Getting a good Pixel phone deal becomes significantly easier during a few key times each year, with spring sale season being one of them. As such, Amazon is offering the Google Pixel 9a for just $400 during its Big Spring Sale, marking a 20% discount and $100 off the normal price.

The last-gen A-Series device features a beautiful, compact display, impressive performance and cameras for the price, and an incredibly long-lasting battery. It also comes with a wide range of Gemini AI features, and a camera with a particularly good-looking Macro Focus mode. Add in seven years of updates and a IP68 water and dust resistance rating, and it'll honestly leave many scratching their heads as to why this flagship is so reasonably priced.

This particular deal is available for the phone's Peony and Iris colors, specifically in the entry-level, 128GB configuration. Fortunately, those who need more than 128GB of storage can still save 19% on the 256GB version during the sale, though it's only available in the Obsidian color.

• See the full list of deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale

✅Recommended if: you're looking for an affordable modern phone that has speedy performance, a few Gemini AI features, and a bright, good-looking display; you prefer a phone that leans more toward the compact side of the size spectrum; you want to go with a phone featuring a super-long-lasting battery life and some impressive photo- and video-taking capabilities.

❌Skip this deal if: you can afford the newer Google Pixel 10a; you need a phone with industry-leading charging speeds; you prefer a larger phone to one with this smaller form factor.

The Google Pixel 9a substantially broke out from the A-Series reputation with a crazy-long battery life, a good-looking display, and Tensor CPU performance that you can hardly tell isn't in the premium category.

The 9a launched last summer, offering over 30 hours of battery life, or up to 100 when using the Extreme Battery Saver mode. It includes 8GB of RAM, a Google Tensor G4 processor, and a 6.3-inch pOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rates. Those who like smaller phones will love the 9a's compact build, while it also comes with a 48MP rear camera, a 13MP Ultrawide rear lens, and a 13MP selfie cam.

What you need to know

• Pixel 9a users on Reddit report receiving support for Google's Screen-off Fingerprint scanning feature.
• With this, Pixel 9a users catch-up to Google's flagships (Pixel 9, Pixel 10) with this feature that lets users unlock their phones without waking their display.
• Users claim this has started appearing with the March update, a patch that's been causing some serious problems for users.

If you've got Google's Pixel 9a, you might want to check to see if you've got this convenient fingerprint feature.

Over the weekend, users on the Pixel_phones subreddit noticed that a new fingerprint option has arrived with the March update (via PiunikaWeb). The original poster reports that their Pixel 9a has received a "When using Fingerprint Unlock" option in the respective settings menu. This sub-section now houses the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock toggle. According to the user, the feature "works great on my Pixel 9a."

They add that it does not work on their Pixel 6 Pro, as support most likely didn't get rolled out for that older generation. A few more reports were added to this Reddit thread. Others have noticed the feature arrive on their Pixel 9a; however, discussions quickly turned sour for Google's other phone.

One user reports that they had this fingerprint scanning capability on their Pixel 7 Pro, but Google seemingly removed it with the March 2026 update. This would be strange if it's happened to even more users, as Google hasn't publicly mentioned removing such support. As previously mentioned, this was a feature that Google rolled out on its flagships: the Pixel 9 and (now) the Pixel 10 series.

Quick scan

This screen-off fingerprint feature was first reported late in 2024, as Android 16's second Developer Preview rolled out for users. Users are already used to the usual runaround: wake your phone, hold your thumb (or finger) to the scanner, and you're in. With this, you wouldn't have to wake your display first. Users can hold their thumb against their screen and watch their phone unlock. At the time, the feature was limited to the Pixel 9 series for testing.

It's a rather useful feature that basically streamlines things. It's also toggleable, meaning you don't need to have this on if the usual method doesn't bother you. Elsewhere, that one user mentioning this feature's disappearance on their phone reminds us of the problems the March update has been causing. Pixel users have been complaining that the AOD (always-on display) has been freezing nonstop since updating. More than that, the Pixel Watch's SpO2 and skin temperature haven't been working, nor has Fitbit's step tracking.

It may be earlier than expected, but the Google Pixel 10a is already official and up for pre-order. The Pixel 10a looks strikingly similar to last year's Pixel 9a, and for some people, it may not even feel like much of an upgrade (including me).

As I mentioned recently, the Pixel 10a could be the smallest upgrade a Pixel A-series phone has seen in years.

That doesn't make the Pixel 10a a bad phone. It's still the best mid-range Pixel you can buy right now if you want access to Google's clean software and AI features. However, if you are shopping for a new smartphone, the Pixel 10a is not the only device you can get for $499. There are some seriously compelling alternatives out there.

If you're willing to look beyond the Pixel 10a, there are at least five phones that make a much stronger case for your money.

Google Pixel 9a

Believe it or not, the best phone you can buy instead of the Google Pixel 10a is actually Google's own Pixel 9a from last year. Moving from the Pixel 9a to the Pixel 10a should have brought some noticeable upgrades, or at least meaningful changes. But the Pixel 10a is virtually the same smartphone as the Pixel 9a.

There are a few small differences, like the Pixel 10a being 1mm thicker, which makes the camera sit even more flush with the rear frame. It also gets upgraded Gorilla Glass 7i protection on the front, a slightly brighter display, and marginally faster wired charging. Apart from these tweaks and the new color options, the Pixel 9a and Pixel 10a are almost identical.

The Pixel 9a features the same Tensor G4 chip, the same 5100mAh battery, and the same dual-camera setup on the back. It runs the same Android version, Android 16, as the Pixel 10a. Yes, the Pixel 10a will likely receive one additional year of software updates, but that difference will not matter much in the short term.

Google may be offering several promotions on the Pixel 10a right now, but you can pick up the Pixel 9a for as low as $399 in the US. At that price, it is arguably the better deal compared to the Pixel 10a.

OnePlus 15R

When it comes to value-for-money smartphones, OnePlus cannot be ignored. While the company's R-series phones used to offer even stronger value in previous years, prices have gradually increased, almost near to its flagship lineup. That said, they're still solid mid-range devices and offer excellent value for money, especially when compared to the Pixel 10a.

The OnePlus 15R is the company's latest premium mid-range phone. Even though it starts at $699, which is $100 more than the 256GB variant of the Pixel 10a, it offers much stronger hardware and a better overall value package.

The OnePlus 15R is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset. It is not the absolute flagship processor, but it delivers near-flagship performance. The phone comes with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage.

On the front, you get a large 6.83-inch AMOLED display with up to a 165Hz refresh rate, backed by a massive 7,400mAh battery with 80W charging support. Sure, it does not include all the AI-focused features of the Pixel 10a. There is no Pixel Screenshots app, no camera coaching features, and no similar AI-powered tools.

But if you value strong hardware and a clean software experience over AI extras, the OnePlus 15R is arguably the better deal.

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

While the spotlight right now is on Samsung's new Galaxy S26 series, the Galaxy S25 FE remains an excellent mid-range option. It originally launched at $650, which is higher than the Pixel 10a's retail price, but you can now find it for close to $450, making it a very compelling alternative.

On the front, you get a larger 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and stronger protection thanks to Gorilla Glass Victus+. It runs Android 16 out of the box and will likely receive One UI 8.5 soon, bringing several new Galaxy AI features.

On the back, you get an additional 3x telephoto lens, which makes zoom shots much easier. The Pixel 10a does not offer a telephoto lens at all.

While the battery is slightly smaller at 4,900mAh compared to the Pixel 10a, you do get faster 45W charging, whereas the Pixel 10a supports 30W. Overall, both phones are fairly similar, but if you value a dedicated telephoto camera, prefer One UI, and want a bigger display, the Galaxy S25 FE is a great option.

Moto Razr+ (2024)

Spending less than flagship money doesn't mean you cannot try a new form factor, and that is exactly what the Moto Razr+ (2024) offers. The Pixel 10a is a traditional slab smartphone, but the Razr+ 2024 comes in a flip-style foldable design that you usually see on higher-end devices.

Sure, it is a slightly older smartphone, but it still offers plenty of standout features along with a fun form factor to experiment with. The Razr+ 2024 features a 4-inch edge-to-edge cover display protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. When unfolded, it reveals a large 6.9-inch AMOLED inner display with a 165Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support.

It comes with a dual 50MP camera setup, including a 50MP primary sensor with f/1.7 aperture and OIS, along with a 50MP telephoto lens offering 2x zoom. Like most clamshell foldables, you can use the primary camera for selfies, which delivers much better results than what you get on most mid-range phones, including the Pixel 10a.

Under the hood, it runs on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset. It may not be the latest processor, but considering you're paying mid-range prices for a clamshell foldable, performance will hold up just fine.

The only downside is software longevity. The Razr+ 2024 launched with Android 14 and is promised three major OS updates. That means after Android 16, only Android 17 remains.

If you prioritize long-term software support and AI features over the foldable experience, the Pixel 10a may be the safer choice. But if you want to try a new form factor without paying flagship prices, the Razr+ 2024 remains one of the most interesting options available.

Nothing Phone 3a Pro

If you find the Pixel 10a a bit bland, a strong alternative to consider is the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. The Nothing Phone 3a Pro carries the brand's signature industrial design language along with Glyph LEDs on the back and a unique camera module that looks nothing like the Pixel 10a.

If you're drawn to the Pixel for its clean software experience, Nothing OS offers something similar. It is close to stock Android and feels lightweight and smooth. However, the phone launched with Android 15 and has already been updated to Android 16. Nothing is promising three major Android updates in total, which means only two more updates remain.

On the front, you get a large 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Compared to the Pixel 10a, it also includes a 50MP 3x telephoto lens and supports faster 50W wired charging. The main drawback, however, is U.S. carrier compatibility. The phone officially works with T-Mobile and AT&T, but some users have reported issues on Verizon networks.

Additionally, you may want to wait a week before making a decision, as the Nothing Phone 4a Pro is also expected to launch soon.

Google Pixel phones are loaded with AI-powered camera and photo editing tools, and there are even more available to all Google Photos users. There are flashy options like Magic Editor or Auto Best Take, but there are plenty more that aren't front and center in the Google Photos app. One such feature is Auto Frame, an advanced cropping tool that launched with the Google Pixel 9 series and made its way to the Pixel 9a, too.

Smartphone cameras employ quite a few post-processing tricks to improve quality, but there's still more to capturing a good photo than having the right hardware or algorithm. Real-world conditions, including lighting and framing, can have a big impact. Auto Frame automatically crops and resizes your images with more desirable framing, so photo composition is one less thing for you to worry about.

Here's how to use it on supported Pixel phones, including the entire Pixel 9 series and Pixel 10 series.

What is Auto Frame, and what does it do?

Photo composition is all about intentionally placing certain parts of the image in specific places to achieve a desired look. Typically, you want the subject of your photo in the center and in focus. Auto Frame on Google Pixel phones uses AI to identify the subject or focus of a photo and crop the image accordingly. Depending on the image, this could involve centering the subject or adjusting the aspect ratio of the photo.

