Google’s Pixel 9a Could Be On...

For some people around the world, it may feel like spring. For us in Gadget Land, it’s “affordable” phone season. Last month, we had Apple’s iPhone 16e make a grand entrance with its $600 offering of all the best parts of the iPhone 16 for a less eye-popping price. This month, it’s Google’s turn with the Pixel 9a. For $500, you get a Google device with all the best parts of the Pixel 9 (plus all that Gemini stuff Google wants you to use). It should remain be one of the best deals in Android land, especially if you’re after a cheaper phone with more-than-decent camera capabilities.

The Pixel 9a looks a little different from last year’s Pixel 8a. The corners aren’t as rounded and instead match that iPhone-like style the rest of the Pixel 9 family adopted. It’s boring until you consider the Pixel 9a shines in design in all the places Apple’s diehard fans wish the iPhone 16e did. The Pixel 9a comes in four colorways, two more than the iPhone 16e. The colors include black, white, a stark pink called Peony, and a super gorgeous purple shade—my favorite—called Iris. The rest of the phone chassis matches the color of the backside. There are also matching cases to keep the colorway intact, though Google lauds this as the “most durable A-series phone yet.” The Pixel 9a is also IP68-rated for dust and water resistance.

The display on the Pixel 9a is the same size as the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. It’s a 6.3-inch Actua display with a 20:9 aspect ratio. There’s still a 120Hz display to boast here, like last year’s Pixel 8a, with up to 2,700 nits peak brightness if you need it in direct sunlight. It’s nice to see that Google can use such a good display in a mid-range phone. Previously, the best was Samsung with its mid-range A-series. I still prefer the deep blacks of Samsung’s AMOLED, but Google’s Actua displays have significantly improved—and impressed.

The Pixel 9a’s internal hardware remains a solid deal for its price. It’s powered by the same Google Tensor G4 processor inside the rest of the Pixel 9 series and 8GB of RAM. There’s a hefty 5,000 mAh battery in there, which seems to be the standard offering among mid-range Android devices trying to offer an edge. Google promises up to 30 hours of battery life on a charge, a little more than Apple promises with the iPhone 16e. It’ll be interesting to see which one lasts the longest.

Google says the Pixel 9a’s camera design was inspired by “nature” and “water droplets.” I don’t see it. Instead, what I see is a rear-facing camera configuration that’s quite similar to the iPhone 16e. Look at the back! They’re both single cameras staring you on. The camera on the Pixel 9a is a 48-MP sensor—like on the iPhone 16e!—with macro focus capabilities. But it also has the Pixel’s camera algorithm magic, including AI-led features like Add Me, which I still haven’t successfully used to add myself to a photo.

It’s interesting to compare the abilities of the Google Pixel 9a and what Apple is offering with the iPhone 16e this year. Each is offering a less-pricey smartphone bundled with each brand’s best features—camera algorithms for Google and a ticket to access the walled garden for Apple. The price difference between the two devices is about $100, with the iPhone 16e requiring that “Apple tax.” Only you can decide if it’s worth the extra cash.

But you should wait for the review of the Pixel 9a first. Google did not let us paw with the software on the phones I got hands-on with. However, I was able to take a picture of some grapes on a plate with the 9a’s new camera. The camera app felt just as responsive as the Pixel 9 Pro, my daily driver, but all smartphones feel amazing within the first few moments of handling them. It’s after you bog them down with apps, data, and drama that it truly shows its colors. If you want to take a spin, the Pixel 9a will be available in April at $500 from the Google Store and other retailers. Stay tuned for our review.