Google Pixel 9a

[limmk]

hopefully they don't try to match price

That would be a disaster. hope Google stays reasonable loh

 

[limmk]

 

[samferguson]

Hoot .....

 

[8-lane]

The bezels... oh my oh my...

 

[samferguson]

Ok lah used to large bezels, I will take it.

 

[Shutterbox]

I thinking this or nothing 3a pro

 

[anthonygreenisreal]

I thinking this or nothing 3a pro

Nothing 3a pro looks more promising

 

[limmk]

We’ve had Pixel phones leak in the back of rideshares and various forms of public transit, but the latest pre-release look at the Pixel 9a comes from a separate leak about the Galaxy S25 Edge.

Someone on YouTube posted a “Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Camera Samples” Short today. The video has since been removed, but for a few seconds we randomly saw a black — presumably “Obsidian” — Pixel 9a.

We saw the back of the 2025 mid-ranger, with the “G” logo confirming that this is final hardware rather than a prototype, like in September’s leak.

It might just be the zoom-level (or the quality of Samsung’s early hardware/software) and bad lighting, but the chamfered edge between the side rail and back plate seems a bit more pronounced — if not flatter and larger/wider — than the retail renders that have previously emerged.

Meanwhile, this short clip provides a good look at the pill-shaped camera and its minimal bump. (The flash cutout looks rather large next to it.)

This leak-ception is certainly unexpected as the rumored Pixel 9a launch nears.

 

[KeYoKe]

Google Pixel 9a: Rumors and everything we want to see​

I want to see tsmc fabbed tensor

 

[limmk]

There isn’t much we don’t know about the Pixel 9a, but over the past couple of days, a few more leaks—including a hands-on video—have showcased just what the hardware will look like when it launches. The downside is that the Pixel 9a looks a lot cheaper than its predecessors.

We have yet to learn when Google will officially launch the upcoming Pixel 9a, but if the previous leaks and rumors are accurate, it’ll follow a tried-and-tested formula by offering the best of the current-gen flagship hardware in a more affordable package. That includes the Tensor G4 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, a 120Hz OLED screen, plus the key software that makes the Pixel phones popular.

To do so, some changes have to be made to keep the price lower. Ordinarily, this means that some areas, like the chassis or frame, are made from cheaper materials. Well, the latest hands-on leak was shared in a now-removed video but is still visible in a Thread post by site friend Shane Craig. The very brief clip showcases where some of the changes have been made, and they appear to have been made all over the hardware this year. You can see the video below:



While we don’t get to see the Pixel 9a display, this Obsidian model’s rear panel looks very cheap compared to the 7a and 8a. Those handsets also had some material changes but didn’t look as such. That said, a follow-up post from Craig screenshotting the original poster clarifies that despite looking cheap, the Pixel 9a has a very “Nokia Lumia” plastic aesthetic, which feels good in the hand.

It could simply be the camera bar change and odd plastic rings look vastly different to the old camera bar design we’ve seen on the past three Pixel A-series phones. It looks like a plastic ring while the matte finish is more in line with the current generation.

Let us know what you think of the design now that we’re judging the physical hardware rather than leaked renders down in the comments section. Personally, I’ll save full judgment until we get the opportunity to test drive in person, but it still doesn’t look that great from where I’m sitting. At least we might not have long to wait as the device is rumored to launch in late March.

 

[limmk]

Ahead of its upcoming launch, another set of wallpapers allegedly coming with the Pixel 9a have surfaced, this time with some more colors.

Didn’t the Pixel 9a wallpapers already leak? Indeed they did, back in October 2024. Those are the same wallpapers we’ve seen in leaks over the past few weeks, but they’re apparently not the only set coming with the device.

Android Authority obtained a second set of wallpapers that they claim will be coming with the Pixel 9a, and they’re a bit of a departure from Google’s recent options. Where most Pixel wallpapers have been color-matched to the devices, this new collection has some more unique color combos and a more abstract look. There are some blurs and streaks, but you can still tell that they are of flower petals. The color combos are also quite nice as a change of pace.

Meanwhile, the original set more closely matches the four colors of the Pixel 9a, including pink, purple, and black and white inspired wallpapers.

Both sets (including their dark mode counterparts) are available for download in full resolution if you’d like to use them on your current device.