In some cases, Auto Frame will simply zoom in on an image or trim the edges to find the right framing. In others, the tool can employ generative AI to expand the image, filling in the space around the actual photo. This creates the appearance of a wider shot, allowing Auto Frame to get more creative with the image's framing.

Auto Frame suggests multiple AI-adjusted images, so you can pick the one you prefer. If you don't want the expanded images created with generative AI, it's perfectly fine to skip them. There's even a refresh option that runs Auto Frame again to suggest more edits, helping you find the best one.

How to use Auto Frame on a Pixel 9 or later

Auto Frame is a somewhat hidden tool in the Google Photos app. It's not a high-level editing tool like Magic Eraser or Photo Unblur. Instead, this is a little-known option that you won't see until you open the cropping tool in Google Photos. Here's how to find (and use) Auto Frame on your supported Pixel phone:

1. Launch the Google Photos app and pick a photo.

2. Press the Edit button in the toolbar and tap Tools.

3. In the Actions tab, pick the Crop tool.

4. Tap Auto frame.

5. Auto Frame will then generate a handful of options. Pick your favorite, or press the refresh button to load new options.

6. Press the checkmark when you've picked a selection.

7. Hit Save as copy to save the edited photo to your camera roll.

Since Auto Frame saves the edited photo as a copy, you'll always have the original to fall back on. You can use Auto Frame to edit and crop your original image as many times as you'd like, turning one photo into a handful of photos, all with their own look and feel.

Auto Frame can inspire your next shot

Even if you're opposed to using generative AI in photography, Auto Frame can still be a useful learning tool. Take the screenshots above, for example — Auto Frame took a basic wide shot of a harbor and turned it into completely different photos with unique sizes and subjects. In one photo, the dock and ships became the focus. In another, the once-landscape photo became a portrait one that contrasts the land, water, and sky.

In the last screenshot, Auto Frame used the rule of thirds to arrange the elements in the photo in a visually pleasing way. The land, water, and sky each roughly take up a third of the image, with the main dock nearly centered. It's the perfect example of quality photo composition in action. You can pick up on these stylistic choices and apply them to future photos, helping you become a better mobile photographer overall.

Why Auto Frame is the most useful of Google's photo tools

To me, Auto Frame separates itself as one of the more useful Pixel photography tools because you don't have to use it in the moment. It's always available in the Google Photos app, and you can use it to edit photos that are years old. Rather than fiddling with photo and camera settings in a pinch, you can snap a quick photo and clean it up later using Auto Frame. That makes this tool incredibly appealing for any budding photographer who's in a rush.

Best of all, it doesn't go overboard with generative AI. The feature might fill the gaps here and there, but the main goal of Auto Frame is to crop and resize photos to make them look better. It's a tool that even AI skeptics should be able to appreciate.

Auto Frame is available on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series, including the A-series model, and you can start using it now.

It's official: the Google Pixel 10a is set to be revealed this week, but if you don't want to wait, there's a new Pixel 9a deal from T-Mobile that's worth a bit of extra consideration. Just in time for Presidents' Day, you can get last year's midrange masterpiece for FREE by adding a line with  "most T-Mobile plans". No trade-in required and no confusing fine print to worry about.

The obvious catch is that, with the arrival of the next-gen version of the phone set for February 18th, many folks may want to wait and see what Pixel 10a preorder deals become available in the coming days. 

But if you want a simple carrier deal that gets you a great phone for free, the Google Pixel 9a is still an extremely capable device that can perform with the best of them. Besides, knowing Google, it's unlikely that the upgrade from the Pixel 9a to the 10a is going to be that dramatic, but still: it's a roll of the dice. 

✅Recommended if: you want a great Pixel phone with versatile camera tech, a sleek design, and all-day battery life, but you don't want to pay for it; you're an existing T-Mobile subscriber or you're willing to switch. 

❌Skip this deal if: you want to wait and see what Google Pixel 10a preorder deals go live on February 18th; you're looking for a trade-in deal. 

The Google Pixel 9a boasts a lovely 6.3-inch pOLED display, Tensor G4 chipset with 8GB of RAM, and a 5,100mAh battery that should easily surpass a full day on a single charge. You also get a bunch of handy Gemini AI features and seven years of guaranteed software support. 

In fact, like I mentioned above, the only reason I wouldn't take advantage of this deal is the fact that we're getting the Pixel 10a this week. The newer phone is likely to receive an upgraded chipset and Android 16, but I wouldn't expect many dramatic improvements beyond that. Preorder deals for the Pixel 10a are likely to include some compelling trade-in opportunities and perhaps a free gift card when you buy unlocked. 

In other words, if you're a big Pixel fans and you want the latest and greatest device from the OEM, wait a few days for the Pixel 10a launch. If, on the other hand, you simply want a great device with a straightforward, no-strings T-Mobile deal, this offer on the Google Pixel 9a is jumping on. 

The launch of the new Pixel 10a is quickly approaching, but why wait when last year's still-excellent Google Pixel 9a is chilling with a Black Friday-level discount For the first time since the big holiday sales in December, Best Buy is carving $150 off the already-affordable Google Pixel 9a when you buy the device unlocked, OR $250 off when you activate through Verizon or AT&T. That's a discount of up to 50% off our favorite cheap Android phone on the market today, no trade-in required.

✅Recommended if: you want flagship-level camera tech, performance, and battery life in a sub-$500 phone.

❌Skip this deal if: you'd rather wait for the Google Pixel 10a; you're looking for a trade-in opportunity or carrier deal.

The Google Pixel 9a earned an exceptional 4.5/5-star rating when it first debuted last spring, thanks to the device's sophisticated blend of flagship-level specs and an array of AI-boosted software features.

Starting at just $499 before any discounts are applied, the smartphone is powered by Google's very own Tensor G4 chipset, plus you get a lovely 6.3-inch pOLED display, 8GB of RAM, and over 30 hours of battery life on a single charge.

The phone also comes with an IP68 water-and-dust resistance rating and seven years of guaranteed software updates, two specs that are exceedingly rare in this price range.

In fact, if you're simply looking at bang for the buck, there are very few negatives associated with the Pixel 9a. Sure, trade in an old device or add a line to your wireless service and you might be able to get a better Android phone for less, but if you want an exceptional deal on an unlocked phone, this Best Buy offer on the Pixel 9a can't be beat.

The only thing that I'd worry about is the imminent arrival of the Pixel 10a. Google has confirmed that the phone will be unveiled on February 18th, so if you want the newest of the new, it might be worth waiting a few weeks to see what preorder deals become available.

When does the Google Pixel 10a come out?

Google has confirmed that the Pixel 10a will be formally announced on February 18th. Once the device is revealed, we'll likely have a preorder period of a few weeks before the phone finally hits store shelves.

It's unlikely we'll see any $150 straight discounts on the 2026 Pixel, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Pixel 10a received some exceptional trade-in opportunities, storage upgrades, and free gift card deals when the preorder period finally kicks off in earnest.

Google's upcoming midrange smartphone has the potential to stand alone as the best cheap Android phone on the market in 2026.

Android Central editor Harish Jonnalagadda described Samsung's Galaxy A56 as "the worst mid-range phone" he used last year, and called the OnePlus 15R effectively dead on arrival due to downgrades and a price hike. With two leading brands in the midrange space letting us down, the door is wide open for Google to wow us with the soon-to-be-released Pixel 10a.

The decision of whether to wait for the A-series Pixel is always tricky. As the new midrange Pixel's release date nears, Google slashes the price of current models. Right now, you can snag the Pixel 9a for $100 off and the Pixel 10 for roughly $85 off. We've seen carrier deals offer a free Pixel 10 without a trade-in. A new Pixel 9 costs $499 today, which is the same retail price as the Pixel 9a and the expected cost of the Pixel 9a.

In other words, if you're in the market for a budget Pixel, you've got more options than you probably know what to do with. These are the cases for buying a Pixel now, holding out for the Pixel 10a — and what I'd do with my own money.

The case for buying the Google Pixel 9a now

Past A-series Pixels felt too close to mainline models to carve out a clear market position. I found myself recommending the discounted base models to prospective buyers far too often instead of the A-series options. The Google Pixel 9a flipped the script. It may not be for everyone, but we now know exactly who this model is for.

The Google Pixel 9a introduced a complete redesign with a thick, 8.9mm boxy build. The camera system was revamped to include a 48MP main sensor and a 13MP ultrawide, and more importantly, flatten the camera bump. The raised glass camera cover is basically nonexistent, making the Pixel 9a sit comfortably on flat surfaces and feel great in the hand.

A 5,100mAh battery — a record for an A-series Pixel, by a long shot — further cements the phone's positioning as a practical device. One that's built for someone who cares about functionality and the basics, not the latest specs or a premium design.

The case for buying the Pixel 9a now is that those factors still apply. The design is still extremely appealing to those who just want a reliable phone without camera bumps and fancy features. The seven-year Android OS upgrade support ensures the Pixel 9a won't be outdated in a few years. Moreover, the Tensor G4 chip is capable enough, and support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 will handle wireless connectivity just fine.

For those who are worried about the camera changes, there's no need to fret. We tested the Google Pixel 9a's cameras against the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a, and found the new model performs consistently better thanks to improved color science and computational photography.

The two pain points are the phone's memory and storage. The Google Pixel 9a only has 8GB of memory and either 128GB or 256GB of slower UFS 3.1 storage. Unlike other budget phones, like the Moto G 2026 series, the Pixel 9a does not have expandable storage. The amount you buy is the amount you're stuck with, so choose wisely.

The reason these factors aren't a dealbreaker is that current rumors point to Google keeping these specs identical for the Pixel 10a. If that turns out to be true, the limitations will still be present on the new model in a few months.

The case for waiting for the Google Pixel 10a

We've heard a bit about the Google Pixel 10a from rumors and leaks, and it's not great news for those hoping for Pixel 9a upgrades. The alleged specs include the same rear camera setup, the same RAM and storage configuration, and the same battery capacity. In fact, Google could go as far as use the exact same Tensor G4 processor on the newer model.

One reason to wait for the Pixel 10a, anyway, is the hope that Google will make a surprise change. Leaks and rumors don't always get it right, and it would be disappointing to buy a Pixel 9a now if the successor turns out to be great. It seems hard to believe Google would release a Pixel 10a effectively identical to the Pixel 9a, even if prices remain the same. I'd assume that Google has to change something to keep the Pixel 10a fresh, but who knows.

The other benefit of waiting for the Pixel 10a is a longer software support window. The Google Pixel 9a is almost a year old, so it'll have about six years of Android OS upgrades left if you buy it soon. The Pixel 10a will likely keep the same seven-year total Android OS upgrade window, but it'll be brand new, so early adopters will get the entire thing. The new model could launch with Android 16 or Android 17, depending on the phone's release timing.

