processor, great AI features and outstanding battery life. The design without a camera bump, the colors and the low weight won me over. Next to that, a missing telephoto lens, slow charging and display glass from the last decade take a back seat for me. As a handy smartphone at this price, the Pixel 9a is almost unbeatable for me. Seven years of updates come with it too, even on the budget version.