Pixel 9a will reportedly launch in March.

 

[limmk]

Thanks to lots of information being drip-fed over the past few months, we have a fairly good summation of what to expect from the Google Pixel 9a, but here’s why you should wait for it to arrive before picking up a new phone.



Google has yet to tell the world when the Pixel 9a will be unveiled. There is unlikely to be a huge fanfare around this launch, especially as per rumors; it’s going to fall before I/O in late May 2025, which has provided the usual launchpad for previous generations.

Using the Pixel 9 and previous A-series launches as a yardstick; we’re waiting and expecting some of the AI functions that are currently exclusive to the 9 series to make the jump down to this more affordable handset. No leaks have been able to confirm any of our suspicions, but we’re hopeful that some functions like Pixel Screenshots, Pixel Weather, and Reimagine will come to the midranger.

Another notable is the switch to the new boxy design. However, there is going to be a spin on the camera bar. Hands-on videos have showcased a return to a flat backplate. That means the camera cutout is effectively flush with the rear panel. There is a glossy ring around the camera cutout, so the Pixel 9a will retain some of the 9 series design language but without the key camera hallmark. It also looks like the 9a will have glossy side rails and a matte backplate and is expected to weigh just over 2g less than the Pixel 8a.

We’d expect it to utilize plastic or polycarbonate like on previous generations, but it simultaneously feels out of place but part of the lineup at the same time. It could help separate the affordable entry from the premium phones, but it does look cheap – or cheaper than we expected despite the fact it’ll target the same price point as the previous generation.

What about the core specs? These are a by-the-numbers affair once again. That said it’s going to be a solid spec sheet for a Pixel phone. The device will come with a Tensor G4 processor, 8GB RAM, 128 or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, plus a bigger 5,100mAh battery. All other Pixel 9 models come with 12GB of RAM to account for some of the AI functions, so it’ll be interesting to see what is omitted here – if anything.

An interesting change to the device is that its dimensions are increasing to 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm, and the display is now set to measure in at 6.3 inches this year. That’s a big increase despite some fairly minor chassis changes over the 8a, all while the display bezels remain much larger than on the Pixel 9. The display will still be best-in-class with a 120Hz refresh rate OLED, 1080p resolution, and a supposed 2,700 nit max brightness level with HDR content. One of the biggest downsides is the proposed re-use of Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection.

One downgrade is potentially the lack of an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner. According to early leaks, an optical scanner from Goodx will be used. This would make sense if costs need to be cut. Charging will jump up to 23W via USB-C—still slow—but remain at 7.5W with a Qi charger or Pixel Stand. This does mean that you’ll need to wait longer for the Pixel 9a to charge than many other phones on the market when it arrives. What’s more, the IP rating is supposedly getting a bump from IP67 to IP68, which means you’re safer in more environments with the Pixel 9a.

While the camera bar is getting cut, the Pixel 9a camera system could provide some more upgrades. This is arguably one of the major reasons you might want to wait for the Pixel 9a to launch before deciding which handset to pick.

Google is set to upgrade the main sensor, which is supposedly the new 48MP GN8 sensor from Samsung. That replaces the Sony IMX787 from the 7a and 8a. It’ll be paired with yet another 13MP ultrawide. The details on the ultrawide are scarce at this stage, but we’re expecting it to be the same sensor as on the 8a.

There is only one other thing to note here the Tensor G4 chip in the Pixel 9a is supposedly going to have a slightly different modem to the series. Rumors from late-2024 suggest that it will use the Exynos 5300 over the 5400, but that might not be true once we get the devices in the coming months.

What about the Pixel 8a?​

If you need a cheap phone right now, and it has to be a Pixel, you have a couple of choices. Firstly, there is the Pixel 9. It’s discounted quite drastically now and might even be cheaper than the Pixel 9a when the A-series phone arrives.

However, there is another option. While it’s not clear if the Pixel 8a is hanging around, based on Google’s previous affinity for keeping the previous generation around, we’d wager it’ll be a device offered at a substantially discounted rate.

The 8a is a good phone that encroaches a little too close to the base Pixel 8. It is still going to be supported for a further 6 years, and it dips below the $300 mark quite regularly. You’ll have to wait a long time before the Pixel 9a will reach those lows.