Speaking of that, current rumors point to the Google Pixel 10a debuting sometime in February or March, which is a bit ahead of schedule. That also means you won't have to wait as long to see what the new model will offer. As a general rule, I recommend that if you're within a few weeks of an expected launch window, it can't hurt to hold out and see if there are major upgrades.

How I'd spend my money

Personally, I'm concerned that the Pixel 10a will be a disappointing incremental upgrade. I've identified low memory as a problem for the Pixel 9a, as it's already causing the phone to miss out on key features. If the Pixel 10a keeps things the same, the number of missed features compared to the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series will continue to mount.

That's why if I were in the market for a midrange Pixel, I'd assuredly buy the Google Pixel 9 for $500. It's available for the same price as the would-be Pixel 10a, has the same chip as the Pixel 9a, and offers 50% more RAM. The main camera sensor is better, too.

There's still about five years of Android OS upgrades left for that device, so it won't become obsolete anytime soon. In fact, the 12GB of RAM might mean the Pixel 9 holds up better than the Pixel 9a or Pixel 10a, despite being older.

If you're on the fence, wait. The prices for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9a can only go down or stay the same following the Pixel 10a's release.

It feels like Google couldn't wait to get its new Pixel 10a smartphone in the market, launching a little less than a year since the Pixel 9a did in 2025. The result is an underwhelming release in comparison with the 9a and it really does feel like a stop-gap model for what could be a bigger overhaul in the future. Thankfully, Google has maintained one aspect of the A series that made it so popular to begin with and that's the pricing.

The Google Pixel 10a starts at $499 and you can pre-order it now, with open sale starting from March 5. If you're a Pixel 9a user, you probably already know that you can skip this generation. But if you are on the fence deciding between the Pixel 10a vs. Pixel 9a, you've come to the right place. Let's compare the specs and features of both and see which makes a better buy.

Google Pixel 10a vs. Pixel 9a: Design and display

The Google Pixel 10a adopts the same design as the Pixel 9a, which already got a massive design overhaul in 2025. I personally think it's the right move, as I love the minimalist look of the 9a. The 10a does come in new shades like Berry and Fog, along with Lavender and Obsidian. There's IP68 dust and water protection as well.

The Pixel 10a has similar dimensions as the 9a. The weight has gone down a bit to 183 grams and it now measures 9mm in thickness. Unfortunately, the 10a does not support Pixelsnap tech. The latter was introduced with the Pixel 10 series, which enabled magnetic attachment of accessories like stands and wireless chargers.

Google has given the A series incremental upgrades to the display, and that trend continues with the 10a. The only real upgrades here are the higher brightness which is now up to 3,000 nits and Gorilla Glass 7i for shatter protection. The 9a is still using the very old Gorilla Glass 3 so it's nice to finally get a sturdier screen.

The back panel of the Pixel 9a is plastic, which is what contributes to the low weight. The Pixel 9a comes in some cool colors like Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, and Peony. If you hate rear camera bumps, you'll love the almost-flat back of the Pixel 9a. There's an IP68 rating for dust and waterproofing, and we absolutely love the matte finish of the frame, which doesn't pick up any fingerprints.

The Google Pixel 9a actually matches the Pixel 9's screen for size, brightness, refresh rate, and resolution. This is quite impressive for a now almost-$400 phone. You'll also find the brightness level to be much higher than most other phones in this segment. While the display is good for general viewing, PWM-sensitive folks will not like this one bit.

Google Pixel 10a vs. Pixel 9a: Hardware and specs

For the first time, Google's Pixel A series will not use the same processor as the current-gen number series phones. The Pixel 10a uses the same Tensor G4 SoC as the Pixel 9a, rather than using the G5 chip. As some consolation though, the 10a does support some AI features that are exclusive to the Pixel 10 series (with the G5 chip) like Auto Best Take and Camera Coach. Having said that, there are a couple of newer features like Magic Cue and Pixel Screenshots which are not supported on the 10a.

Even with the astronomical prices of RAM these days, we appreciate Google keeping the price of the Pixel 10a the same as the 9a. You can get the 10a at nearly half off if you pre-order and have a eligible device to trade in. Even without this incentive though, the 10a starts at $499 for 128GB of storage and $599 for 256GB.

One neat addition (and a first fot the A series) is support for satellite SOS. This allows you to connect to emergency services even if you're out of network area and Wi-Fi isn't available.

Battery life was one of the Pixel 9a's strongest points, and we're happy to see the same capacity in the 10a. A slightly larger size would have been appreciated but despite that, Google is boasting of increased battery life in the 10a like 30+ hours or up to 120 hours with Battery Saver.

The Google Pixel 10a also gets a much-needed bump in charging speeds, both for wired and wireless. Compared to the Pixel 9a, the 10a can now do 30W wired charging and 10W wireless charging. Sadly, the phone doesn't support the Qi2 standard even if you use a case. It's a real shame as Google could have included compatibility via a case the way Samsung did with the Galaxy S25 series.

Google added a third telephoto camera to the standard Pixel 10, a feature previously reserved only for the Pro models. While the Pixel 10a does not get a third telephoto camera, it's not impossible to find one in this segment; just look at the CMF Phone 2 Pro. The cameras on the Pixel 9a were good, but a higher-resolution ultrawide would be nice to have.

The Pixel 10a has the exact same sensors as the Pixel 9a but with a few new AI features from the Pixel 10 series.

The Pixel 9a now retails for $399 and $499 for the two storage tiers. Performance is more than adequate for the price, and it actually matches the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro in many benchmark scores.

The 5,100mAh battery is one of the largest batteries we've seen on a Pixel, and this results in amazing battery life with over a day of runtime even with heavy use. Charging speed is much slower, though, at just 23W with Google's 45W adapter. There is wireless charging too, but the speed is just 7.5W.

The Pixel 9a has a 48MP main and a 13MP ultrawide on the back, and a 13MP module in the front. It can shoot 4K videos with the front and rear cameras, and even though it doesn'tt have a macro camera, it supports features like Macro Focus to help it get sharp close-up shots.

Google Pixel 10a vs. Pixel 9a: Software

The Google Pixel 10a ships with Android 16 and gets the seven-year OS upgrade commitment, just like the 9a. It also features many of the AI capabilities as the Pixel 10 series which is nice considering it doesn't have the latest Tensor chip.

The Pixel 9a shipped with Android 15, but it has received the Android 16 update and will continue to receive day-one OS upgrades with the rest of the Pixel family for the next six years. It has all the beloved features we've come to know and love, like Add Me, Astrophotography, and Macro Focus. Due to the lower RAM, though, you get Gemini Nano instead of the full-blown version, and this limits access to features like Pixel Screenshots and Call Notes.

Google Pixel 10a vs. Pixel 9a: Which one should you buy?

The Google Pixel 10a is the latest best cheap phone you can buy today and if you don't own the Pixel 9a yet, I'd suggest pick up the 10a. It might not be a massive upgrade but even little things like the faster charging, sturdier and brighter screen, and support for exclusive Pixel 10 AI features are all worth the $499 price tag.

Google is still officially selling the Pixel 9a at the same launch price so it does not make sense to buy this right now, at full price. When the price does eventually crash though in the next few months, the 9a will certianly be even better value. In fact, you can find the 9a at around $400 on Amazon from some sellers.

It's no secret that smartphones are incredibly mature, and the days of justifying annual upgrades are over. Processors are fast, displays are crisp, cameras are sharp, and crucially, phone makers are supporting devices for longer than ever with up to seven years of Android OS upgrades. On the flip side, budget devices are winning the price-to-performance ratio, but they often fall short in one major area: memory.

Frankly, it's easy to switch from the most expensive Android phones to the cheapest ones. I've recently moved from the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge to the TCL 60 XE NXTPAPER, and these are phones priced roughly $900 apart. Sure, one feels snappier and more premium, although both handle all my daily needs perfectly fine. I can live with a budget processor, display, or camera, but doing the same with low RAM is much trickier.

There's no better example of this than the Google Pixel 9a. Despite the Pixel 9a being the newest A-series Pixel available, it continually misses out on new AI features, presumably due to memory constraints.

The Google Pixel 9a started at a major disadvantage

Ideally, you want to buy a phone with future-proofing in mind. To keep a phone for a half decade or longer, it's essential to pick a device based on your needs today and in the future. This is why it's recommended to upgrade the storage configuration of your smartphone if you can afford it, because it'll give you the room to take on photos, videos, media, and apps as you live with a device for years.

As a result, it's hard to justify purchasing a phone that's already behind the curve on day one. Those limitations will only become more apparent as time goes on. However, that's what Google is asking Pixel 9a buyers to do. This phone ships with only 8GB of memory, which is much less than you'll find on the rest of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series.

This is a modest amount of RAM that will be fine for daily use, until you want to use on-device AI. Artificial intelligence demands large amounts of available RAM. Since the Pixel 9a only has 8GB of RAM, it can't utilize the latest Gemini Nano models with multimodality. It has to use the Gemini Nano XXS model, which is a text-only model that only runs when it's needed.

The rest of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series use Gemini Nano models that run all the time and utilize multimodality to handle text, audio, and visuals simultaneously. With only the Gemini Nano XXS model, the Pixel 9a started at a disadvantage in terms of feature set. It missed out on Pixel Screenshots and Call Notes, which are features that every mainline Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series phone received.

It's possible that you consider the lack of AI features a benefit instead of a drawback. Some would rather not have their phone riddled with unwanted AI tools. However, when the Pixel 9a launched, I suspected this would only be the beginning of the feature omissions for this phone. Google's promise of seven years of Android OS upgrades and regular Pixel Drops won't mean much if the Pixel 9a misses out on the best features.

Not even a year into the Pixel 9a's existence, it's already starting to miss out on more new features. Scam Detection won't work on the Pixel 9a in certain regions. Additionally, the new AI notification summaries aren't available on the Pixel 9a. These are just a few features introduced with recent Pixel Drops that aren't available on Google's current midranger.

Some features simply can't use cloud processing

Theoretically, the Pixel 9a's onboard memory limitations shouldn't be much of an issue. Lots of AI processing can be offloaded to the cloud for additional power. Google Pixel 9a users can still use Gemini, Gemini Live, Nano Banana, and plenty more AI features that leverage the cloud. The handset can even use some on-device AI features, like Google Recorder transcription, since these features use older models that predate Gemini Nano.

The issue is that some AI features you really don't want processed in the cloud to protect your privacy. It's possible Google could bring Call Notes, Pixel Screenshots, and AI notification summaries to the Pixel 9a via cloud processing. But that would mean your calls, screenshots, and notifications being sent to Google servers for privacy. It's an option on paper, but not in reality.

The other reason certain AI features run on the device is for speed. It takes time to transmit data to a cloud server, process it, and return it to your device. In some applications, this rules out cloud processing as a viable option.

To sum up, features like Call Notes and AI notification summaries need to be processed on your device for low-latency responses and security, but they can't be on the Pixel 9a due to its RAM shortcomings.

