Google Pixel 9a: Long-Term Smartphone Review
The Pixel 9a was released in April 2025 and serves as Google's mid-range offering from their Pixel lineup. Featuring camera performance that punches above its modest £350 price point, is the Pixel 9a the perfect phone for budget-minded consumers, or is it worth spending a little more for its larger siblings? Let’s find out!
Design
The Pixel 9a features an aluminum frame with an 81% recycled plastic back. The plastic back is the only part of the 9a that doesn’t quite feel first-class, but the metal frame and tactile buttons make the device feel more premium than its price suggests.
The tiny, approximately 1mm camera bump is a welcome change, making typing while the device is lying flat a much more pleasant experience. The Pixel 9a features Gorilla Glass 3, which was first released in 2013. That’s a bit disappointing, especially considering that the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 both use Gorilla Glass Victus, which is four generations newer. However, the 9a is the first "a" model phone to feature an IP68 rating, making it water and dust resistant.
The Pixel 9a's 120Hz OLED screen is sharp and vibrant. At 6.3 inches, it’s fairly compact by today’s standards, making the phone easy to slip into your pocket. The only minor downside where the screen is concerned is its prominent bezels, but that’s easy to overlook given the overall package.
User Experience
The setup process was painless, and Google has done a great job reducing bloatware - a common issue with affordable phones.
Performance-wise, I’ve had no issues. Apps open quickly, and there’s no noticeable lag during daily tasks. I tested the Pixel 9a with demanding games like PUBG and War Thunder, and it maintained consistent frame rates on medium to high settings. The phone did get a bit warm, but it never became hot to the touch or caused concern.
I'm generally not a big fan of AI features, and the 9a offers fewer AI tools compared to the Pixel 9 due to its lower 8GB of RAM. That's actually a plus for me, but potential buyers should keep it in mind. There is one AI feature I've used a few times, which is holding the centre home button and swiping up to get information about highlighted images or text - a handy addition.
Camera
Pixels are renowned for their camera performance, and the 9a continues that tradition. It sports a dual-camera system with a 48-megapixel main sensor and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The front-facing camera is also 13 megapixels. The main camera’s megapixels have been reduced from 64 on the previous model, the Pixel 8a, and the sensor size has also been reduced. However, the wider aperture of f/1.7 (compared to f/1.9 on the 8a) might help offset that slightly.
Photos taken with the Pixel 9a are well-balanced, and the camera app runs smoothly with no delay between photos. However, the lack of a telephoto lens might disappoint some potential buyers.
Click here for sample photos
The 9a has many smart camera features, including modes such as long exposure, portrait, night, and panorama. There's also a fun “Add Me” mode, which helps you and your friends appear together in group photos. It works by taking multiple pictures and combining them so everyone is in the same shot.
Video capabilities include 4K at 60 fps, slow motion, and time-lapse. There’s also a Pan mode that crops in to help with smooth panning shots — though I’m not sure how often most consumers will use this feature. I've generally been happy with the video footage captured in well-lit areas, but the 9A struggles in low light, resulting in noisy videos with noticeably worse stabilisation.
Overall, the cameras on the 9a are some of the best at this price point. That said, there’s not a huge difference compared to previous Pixel models. Flagship phones from iPhone and Samsung still deliver superior results, but at less than half the price, the 9a is a true bargain.
Any Complaints?
My only real disappointment with the Pixel 9a is its subpar speakers and the absence of a headphone jack. While the phone performs well overall, it’s worth noting that budget phones from brands like Honor or Xiaomi often cater to markets where people rely on their phone as their primary entertainment device. These brands tend to focus on features that improve media playback, including better speakers, even if it means cutting back on internal hardware or security updates. So, if you listen to music around the house or use an aux cable regularly, this is something to keep in mind.
During the first few days of ownership, I noticed the battery would drain overnight, but this issue resolved itself after some time—likely due to smart battery-saving features. In all other aspects, battery life has been solid, easily lasting a full day with average use.
Conclusion
My experience with the Google Pixel 9a has been a positive one. Its smart software, smooth performance, and impressive camera capabilities make it easy to recommend. Supported by one of the largest names in tech, Google offers security updates until 2032, making this device a smart long-term investment for budget-conscious consumers.
Is the Pixel 9a the perfect phone for budget-minded consumers, or is it worth spending a little more for its larger siblings? Let’s find ou