Should you buy now or wait for the Pixel 9a?​

About upgrading: 9to5Google often gives specific product recommendations. Sometimes, we may suggest not upgrading, due to various reasons including, but not limited to: increased device cost, negligible performance gains, or environmental impact. Whether to upgrade is always your call, but our aim is to help you make as informed a decision as possible.

To be clear, this is more of a PSA for anyone who is mulling over a new phone and wants to get the best value possible when picking up a new, used, or refurbished handset. The smartphone industry shifts and shapes based on the current crop of hardware, and the latest and greatest will always take precedence in carriers and retail stores.

The Pixel 9a is absolutely no different. It will arrive, and instantly, we’ll see a shift as retailers and OEMs adjust their pricing strategy to account for a new player on the market. The proposed pricing sits at $499/€499 for the 128GB model and $599/€599 for the 256GB variant.

If other OEMs want to stay in the public consciousness, expect prices of similar midrange phones to adjust to compete more directly. Incentives and free gifts might also make things even more enticing before and after the Pixel 9a launch. In essence, even if you have zero interest in the Pixel 9a it’s sensible to wait until it arrives to get a better deal on the phone you want – provided it isn’t a non-Google flagship.

Older phones will get discounted; new phones will offer something different. It’s a win-win.

What are you going to do?​

Are you considering waiting for the Pixel 9a or purchasing a current model? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! If you’re leaning towards a new purchase, check out the latest deals on Pixel devices. Your feedback and questions are always welcome—let’s discuss the future of Google’s smartphones together.

 

[limmk]

// Evan Blass

 

[limmk]

The Pixel 9a might not be official yet, but we know practically everything there is to know about it. We've seen leaked renders — again and again and again — alongside a detailed specs sheet. We've seen leaked real-world photos, and even spotted the phone alongside an early hands-on capture of the also-unreleased Galaxy S25 Edge. This thing is clearly coming sooner than we might think, with the long-rumored March release date potentially set to arrive at any moment.

On paper, it's about as promising — if not particularly exciting — as any other rumored phone launch this year. Unlike in previous generations, Google seems to be adopting an all-new look for the Pixel 9a, sticking to the flat edges and curved corners of the regular Pixel 9 while completely dropping the camera bar altogether. Obviously, we'll have to wait and see what the final design looks like, but to my eyes, it looks pretty good in a throwback sort of way. Hell, I called for exactly this back in December.

But an ever-shrinking camera bump is not why I'm excited for the Pixel 9a. Rather, it's all about Google's pricing — a fresh look is simply the cherry on top. If rumors are true, it's sticking to that $500 price point for the 128GB model. That's a mark we have yet to see the Pixel 9 breach, even if it's starting to come close.

The Pixel 8a next to the Pixel 7a.

More on that in a moment, though. Instead, I want to take the MSRPs of these phones at face value, as I assume Google would want you to. If the $500 price point is correct — and for the rest of this article, I will be assuming that it is — we'll see a $300 price difference between the Pixel 9a and the Pixel 9. $300 is a lot of cash, and the Pixel's A-series phones usually deliver a pretty rock-solid experience overall. The Pixel 8a, in particular, was really only missing out on that larger main camera sensor and faster wireless charging; even the screen, a sore point for me on the Pixel 7a, was perfectly enjoyable in daily use.

If anything, that price difference might overvalue the $800 Pixel 9, though that all depends on the corners Google ends up cutting this year. The lack of a camera bump might imply a smaller sensor this year, but the Pixel 8a took excellent photos in its own right, and despite my current feelings on Google's image processing, I have no reason to doubt that'll change this year. If you walk into your local Verizon store in a post-Pixel 9a world, I wouldn't be surprised to see people reaching for the cheaper — yet no less competent — smartphone.

If anything, that price difference might overvalue the $800 Pixel 9, though that all depends on the corners Google ends up cutting this year. The lack of a camera bump might imply a smaller sensor this year, but the Pixel 8a took excellent photos in its own right, and despite my current feelings on Google's image processing, I have no reason to doubt that'll change this year. If you walk into your local Verizon store in a post-Pixel 9a world, I wouldn't be surprised to see people reaching for the cheaper — yet no less competent — smartphone.