Every other smartphone part has effectively peaked

Google is behind, even in comparison to other Android midrangers. The Samsung Galaxy A56 is configurable with up to 12GB of RAM, while the OnePlus 15R offers 12GB of memory as standard. To be fair, this is not a problem exclusive to Google phones, or the Pixel 9a specifically. The aforementioned Galaxy A56 gets "Awesome Intelligence" features instead of Galaxy AI due to its lower standard memory than flagship Galaxy phones.

In 2026, whether you use a Snapdragon 8 Elite or a newer Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip is inconsequential for most users. The same goes for Apple, Qualcomm, or Google smartphone processors. There are clear differences between them, and we have benchmarks to demonstrate that, but the bottom line is that every modern system-on-a-chip (SoC) can handle the basics for the vast majority of customers.

While almost every other smartphone part has peaked, phones will always require more RAM to accommodate newer, more demanding AI features. The Google Pixel 9a is proof of what can happen if you ignore the RAM specification of your next smartphone. It's perhaps the only smartphone spec that still matters, because without enough of it, you'll be left without the latest and greatest features.

Some phone deals come along fairly regularly, but it's especially nice to see extra discounts on already affordable phones. As one example, Amazon has chopped $100 off the price of the Google Pixel 9a, which is one of our favorite phones in the economy-level range. The deal marks a 20% overall discount, bringing the phone to just $400.

The Pixel 9a boasts a super-long battery life, a good-looking, 6.3-inch display, and a number of Gemini AI features. Plus, buyers who love long-term update promises will appreciate Google's offering of seven years of updates.

The deal is available for all four of the Pixel 9a colors, dubbed obsidian, porcelain, peony, and iris. The $400 price point is for the base-level 128GB configuration, though Amazon is also offering a decent deal on the upgraded 256GB version if you have the budget to upgrade.

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a phone for under $400 that will still offer good performance, battery life, a powerful display, and a long-term update promise; you prefer a phone with a slightly smaller form factor than the average size; you want access to some of Google's latest AI camera features, like AI photo editing and best take.

❌Skip this deal if: you don't like small phones and would rather spend more on one of the best Android phones with a large display; you need a phone with especially fast charging speeds, you utilize low-light photography often and you need an industry-leading camera.

The Google Pixel 9a is one of the best affordable phones out there today, especially because of its ridiculously long battery life and beautiful, compact display. Those who are already familiar with the Pixel ecosystem will also like the phone's user-friendly OS, and its seven-year update promise.

Google offers a couple of different battery modes on this phone, including Adaptive Battery for over 30 hours of battery life, or the Extreme Battery Saver mode, which the company says can yield up to 100 hours.

Performance is backed by a Google Tensor G4 CPU with up to 3.1 GHz speeds, as well as 8GB of RAM for better-than-average multitasking capabilities. It has an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 60 to 120Hz, making it a particularly suitable pick for gaming compared to other phones around this price point.

Ultimately, those who need something for under $400 out the door may want to consider this deal, especially if they're already Pixel users.

Every phone brand has its main line and a more affordable option. For OnePlus and Google right now, that's the OnePlus 15R vs. Google Pixel 9a. Both phones are value options in the line that sport premium features for Android users, including heavy integration of AI. Both are relatively new as well: the Google Pixel 9a launched in March 2025, and the OnePlus 15R in December 2025. How can you possibly choose between them? We're here to help.

OnePlus 15R vs. Google Pixel 9a: The basic specs

The OnePlus 15R has a 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 2,800 x 1,272 resolution and TÜV Rheinland Intelligent Eye Care 5.0 certification, and an impressive 165Hz refresh rate. The 1,800-nit peak brightness can drop to 1 nit as needed. Android Central's Harish Jonnalagadda says the screen is easy on the eyes. But he notes that it only supports 144Hz or 165Hz refresh rates in six game titles. For everything else, it's a basic 120Hz.

However, Nicholas Sutrich adds that after testing the phone, he found it uses the most flicker-free OLED he has ever seen, a huge selling point for those with sensitivities. He loves the brightness and outdoor visibility, both of which he describes as excellent, and appreciates the eye care features. He even goes so far as to call its screen one of the best in OLED tech.

Available in Charcoal Black or Mint Breeze with Velvet Glass technology, the OnePlus 15R features rounded corners and a redesigned camera bump that OnePlus says helps reduce hand fatigue when you hold the phone for long periods.

The massive 7,400mAh battery is a huge selling point, ensuring the phone lasts a long time and can run in harsh environments. It's made with OnePlus' Silicon NanoStack technology, with 15% silicon content for better energy density. It also supports 55W SUPERVOOC fast charging with the included charger, but can go up to 80W with the OnePlus SUPERVOOC 100W Dual Ports GaN Power Adapter Lite.

It does not, however, support wireless charging, which is one of the downsides of the excellent flagship OnePlus 15. It can retain 80% of its capacity after four years, ensuring long-term battery health. Jonnalagadda says the phone easily lasts for up to two days without issue, and even a day and a half with heavy use.

Like the OnePlus 15, it's ultra durable, meeting not only an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, but also IP66, IP69, and IP69K. This ensures that the phone can withstand submersion, high-pressure water jets at close range, and higher temperatures. So, from the hot tub to the backyard water gun fight, it can handle it.

You get 256GB or 512GB storage, the latter only in the Charcoal Black finish, and you can pair it with the Sandstone or hole-pattern magnetic case. You'll get four years of software updates and six years of security updates.

Overall, Jonnalagadda finds the design to be a downgrade, except for an Electric Violet finish option available only in India. He finds that the Panda glass it uses isn’t as resilient as Corning Gorilla Glass either, despite the tremendous IP ratings.

The Google Pixel 9a comes in Iris, Peony, Porcelain, or Obsidian and employs a composite matte back and satin metal finish. It has a smaller 6.3-inch OLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass Actua and a 2,424 x 1,080 resolution, with a 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It's much brighter at up to 2,700 nits. Michael Hicks says in his review that it's comfortable to see outdoors with decent color saturation. While watching videos side by side with the step-up Google Pixel 9, he didn't notice any difference in color accuracy or contrast.

With hard edges and an IP68 dust- and water-resistant rating, it's the first Pixel device without the traditional camera housing, which affords a larger battery and an ultra-slim design. Hicks opines that the camera housing is almost too subtle, but appreciates that it's so thin that it prevents wobbling and that the phone is incredibly lightweight. The design change was also worth it to cram in a bigger battery.

Its battery is above average at 5,100mAh, which easily lasts over a day, says Hicks, even with heavy use, and can stretch to two days with casual use. But that still doesn't hold a candle to the OnePlus 15R. Still, you get a rated 30+ hours per charge, which can be extended to 100 hours, or just over 4 days, with Extreme Battery Saver mode. It supports fast charging, but only at 23W. While it has wireless charging, it's not useful for anything but top-ups and overnight at a snail's pace, 7.5W.

Get the Google Pixel 9a in 128GB or 256GB storage options, even less than the OnePlus 15R. Both devices are non-expandable, so you'll have to rely on the cloud beyond the internal storage capacities. The Google Pixel 9a does come with a three-month trial subscription to Google One that includes additional cloud storage, along with three months of YouTube Premium and six months of Fitbit Premium if you have a companion smartwatch like the Pixel Watch 4. So, those are some worthwhile incentives.

Like all the latest Google Pixel phones, you get seven years of software and security updates. But note that as the phone ages, you may not get all the new features that come with a Pixel Drop.

OnePlus 15R vs. Google Pixel 9a: The specs

Let's breakdown the basic specs of the two Android phones to see how they compare side by side.

OnePlus 15R vs. Google Pixel 9a: AI and overall performance

The OnePlus 15 relies heavily on OnePlus' AI experiences. It is the first phone to launch globally with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 mobile chipset, which affords a faster CPU and GPU and better AI performance overall, but is a step-down from the Elite chip in the OnePlus 15. AI is handled by OnePlus AI and the Plus Mind system alongside integration with Google Gemini.

OxygenOS 16, based on Android 16, is powered by Intelligent AI, which includes the new Plus Mind, Plus Key, and Mind Space. With this feature, you can press the Plus Key or swipe up with three fingers from the bottom of the phone to take a screenshot and store it in the Mind Space. The Mind Space area is where you can bookmark key things, like ideas, web pages, e-mails, images, inspiration, key dates, or details. You can even save voice notes.

From there, you can build ideas, even tap into them with Gemini Live with a simple prompt to do things like build a trip itinerary based on everything you saved, or a summary for a presentation. The phone comes with a three-month trial to Google AI Pro. Supporting all these AI goodies alongside the processor is 12GB LPDDR5X Ultra RAM. There's also UFS 4.1, which ensures fast speeds when transferring or copying data.

In terms of usability, the phone has several features designed to ensure smooth navigation. Parallel Processing 2.0 facilitates smoother app switching, navigation, and multitasking. The Touch Response Chip supports a 3,200Hz touch sampling rate, so the phone is responsive to your commands, a key feature for multitaskers, content creators, and gamers. With dual app control, you can open and interact with two apps on the screen at once, a feature great for multitaskers.

As for gamers, this phone features a high-end cooling system designed to prevent overheating during the most intense activities, like gaming. The 360° Cryo Velocity Cooling System includes a Cryo Velocity Screen Cooler under the display for thermal protection, along with the Cryo Velocity 3D Vapor Chamber to cool down the high-end processor.

There's also a Cryo Velocity Back Cover for additional cooling. However, Jonnalagadda says all of this doesn't do much to curtail overheating in his experience. What's more, most games are still limited to 60fps, so while the phone performs well while gaming, it finds that it isn't hitting its full potential.

Sutrich disagrees, however, saying that in the few games he played, like Call of Duty Mobile and Clash of Clans, he was blown away by the smoothness and responsiveness, even with games that don't support the 165Hz display refresh mode. Given these differing opinions, it might be worth trying the phone for a few minutes in-store to gauge how you feel while gaming.

Comparatively, the Google Pixel 9a offers a hefty AI experience as well, with deep integration with Google Gemini. Loaded with Android 15 OS at launch, it's powered by the Google Tensor G4 processor, ensuring a smooth, pleasant experience. There's also the Titan M2 security chip. The 8GB RAM is a step down, but this phone is still pretty responsive and powerful.

Naturally, it comes with Google Gemini fully built in and all its features, including assistance with everything from writing to snapping pictures, inquiries, and more. There are useful add-ons like Pixel Call Assist, Clear Calling, Call Screen, and Hold for Me. Some new features in the latest Pixel Drop for the Pixel 9a include AI summaries for chats, photo remixing, expanded Scam Detection, and a unified search bar.

The phone also affords plenty of personalization through things like theme packs, Wicked: For Good ones being the latest offering in the November 2025 Pixel Drop. For gamers and multitaskers, there's a larger vapor chamber to keep the phone cool that Hicks says pays off in benchmarks. Also worth mentioning are safety features like car crash detection, emergency SOS, crisis alerts, VPN by Google, an auto-lock option if the phone is lost or stolen, and built-in anti-malware and anti-phishing features.

OnePlus 15R vs. Google Pixel 9a: Cameras and camera performance

When it comes to taking photos, the phone cameras have similar feature sets. The OnePlus 15R has a 50MP primary camera sensor, the same as the OnePlus 15, along with a 32MP front camera with autofocus and an 8MP ultra-wide camera with a 112° field of view. It's powered by the OnePlus DetailMax Engine and includes the same features as the OnePlus 15, including Ultra Clear Mode, Clear Burst, and Clear Night Engine. You can also shoot 4K videos at 120 fps.

Enjoy all the useful photo editing and fixing features you have come to know and love on OnePlus phones, including removing distracting objects, unblurring photos, and even removing reflections.

Jonnalagadda points out that the OnePlus 15R is missing a telephoto lens, a marked difference from the previous generation OnePlus 13R that has a 50MP telephoto lens, making that phone arguably the better option in this department. Overall, he says the phone's cameras don't perform as well as the OnePlus 13R, with the exception of the great selfie camera. He finds the primary camera decent enough, but he can't get over the omission of a telephoto lens.

By comparison, the Google Pixel 9a has a 48MP wide-angle primary camera, a 13MP front camera, and a 13MP ultrawide-angle camera. It's worth mentioning that it doesn't have a telephoto lens either, but it does have Super Res Zoom.

Google's photo editing features that leverage AI are where the real magic comes in. There are options like Add Me to add the photographer to a group photo so no one is left out of a shot, Best Take for combining the best expressions from a sequence of photos, and Magic Eraser, Unblur, and more.

One of the latest features is personalized edits in Google Photos, like removing sunglasses or hats and fixing smiles. But this is done through the Help me edit features in Google Photos, which you can access from other phones, too.

Hicks says the cameras capture vivid colors and decent detail in good lighting. But without optical zoom and with a smaller sensor that captures less light, it's not as good as the Pixel 9 Pro. That's to be expected since that device is much more expensive.

The Macro Focus mode, however, is stunning, activating by default as soon as you get up close to a subject. Image recognition also smartly focuses on the entire subject versus a tiny spot when in this mode. Overall, he says the phone's camera strength is with Macro Focus, and its weakness is with low-light photography and a lack of optical zoom.

OnePlus 15R vs. Google Pixel 9a: Which should you choose?

If you're choosing between the OnePlus 15R and the Google Pixel 9a specifically, the answer is simple: go with the Google Pixel 9a. Jonnalagadda doesn't mince words when he calls the OnePlus 15R "bland and forgettable," adding that it "isn't worth your time or money." This isn't to say you should ignore OnePlus phones altogether.

If you're looking for a value option, the previous-generation OnePlus 13R is the better choice and offers tremendous bang for the buck. If you have a bit more dough to spare, upgrade to the OnePlus 15. But between these two devices, the better value is the Google Pixel 9a.

With that said, you may also want to wait for the rumored Google Pixel 10a, though the Pixel 9a will still be a current phone for some time. It's a solid device that Hicks calls "the Energizer Pixel" and still ranks as the best budget Android phone, with the OnePlus 13R a solid second choice. You'd be happy with either of these phones. When it comes to the OnePlus 15R, however, if you take the advice of Jonnalagadda, skip this one and go back a generation or spend a bit more for the OnePlus 15. It's a fantastic device worth the extra few hundred bucks.

What you need to know

• Some Pixel users report a bug where photos disappear after background processing and never show up in Google Photos.
• The issue appears after rapid photo capture, possibly when the camera app fails to finish post-processing properly.
• Affected devices reportedly include Pixel 8a, Pixel 9 series, and even the latest Pixel 10 models.

Some Google Pixel owners are reporting a strange bug on their devices that is preventing certain photos from being saved properly.

Google Pixel owners report bugs with their devices quite frequently. Recently, Pixel users on the Android 16 QPR3 beta reported a jittery camera issue, while many Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 users have also complained about speakerphone problems.

Now, another issue affecting some Google Pixel owners has surfaced, and this time it is stopping certain photos from being saved on the device.

Many users on Reddit have started reporting that pictures they took using their phones went "missing" and are not appearing in the Photos app (via Android Authority). A user named Blazgamer initially reported that their photos disappeared after receiving a notification saying that a few photos were being processed in the background.

Similarly, another user, portmafia9719, reported a related issue where their device got stuck in a backup and processing loop, after which some photos were gone and could not be found. The user reported that these missing files didn't show up in the gallery, trash, or anywhere else on the device, and instead seem to have gotten "lost" during processing.

This Pixel bug can cause photos to vanish entirely

Some users theorize that the issue occurs when you take a large number of photos in a very short period of time. One explanation suggests that when the camera app gets stuck and does not complete post-processing, it eventually clears everything from memory and fails to write the files to storage.

However, there is currently no way to verify this. The bug appears to be affecting not just one, but multiple Pixel models, ranging from the Pixel 8a to the latest Pixel 10 Pro.

It isn't yet clear how widespread the issue is, but there are quite a few reports on Reddit, suggesting that at least a small portion of users may be affected. I personally have not faced this issue on my Pixel 10 Pro so far, but several users claim they have lost photos due to this bug.

We have reached out to Google for a comment on the issue. If more users continue to report this problem, the company may take action and release a fix. But for now, there is no fix for this issue out there. We will update this story if (and when) we hear back from Google.

Black Friday is a great time to buy a new smartphone, but not everyone wants to spend flagship-level money. Many of us are totally fine with a budget phone as long as it gets the job done, and that's why I've been loving the Pixel 9a since its launch in March 2025.

The Pixel 9a brings many of the features you find on flashy flagship Pixel phones, but at a lower price, and this Black Friday, it's getting even cheaper. Right now, you can grab the Pixel 9a for $150 off, which means you can pick it up for just $349.

At this price, it's not only the best value a Pixel offers but also one of the best budget smartphones you can buy this Black Friday. Having used the Pixel 9a extensively this year, I can confidently say it gives you all the features you'd want from a Google phone at a price that won't burn a hole in your pocket.

• The best 25 deals for Android users during Amazon's Black Friday sale

✅Recommended if: You want a compact Pixel with a great primary camera, clean software, and reliable AI features at a price that's far lower than flagship Pixel phones.

❌Skip this deal if: You expect flagship-grade extras, since there's no telephoto lens, no high-end zoom, and the bezels around the display are fairly thick.

The best perk of owning a Pixel is the clean software and timely updates, and that's exactly what the Pixel 9a delivers. As soon as Google releases updates, the Pixel 9a gets them too. It was one of the first phones to receive Android 16, and thanks to the Tensor G4 chipset, it'll get the same seven years of OS updates as the other phones in the Pixel 9 series.

I personally use my Pixel 9a as a beta device to test new Android versions, and at this price, you might want to consider doing the same if you want the latest Android experience without risking your daily driver.

Apart from that, you get great battery life as well, something we can't say about all Pixel phones. The Pixel 9a packs a 5,100 mAh battery that easily lasts a full day without reaching for a charger. Plus, you get the signature Pixel camera with consistent results in all conditions, something most budget phones simply can't match.

Sure, there are downsides to an A-series phone. For example, the bezels around the Pixel 9a's display are fairly thick, and there's no telephoto camera on the back, which means no optical zoom apart from the 2x crop on the main sensor. But these are expected limitations for a budget device.

All that said, if you're looking for a new smartphone this Black Friday without spending too much, or want to gift someone a phone without worrying about fancy flagship features, the Pixel 9a is more than good enough, especially considering it'll be supported long term.

More Black Friday 2025 - quick links

• Best Buy: major discounts on Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: official Black Friday discounts on tablets, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
  More Black Friday coverage
• The best Google Pixel deals of Black Friday (so far)
• The best Samsung deals of Black Friday (so far)
• The best Motorola deals of Black Friday (so far)

So you snagged that great OnePlus 13 deal and saved $200 on one of the best Android phones.

Don't waste your savings on overpriced extras; let's capitalize on the moment and snag some affordable, must-have add-ons. I've rounded up some of the best of the best accessories that will upgrade your new phone experience, and you won't feel bad that you spent your money on them.

We've been rounding up many of these accessories, so make sure you check out what's already discounted for Black Friday. Don't wait for next week, start shopping now to fashion your new OnePlus phone. Don't just shop, shop smartly!

More Black Friday 2025 - quick links

• Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
  More Black Friday coverage
• The best Google Pixel deals of Black Friday
• The best Samsung deals of Black Friday
• The best Motorola deals of Black Friday

The Google Pixel phone deals this Black Friday are hot and spicy, and I wouldn't be surprised if you've already bought yourself a new phone.

With any shiny new phone you'll want to accessorize, so I've put together a small list of things I think pair really well with that new device. Whether it's a new smart watch, a new case, a charger, or headphones, this small list are some of the best deals out there.

Don't forget that many of the following accessories are also about to be (or are already) discounted for Black Friday, so now's a great time to start shopping if you're trying to optimize your new Pixel device. Don't just shop, shop smartly!

More Black Friday 2025 - quick links

• Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
  More Black Friday coverage
• The best Google Pixel deals of Black Friday
• The best Samsung deals of Black Friday
• The best Motorola deals of Black Friday

Google's Pixel is far from the best-selling smartphone. It will never be the best-selling smartphone unless Google builds a model under $300. But its sales have spiked since 2022 in ways that any company making consumer devices would love to see.

I'm not going to go over all the numbers; you can read those here. I want to point out that a brand that sold less than 1% of "premium" devices in the U.S. is now selling about 7% of those same phones. That's a 13,900% increase (% change = today-2022/change if you want to do the math yourself), and it's astounding even though the number started so low to begin with. Statistics are fun. (Editor's note: No, they're not.)

So how did Google do it? What about a Pixel makes 7% of phone shoppers want one?

Because it's not the iPhone

Of course, I can't ask the millions of people who bought a Pixel why they chose it, but I think I know some of the reasons. The first is that it's not the iPhone or a copy of the iPhone.

I know, I know, longtime Android users decree that the Pixel (and any other phone they aren't using) is just an iPhone clone. They're wrong. Looks alone mean nothing; is the iPhone a clone of the Nexus 4, antenna lines and all? Nope.

Some things just work. Smart companies utilize these tools, even if they're trying to invent a new approach in the background. Size, shape, and camera placement are all pretty similar across devices for a reason.

That's why companies aren't talking about their "unique" device corners or glass edges. Remember when Samsung tried that and it flopped? What they are talking about is what the device can do.

We all have to admit they oversell these things whenever they're up on a stage talking about them, but you can not deny that the Pixel, starting around the eighth generation, has branched off into a slightly different kind of phone. One that does a lot of the thinking for you, if you want, and can even make decisions on your behalf. They tell us we really, really want that.

Other phones can likely do the same, but the fact that the Pixel is ready to do it out of the box is drilled into our consumer minds, and anything we see or hear about it from Google. The iPhone is not. It might not ever be. Apple has an idea of what it wants from an iPhone, and the company is stubborn. That's what it will make, and it will not try to chase the features of the Google Pixel.