Pixel 9 sales don't overwrite the potential value of the Pixel 9a​

Consider it an early adopter tax​

Of course, this brings us to those sales. The Pixel 9 has stayed pretty consistent since the holidays, moving back and forth between its full $800 price and $650 on discount. At the start of March, though, it did finally drop to $600 on Amazon for the very first time, a deal that you can still find as of writing if you're willing to buy it in pink or white. I can practically hear the comments from here: "Why buy the Pixel 9a when you can just wait for a Pixel 9 sale instead?"

I don't disagree, but I still think this year could offer a more obvious choice between the two phones than ever before. Again, the lack of a camera bump could be a big deal to some buyers, making the phone immediately feel more comfortable in pockets or when typing on a desk (though, admittedly, rocking back and forth on a desk hasn't been a problem in the Pixel's Tensor age). If Google decides to keep the entire device matte, as it did with last year's Pixel 8a, it could be a much more comfortable device to hold than, say, the glossy Pixel 9.

Really, though, I think it's best if we all start thinking of the Pixel 9's months-long lead as an early adopter tax. The Pixel 9a isn't a weird smartphone that sacrifices some features for the sake of "just" saving $100. It's the device that arrives six months after the mainline device, a phone that takes everything enthusiasts liked about the more expensive option and packs it into a cheaper product. And considering that it'll live on well after the Pixel 10 debuts, it makes that much more sense.

The Pixel 9a won't be a replacement for the Pixel 9​

It'll just be a cheaper alternative​

At the end of the day, these pricing conversations are mostly moot anyway. Let's not forget that most US shoppers are buying their smartphones through carriers, and right now, Verizon will give you a Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro for free on a 36-month payment plan (albeit on a new line). In the world of trade-ins, pre-order discounts, and carrier plans, comparing smartphone prices is as difficult and as headache-inducing as ever. Trust me, I live in this space.

Whenever the Pixel 9a does show up, I'm expecting a pretty serious case of déjà vu. Any sales Google is currently running on the Pixel 9 will dry up, giving its new smartphone the space to make a big impression on anyone not actively tracking prices on Amazon. Fans will ask why this device exists, only for the upcoming Pixel 10 to eventually boost flagship prices back towards the four digit mark. And if Google does stick to its $500 price point for another generation, I think people will absolutely bite.

 

[limmk]

 

[limmk]

The Pixel 9a is expeted to be released later this month, so that means more leaks are bound to show up as we approach the launch. A new Pixel 9a leak surfaces, showing off the camera in action during a Lucha Libre match.

Google’s lineup of Pixel 9 phones is about to grow to 5 different models. Beyond the original two slab-style 9 Pro models, the Pixel 9 base model, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the company is planning on bringing another budget option into the mix. The new sub-$500 phone will supposedly carry a 5,100 mAh battery, optical fingerprint sensor, and Tensor G4 SoC.

A few leaks have already bubbled up in the last month or so, and a new one just confirms the design of the Pixel 9a. Beyond that, a new Shorts video posted on YouTube shows off the Pixel 9a camera in action during a classic Lucha Libre showdown. In the midst of chaos, the back of the phone is shown off first — tiny camera bump included. The look of Pixel 9a doesn’t exactly excite, but it does carry some of Google’s characteristic Pixel design cues.

The front of the device houses what’s supposed to be a 6.3-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. That’s shown in the leaked video, along with some camera samples. The samples taken from the Pixel 9a’s camera are in video mode, which may look a little different from general shots taken with the phone. The unit is reported to be a 48MP camera and a 13MP ultrawide. The image below showcases several focal lengths in the shot. The video notes that these videos were taken with the camera, though it isn’t known if every single shot is from the phone.

Beyond being compressed for YouTube, these samples don’t look too bad in action. We recommend checking out the original video while it’s up. The video also has a selfie segment where the front selfie camera is used to record. The colors look akin to what the Pixel series usually brings, and the Pixel 9a looks to have some decent range without too much of a drop in quality.

We’ll have to wait and see how the Pixel 9a actually performs, but this was a fun early look at what it’ll offer. The Pixel 9a is likely to be launched on March 26.

 

[limmk]

// Evan Blass

 

[limmk]

 

[anthonygreenisreal]

The bezels are thick la sia

 

[limmk]

The bezels are thick la sia

There are no bezels