The two devices are very different once you get past them being rectangular, glass, and metal.

That's also why the Pixel is eating Samsung's sales and not Apple's. It might be easy to switch from Apple to Google and vice versa, but nobody is doing it. The process might be easy, but years' worth of paid media and apps, gigabytes of online storage, and your (almost) complete online identity aren't just coming with you.

I've used Android since the very first Android phone, the T-Mobile G1. It would cost me several thousand dollars to switch to Apple and buy everything I would have to leave behind, and countless hours of transferring what I could bring with me.

I ain't doing all that. Ain't nobody got time for that. You shouldn't do all that without a very good reason, either. If you want something different but not too different, consider getting rid of your Galaxy phone and trying a Pixel. There's nothing to switch unless you tied it to a Samsung account (Don't do that).

One is no better than the other, but they are presented that way. I can tell you that I have a Galaxy S24 Ultra and a Pixel 9 Pro XL on my desk in front of me right now, and other than "exclusive" features, they can both do the same things if you want them to. The companies sort of skip all that during any presentation.

It becomes something made just for you

Google makes a big deal over one thing, and you already know what that is: AI.

Love it or hate it, AI has everyone curious, and companies that excel in it, like Google, are capitalizing on that fact. Google quickly realized that instead of building all that fancy AI "uniqueness" into Android, it could sell its own products, touting them as the future you want.

I'm not sure if it really is the future we want or need, but Google wants me to think it is. My Pixel will morph into some amazing JerryPhone just by using it alongside all those advanced learning AI features, making it more personal, smarter, and made just for me.

I will admit that plenty of those little tricks are pretty neat. I'm going to bet that they are also tricks Apple could make Siri or Apple Intelligence do, or that Samsung could wrangle into Galaxy AI (and it's starting to do just that), and this is nothing unique to Google. In 2025, the "special hardware" needed to be an AI powerhouse is now inside every premium phone, no longer a Pixel-only affair.

This works because on the surface, it's true. Google does not stand up on a stage and tell lies about what the latest product it sells can and can't do. It will do everything advertised once you open the box.

Google just wants to make sure you know that it thinks this is more useful than what other products offer and dares you to try it and see for yourself. It's an opinion that Google is allowed to try to convince you to agree with. And it's working.

I'll go out on a limb and say that this trend will continue and Google will sell more Pixel phones next year than it sold this year. Smartphone enthusiasts always crave something new and innovative. When we hear the promises (which tend to be mostly true), we bite if we see a device at the right price, especially around the holidays, such as on Black Friday.

Eventually, Samsung or Apple will have something so new and so good we can't live without it, and we'll see things level out.

FAQ

Black Friday discounts keep coming in hot, and this time, we have dug up a Google Pixel deal that seems almost too good to be true. Amazon has dropped the price of the Pixel 9 so low that it is almost as if you're buying a budget phone, so be sure to grab this $200 off deal before your friends find it!

Even Mariah Carey has officially kicked off Christmas, so this could be your early gift for anyone who wants a reliable device with the latest Gemini features and consistent software support. You'll always get Google's newest OS updates, so you won't need to upgrade to a new device.

• See the full list of deals at Amazon

As for why you should be getting the Google Pixel 9, take it from someone who owns one: I'd say for its exceptional battery and storage. I'm really impressed with the Pixel 9's 4,700mAh battery; it handles a bunch of apps at once, like endless streaming and social media, without a problem. I use it for monitoring the baby camera for almost 9-10 hours daily, including playing songs on YouTube on loop for when my one-year-old starts to throw tantrums.

While the Pixel 9's lack of a telephoto lens is a minor drawback, its portrait images are still exceptional. It's my preferred device for capturing fleeting moments, like my baby's expression or when he's showing off a new skill, especially when my iPhone isn't readily available.

Check out our guide to the best Pixel deals of Black Friday 2025 for more savings on Google devices.

✅Recommended if: You're someone looking for a premium Google Pixel phone that gets you all the latest Gemini AI smarts, has an outstanding camera array with AI tools to enhance its performance, and boasts a great battery that could last you a full work day. You also don't have to worry about upgrading to a new device since it gets seven years of OS upgrades.

❌Skip this deal if: You're someone who wants faster charging, considering this phone takes around an hour to reach full charge. The standard Pixel 9 lacks a dedicated telephoto camera, which means it relies on digital zoom beyond the 2x mark.

One of the best features of owning an Android phone, especially when compared to an iPhone, is the seamless and straightforward process of connecting it to a laptop and transferring files.

That said, the Google Pixel 9 comes with pretty useful top-tier flagship features, thanks to its core strengths: a camera system with a 50MP main sensor and advanced AI editing tools like Magic Editor; the Tensor G4 chip that backs exclusive AI features like Gemini and Circle to Search. Additionally, the phone is extremely durable, with top-notch IP68 water resistance.

Black Friday is a month away, but I just uncovered a new T-Mobile deal on the Google Pixel 9a that's making the big sale weekend seem, well, a little unnecessary. It works like this: buy the midrange smartphone on "most" data plans at T-Mobile and the Big Three carrier will hook you up with $499.99 in promo credits over 24 months. 

That's enough to make the Google Pixel 9a completely free, no trade-in required! As if that wasn't enough, T-Mobile will also throw in a free pair of Google Pixel Buds 2a earbuds, an additional value of $129. Why go searching for Google Pixel deals this Black Friday when the early offers are already this good? 

Score an 'incredible' free phone AND some earbuds with T-Mobile's latest deal

The Google Pixel 9a is easily one of the best cheap Android phones on the market today, balancing an accessible price tag with the latest AI features and a ton of flagship-level specs. 

The midrange masterpiece boasts a lovely 6.3-inch pOLED display straight out of the gate, while under the hood you get a reliable 5,100mAh battery and the same Tensor G4 chipset that powers the rest of the Pixel 9 family. 

The phone also guarantees seven years of OS and security upgrades, plus you get that legendary AI-powered camera tech that made Google so famous in the Android phone space. 

Should I buy the Google Pixel 9a now or wait for Black Friday?

It depends on what you're looking for. If you prefer to buy your phones unlocked and can wait a few more weeks, it might be worth waiting to see what retailers like Amazon and Best Buy do with the Pixel 9a. The phone dropped to $364 during October Prime Day, for instance, and I wouldn't be surprised if it hit that same record low again when the Black Friday sales begin in earnest.

On the other hand, if you're already a T-Mobile subscriber and you don't mind adding a new line to your wireless service, then this Google Pixel 9a deal is a truly unmissable opportunity that no Black Friday sale can touch. 

When is Black Friday 2025?

Black Friday historically falls on the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, which means the 2025 event is set to occur on November 28th. That sale will be followed by Cyber Monday on December 1st, and you can expect that entire weekend to be packed full of various sale events. 

When does the Google Pixel 10a come out?

We've been following leaks and rumors surrounding the Pixel 10a for months now, and our sources indicate that the latest midrange masterpiece from Google will likely be unveiled in March 2026. This phone will probably boast the same $500 price tag as past A-series Pixel releases, plus it's sure to be equipped with the Tensor G5 chipset, great cameras, and all of the latest AI software features. Is it worth waiting six more months to buy the new Pixel 10a? The choice is yours, but I'd say that the Google Pixel 9a is a worthy investment in the meantime. 

What you need to know

• Official CAD renders of the Pixel 10a leak, showcasing a design similar to its predecessor.
• Pixel 10a may feature a slightly downgraded Tensor G4 chip and similar camera specs as Pixel 9a.
• Anticipated launch in March 2026 with an affordable price around $499.

Google's next budget device, the Pixel 10a, has been showing up in some leaks lately, but we may have just got our hands on official-looking CAD renders of the phone. The leak comes from Android Headlines claiming that the Pixel 10a will keep its predecessors' design, despite seeing some contradicting responses with the Pixel 9a.

The images show the alleged Pixel 10a in a bright blue like the Galaxy Z Fold 7's colorway, but the publication notes that this is just for display purposes only. That said, the CAD renders show off the device from several angles, giving us a good look at the device's controls, the overall design, as well as the display of the phone.

Right off the bat, we see that Google could be sticking to the seamless rear panel, letting go of the usual Pixel-esque camera bump for the pill-shaped floating camera island that houses two lenses, and the flash next to it, much like the Pixel 9a.

As for the 6.2-inch display, the renders also show slightly thinner bezels, which are almost hard to spot when placed next to the Pixel 9a. Volume buttons seem to be below the power button, with their placement remaining unchanged. It seems like Google will keep the camera's specs similar to its predecessor, so what's really going to be changing with this phone?

While it's too early to predict what the exact specs of the Pixel 10a could be, recent rumors suggest that it could be a bit of a downgrade from the flagship lineup. Considering the phone could show up with a "boosted" Tensor G4 chip, instead of the faster Tensor G5 on the Pixel 10 series. The publication also notes that the Pixel 10a will be the same size as the Pixel 9a, measuring 153.9 x 72.9 x 9mm.

So far, we know that Google would be sticking to a similar $499 price range for its next budget phone, considering Google aims to keep this series as affordable as possible. As for when it is set to launch, some leaks indicate that its debut will be "much earlier" than the Pixel 9a; however, we expect the tech giant to follow its usual timeline with an early spring launch in March 2026.

When I reviewed the Google Pixel 9a earlier this year, I expected to switch back to my Pixel 9 once I finished the test. But even though the 9a falls short in some ways, its fantastic battery life, comparable performance, and good cameras meant I felt no pressure to switch back. I still use the Pixel 9a as my daily driver.

With the Pixel 9a dropping 30% to $349 (30% off), $50 below its previous all-time low, now's an excellent time to grab one! Of course, the Pixel 9 is also 30% off, matching a previous all-time low of $549. But I would personally grab the Pixel 9a between those two, no questions asked! Either that or upgrade fully to the Pixel 10.

✅Recommended if: You want a phone that'll never die on you in the middle of the day; you like stock Android and Gemini, and appreciate knowing you'll get new features every summer; and you prefer a phone that's easier to hold than getting the biggest screen possible.

❌Skip this deal if: You want a phone with the best possible gaming performance; you're bothered by PWM sensitivity; or you want Pro-level camera sensors.

The Pixel 9a has topped our list of the best cheap Android phones since this spring, and I agree with that assessment. I can't understate how much I love the 9a battery life; I charge it so rarely that it takes me by surprise when the battery hits a new low. It's the main reason why I haven't swapped back to the Pixel 9, with its more normal battery life.

The Pixel 9a crushed the 8a with a much brighter display, better performance with less throttling, charging that's merely slow instead of painfully slow, and the aforementioned battery boost. It also gives you a really cool Macro mode for close-up photography, capturing a subject from inches away with minimal blur. It did very well in our Pixel 9a camera test.

Of course, the Pixel 9a does fall short of the Pixel 9, which has more RAM for on-device AI tricks and better camera sensors. So if you want to pay another $200, you definitely can! But I think you're getting diminishing returns and losing the battery life I love with the 9a. You may want to look instead at this free Pixel 10 Pro deal from T-Mobile if you really care about better performance.

Prime Day 2025 came and went just a few weeks ago, and I remember being confused that there weren't any tempting Google Pixel 9a deals. Well, better late than never, I suppose, as Amazon is now slashing 20% off the unlocked phone, knocking the price down to its lowest point ever recorded.

That's our favorite smartphone for students clocking in at just $399 for the 128GB version, no trade-in required and no strings attached. We've been seeing a lot of great back to school deals lately, but this Amazon offer truly takes the cake.  

✅Recommended if: you want a powerful smartphone that won't break the bank; you want a device with great battery life, cameras, and seven years of guaranteed software support. 

❌Skip this deal if: you need a phone with expandable storage; you suffer from PWM sensitivity; you can afford to spend a bit more on one of the best Android phones.

As described in our 4.5/5-star review, the Google Pixel 9a is basically the perfect example of a midrange masterpiece. Starting at $499 for the 128GB configuration, the device sports a bold design with IP68 ingress protection, a brilliant 6.3-inch pOLED display, and some of the best battery life found on any Pixel phone to date. 

You also get exceptional cameras for the price, flagship-level performance from the Tensor G4 chipset, and 8GB of RAM as standard. And of course, like the majority of the best phones released this year, the Google Pixel 9a guarantees seven years of OS and security upgrades.  

Sure, the Pixel 9a's charging is a bit slow and on-board AI features are limited, but these are small sacrifices when you consider the overall bang for the buck offered here. Thanks to this Pixel 9a Amazon deal, you're paying $400 less than you would for the base model Google Pixel 9 while enjoying a mostly indistinguishable experience. Feel free to compare the two phones to learn more, but if you're looking for a student-friendly smartphone today, this might be the best deal on the web. 

The Pixel 9a hit the scene this spring as an cheaper alternative to Google's flagship series, but a lower price tag also means that deals on the phone can be fairly uncommon. Fortunately, Visible is here to change all of that, offering $300 OFF the midrange masterpiece when you sign up for the Visible Plus Pro annual plan using the promo code DEALTIME. 

✅Recommended if: you want a sleek, flagship-level smartphone with great cameras and long software support; you don't mind paying for a full year of wireless service in advance; you need premium data and international perks.

❌Skip this deal if: you prefer unlocked phones or trade-in deals; you're happy with your current wireless carrier; you don't need a lot of perks from your phone company.

Don't let its striking appearance fool you: the Pixel 9a is quite similar to its flagship counterparts when you look under the hood. Just like the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, the Pixel 9a is powered by the Tensor G4 chipset and comes with seven years of OS and security upgrades, plus you get Gemini AI features, a 6.3-inch pOLED display, and a remarkably long-lasting battery. At $499, the phone was already quite well-priced, but this deal could knock the Pixel 9a to as low as $199 when you use the promo code.

The catch is that you'll need to pay for a full year of the Visible Plus Pro plan to receive the savings, which will set you back $450 before the phone is added to your cart. Considering that the plan usually costs $45 per month, you're actually getting two months free by purchasing the annual plan, and that doesn't even include the value of the discounted smartphone.

So yes, there are some strings attached, but if you've been looking to change your wireless setup anyway, this Visible deal presents an excellent opportunity. The plan in question also gets you unlimited talk, text, and premium data on Verizon's legendary 5G Ultra Wideband network, plus free calls and texts to over 85 countries worldwide, an unlimited mobile hotspot, and more.

After all, there's a reason we called Visible one of our favorite MVNO carriers (even if it isn't technically an MVNO). And of course, there's also something really nice about making a single payment today and not worrying about your phone bill again until 2026. The choice is yours. 

Amazon Prime Day is right around the corner, and it's always tempting to spend money on alluring deals, simply because they exist. Whether it’s Prime Day or Black Friday, I find myself buying things I normally wouldn’t and that are normally out of my price range, because who knows when the next time that TV or laptop will be this cheap?

It’s just as easy to spend a lot of money on a smartphone. My favorite phone this year is the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025, a phone that costs $1,299, or just as much as the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Of course, they go on sale every now and then, but will be discounted by a couple of hundred dollars or even more if you trade in a phone.

But to be honest, you don’t need to spend a ton of money on a phone to have a great device. Affordable phones keep getting better every year, with companies like Motorola and Google offering more for less. At Moto G or Pixel A-series prices, you don’t even have to wait for a sale; these phones offer plenty of value year-round at full MSRP. A Prime Day discount would just be the cherry on top.

Packed with specs

I recently reviewed the Moto G Stylus 2025, and I was thoroughly impressed with just how good a phone it is. At $399, it offers specs that rival those of many flagship Android phones, such as the Galaxy S25, and features a stylish vegan leather design that stands out from the crowd. It comes with a 120Hz Super HD OLED display, an all-day 5,000mAh battery, and 68W charging that tops up the phone faster than an episode of “Andor.”

The 50MP camera is also better than you’d expect from a $400 phone. Photo quality hasn’t exactly been Motorola’s strong suit, so it’s good to see the company improving on this front, even on its lower-end phones.

Overall, the Moto G Stylus 2025 is a much better phone than you’d expect, and even includes some AI features like Circle to Search and Sketch to Image, both of which work great with the improved stylus pen you get built into the phone.

But it’s not just the Stylus; the more affordable Moto G 2025 is also surprisingly good for the price. As Android Central’s Nick Sutrich points out in his Moto G 2025 review, this $300 phone features a bright, eye-friendly display, a large battery, and an improved camera compared to its predecessor.

If you’re a Motorola fan, either of these 2025 phones would be a great option. But sometimes, having the most impressive specs isn't everything, and Motorola isn’t the only company with phones that are easy on your wallet.

All the AI for less

While the Moto G Stylus may have some impressive specs, it doesn’t have much in the way of AI. That may be fine for many, but if you want the latest features from Google at half the cost of most flagships, the Pixel 9a is probably the phone for you.

I reviewed the base Pixel 9 last year and really enjoyed it; it really felt close to being a Pro-level phone. However, the $500 Pixel 9a might make you think twice about spending that extra $300. That’s because aside from a few spec changes and a newer design, these two phones are incredibly similar.

You get many of the same AI features, the Pixel 9a gets first dibs on new software updates like Android 16 and beyond, and you get a fairly impressive dual camera system with the performance expected from a Google phone.

Android Central’s Michael Hick’s calls the Pixel 9a the “Energizer phone,” because battery life goes on and on, which is a bit part of the new design. And that’s a great thing because charging speeds aren’t necessarily the best, but that’s less of a concern when the phone lasts all day and then some.

You also won’t find many smartphones this affordable with software support like the Pixel 9a, with a promise of updates for seven years.

The specs may not be the strongest, but you still get a flagship-level Tensor G4 chipset. This brings tons of AI features straight from Google, from Gemini to Pixel Studio, and all the AI camera or photo editing features. Pixels are fun phones, and you don’t have to spend a lot to get access to the best of Google.

Spend wisely this Prime Day

It’s always tempting to buy the latest and greatest smartphone, but as I’ve learned over the past couple of years, a smartphone half as expensive can be just as good, depending on your needs. Beyond Motorola and Google, companies like OnePlus and Samsung offer devices that undercut many of their flagship counterparts while still offering flagship-like specs and experiences.

I’m not saying don’t buy that Razr Ultra, Galaxy S25 Ultra, or whatever other Ultra you’ve had on your radar for some time, especially if you end up finding a good Prime Day deal on it. However, remember that there will always be some good options available that won't hurt your wallet as much, deal or no deal.

T-Mobile deals on Android phones aren't exactly unheard of, but it's unusual to find an offer that hooks you up with both a free device and a great accessory, just for kicks. Add a line with an eligible data plan and that's exactly what will happen, as the carrier will send you a free Google Pixel 9a AND a pair of Pixel Buds A-Series, no trade-in required. 

Most T-Mobile plans will get you the max credit when you add a line, plus the carrier is waiving the $35 activation fee for a limited time, so you're literally not paying a cent on these devices. 

Get the best budget Android phone for FREE at T-Mobile

✅Recommended if: you'd like to get set up with a great phone and quality pair of earbuds in one fell swoop; you want a long-lasting smartphone with great cameras and useful Gemini AI software features; you're sick of all the trade-in deals.

❌Skip this deal if: you're happy with your current wireless plan; you prefer the simplicity of unlocked phones; you'd rather invest your extra cash into a premium Android phone. 

In case you weren't familiar, the Pixel 9a continues Google's legacy of producing great phones that offer the flagship experience while costing under 500 bucks. You get the same Tensor G4 chipset that powers the Pixel 9 Pro, plus a large 5,100mAh battery, lovely 6.3-inch AMOLED display, and great cameras that could rival any Android phone on the market. And like the rest of Google's flagship lineup, the Pixel 9a guarantees seven years of OS and security upgrades. 

Of course, as a midrange device, you can expect slower charging speeds than some of Google's more premium smartphones, and the 8GB of RAM falls behind some of the Pixel 9a's biggest competitors, including the OnePlus 13R. 

Are these issues going to be a dealbreaker for you? That's totally your call, but if you want an outstanding T-Mobile deal that gives you multiple pieces of solid Google tech for free, this offer is worth some careful consideration. 

Motorola's Edge series is supposed to be the company's flagship tier of phones, but it has been losing its edge (pun intended) over the past few generations, at least in North America. Motorola launched the Edge 2025 in May with upgrades given to the camera, battery, processor, and display. It even has a dedicated AI Key, similar to what we saw on the Motorola Razr Ultra. The single RAM and storage variant costs $550 in the U.S., which doesn't sound too bad at first, but there's also heavy competition to consider.

The Google Pixel 9a is currently one of the best cheap phones in this segment, and the Motorola Edge 2025 goes directly up against it. The Pixel offers great AI features, years of software updates, fantastic battery life, and a more compact form factor. Deciding between these two devices can be tricky if you're not familiar with their offerings, but this Motorola Edge 2025 vs. Pixel 9a comparison can help.

Motorola Edge 2025 vs. Google Pixel 9a: Design & display

The Motorola Edge 2025 follows a similar design language to the rest of the Moto G series, which launched in 2025. This means you get a vegan leather back panel, a four-lens cutout in the camera island, and tapering edges for a slim feel. In the U.S., the Edge 2025 comes in just a single color called Deep Forest, and just one variant with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. If you ask me, the limited choice of colors and storage is an indication that Motorola isn't entirely confident about this phone.

The Edge 2025 feels great to hold and use thanks to the vegan leather back panel. It's also quite slim at under 8mm in thickness, and light at just 181g. Motorola has enhanced the ingress protection this time, raising it to an IP69 rating. This puts it on the same level as pricier phones like the OnePlus 13.

The brightness of the 6.7-inch pOLED display has been bumped up to 4,500 nits, and the resolution is still solid, giving it a pixel density of roughly 444 ppi. The scratch resistance has also improved, thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. The downside is that Motorola has reduced the refresh rate to 120Hz, down from 144Hz on the 2024 Edge. In practice, the lower refresh rate is not much of a deal-breaker as the display holds up well under sunlight and is very responsive for tasks like gaming.

The Pixel 9a comes in a multitude of colors and, like the Edge 2025, doesn't use glass for the back panel. This makes it less prone to damage in the event of a fall. Google has taken a different design approach, though, with flat sides and a minimal rear camera bump. The phone is also a lot more compact and pocketable thanks to the smaller display.

Speaking of which, you get a 6.3-inch pOLED panel with a similar pixel density as the Moto, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The scratch protection is only Gorilla Glass 3, which is inferior to what Motorola uses. The maximum brightness is also a lot lower at just 1,800 nits. While we didn't face any major issues using the 9a outdoors, Google still uses the flicker-heavy PWM dimming method for lowering the brightness, which can cause headaches if you're eyes are sensitive to it. There are also visibly thicker bezels around the display, which isn't very flattering to look at.

Motorola Edge 2025 vs. Google Pixel 9a: Hardware & specs

The Motorola Edge 2025 retails for $550 in the U.S. for the sole 256GB storage variant. You can get it unlocked or via your carrier, where the latter seems like the better route to buy it. The phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra SoC, which is a slight improvement from the Snapdragon powering the 2024 Edge model, but it's not fast enough. During our review, we frequently encountered lag and stuttering when using apps or navigating the interface.

Even Minecraft on the Vibrant Visuals setting wouldn't run smoothly. The other main reason this feels overpriced in the U.S. is that Motorola sells the same phone under a different name (Edge 60/Fusion) in other countries like India for nearly half the cost (Rs. 23,000 or roughly $270).

Motorola has beefed up the cameras for sure if you compare the Edge 2025 vs. the 2024 Edge. We now have a 50MP ultrawide that also doubles as a macro camera, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. There's even a 50MP selfie camera with autofocus, which should capture more detailed images than the Pixel 9a. Motorola has managed to offer a slightly larger 5,200mAh battery in the Edge 2025 with an insanely quick 68W fast wired charging. There's even 15W wireless charging.

The Google Pixel 9a starts at $499 for 128GB of storage and $599 for 256GB. Comparing the same storage tiers of both phones, the Edge 2025 does come out a bit cheaper, but it's still not enough. The Pixel 9a has a more potent Tensor G4 SoC, which delivers better performance for AI tasks, apps, and gaming. When we tested it, the 9a ran flawlessly with no lag or stuttering issues.

The Pixel 9a also has a great set of cameras. Despite the lower resolution than the Edge 2025, Google's post-processing is far ahead of Motorola's capabilities. This isn't the best phone for zoom photography since it lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, but it's great for pretty much everything else.

Battery life is one of the strong suits of the Pixel 9a, thanks to the massive capacity. You should easily be able to get nearly two full days of usage out of this. Charging speeds are not the best when compared to the Motorola, sadly. The 9a has an ancient 23W fast charging over wire and measly 7.5W with a wireless charger.

Motorola Edge 2025 vs. Google Pixel 9a: Software

The Motorola Edge 2025 ships with Android 15, but will be getting just two OS upgrades and three years of security patches. That's a bit low even for a $550 phone since the Pixel 9a is supported for seven years. The Edge 2025 comes with some of the new Moto AI features that debuted with the Motorola Razr Ultra earlier this year. Some of the notable ones include Catch Me Up and AI Playlist. These features can be accessed via the dedicated AI key, and many of them are pretty useful.

The Pixel 9a does not have a dedicated AI button, but the AI features are far more impressive. It shipped with Android 15 but has since received Android 16, and it stands to get seven years of OS and security updates. The 9a supports some of the newer AI features like Add Me, Astrophotography, and Macro Focus. The phone runs a slightly watered-down version of Gemini, called Gemini Nano, for on-device AI tasks. It's still highly functional, but certain features like Pixel Screenshots or Call Notes will not work.

Motorola Edge 2025 vs. Google Pixel 9a: Which one should you buy?

If you live in a country like the U.S., where the Motorola Edge 2025 and Pixel 9a are similarly priced, you should put your money toward the Pixel. It's a more powerful phone that's more pocketable, has way longer software updates, superb battery life, and a unique design.

The Edge 2025 is simply too expensive in the U.S. for what it offers, and only makes sense if you get it at a heavy subsidy via your carrier, or during a sale. Even so, keep in mind that the processor is a bit weak for gaming, you're only getting two OS upgrades, and it looks just like any other Moto G series phone.

The Edge 2025 does have its appeal in countries like India, where it sells for nearly half the price. Suddenly, these shortcomings don't seem that bad, and one can make a case for it.

What you need to know

• Google's new battery health feature aims to extend the lifespan of Pixel phone batteries by adjusting voltage and charging based on usage.
• The feature, uncovered in a Pixel 9 APK teardown, will be found within battery health settings and may initially be optional for Pixel phones but not on Pixel 9a.
• The rollout of the battery health feature is anticipated with the Android 16 release this summer.

Google is likely to introduce the much-awaited battery health feature on Pixel phones. While the company announced the feature with the Pixel 9a with the rollout expected later this year, new findings showcase a sneak peek at what to expect.

APK teardown specialist AssembleDebug (via TheSpAndroid) has managed to activate the feature on Pixel 9 and has shared the screenshots of the same. It is said to be buried under the Battery health settings right beneath the Charging optimization preference on the Pixel phone. It likely be an optional feature as it can be either enabled or disabled. However, when it rolls out to the Pixel 9a, it likely won't be optional.

As the name indicates, enabling the feature helps manage long-term battery health and performance. The feature description further explains, "as your battery ages, you may notice slight changes in charging performance and battery capacity. Batteries are consumable components that age over time and last fewer hours between charges. Replacement is recommended for aged batteries."

Primarily, the new software feature will be adjusting the battery's maximum voltage in stages that start at 200 charge cycles and eventually to 1000 charge cycles to help stabilize "battery performance and aging."

As the battery ages, the feature will tune the phone charging speed per the adjusted battery capacity. The feature's settings, however, aren't customizable by the user, notes the search giant in an accompanying support page. To put it short, the assistance feature ensures your Pixel phone runs as smoothly as possible with the battery before the time comes to replace it.

According to AssembleDebug, the feature is still not rolling out officially but might soon come to some Pixel phones through Android 16 this summer. The recent Settings Services app on the tested Pixel 9 seems to have added the necessary parameters for the battery health assistant feature, which only indicates the rollout is sooner than later.

• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T

Budget-conscious buyers often look to Google's A-series lineup of Pixel phones for a great deal instead of buying a standard flagship model at full price. While that can be a sound strategy, it doesn't always get you the best value. There's no doubt the recently-released Google Pixel 9a is a solid smartphone for $500, but it can quickly become overshadowed by the regular Pixel 9 at the right price.

Now that early Memorial Day deals are here, the base-model Pixel 9 has finally hit the perfect price. It's 25% off at Amazon, bringing the cost under $600 and shaving nearly $200 off the usual sticker price.

I've tested the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9a side-by-side for weeks, and I'm absolutely certain it's worth paying an extra $100 for the full-fledged Pixel 9 instead of settling for the cheaper model.

• See the 20 best Android deals from Amazon's Memorial Day sale

✅Recommended if: you value increased performance and on-device AI capabilities; you want a stylish and premium design; you need excellent nighttime photography.

❌Skip this deal if: you're not willing to pay more than $500; you don't like an over-processed colors; you want the absolute best battery life.

It's easy to think that the Google Pixel 9a and the more-expensive Pixel 9 are too similar, as both have nearly-identical screens and the exact same Tensor G4 processor. However, there's more to the story. The budget Pixel 9a is the winner in battery capacity, but the more premium Pixel 9 takes the crown in just about every other area. For most people, it's absolutely worth paying only $100 more during this sale to upgrade to the standard Pixel 9.

Why the Google Pixel 9 runs laps around the Pixel 9a

There are subjective reasons you might want to pick the Pixel 9 over the Pixel 9a, like slimmer display bezels, a premium glass back, and the iconic Pixel camera bar. It's true that the Pixel 9 is the most premium-feeling Pixel generation I've ever used, but design differences are easy to overlook if you're trying to save a few dollars.

Putting those aside, the concerning part about buying a Pixel 9a for $500 is the phone's longevity. Google equipped the Pixel 9a with just 8GB of RAM, while the rest of the Pixel 9 series gets 12GB of memory. This decision inherently limits the Pixel 9a's potential. While it is guaranteed to get seven years of software support, it's reasonable to expect the cheaper model to miss out on new features due to hardware limitations.

In fact, the Pixel 9a is more limited than the Pixel 9 straight out of the box. The phone's smaller available memory means that it can only run the Gemini Nano XXS model instead of the Gemini Nano XS model the Pixel 9 can handle. This has real-world consequences: you won't be able to use handy features like Pixel Screenshots or Call Notes on the Pixel 9a.

These are just the feature omissions on day one, and there will be likely more to follow as Google ships more updates for Pixel phones. AI tasks specifically require a lot of memory for on-device processing, and the Pixel 9a can't handle these as well as the Pixel 9. By paying only $100 more for the Pixel 9 today, you're not just buying the features available today — you're future-proofing your device for all the ones guaranteed to arrive in future Android OS upgrades.

Other benefits, like a 50MP main camera sensor that's significantly larger the one offered on the Pixel 9a, make the Pixel 9 a slam-dunk purchase at this price point. Keep in mind, the Pixel 9 costs around $800 at full price. When the smartphone is available at its full retail price, it's completely reasonable to save $300 to buy the Pixel 9a instead.

However, when the difference in price between the Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9a is only $100, it's a no-brainer. The flagship Pixel 9 is the better phone today, and it'll almost certainly last longer and get more new features, too.

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It's somewhat rare to see good deals on new phones come along, so Amazon's offering of a free $100 gift card with the purchase of the new Google Pixel 9a was kind of a surprise.

In a recent review, one of our writers called the Pixel 9a the best mid-range phone this year, due to a highly impressive battery life and its beautiful 6.3-inch screen. Performance on this phone is also close to some of the more premium-level Pixel phones, featuring the same Tensor chipset. It's also great for photography, as is much of the Pixel lineup, and Google promises seven years of updates, making for a great, future-proof device.

✅Recommended if: you're in the market for a brand new phone and have liked Pixel devices in the past; you want an extra $100 of Amazon cash; you value battery life, great cameras and/or a good-looking display in a smartphone.

❌Skip this deal if: you want Google's latest AI features; you need a device with fast charging; having access to top-tier low-light photography is a priority for you.

Google's mid-range Pixel 9a easily ranks among the best cheap Android phones released this year (so far), offering a beautiful 6.3-inch pOLED display, seven years of OS updates starting at Android 15, solid battery life, and a good suite of cameras.

This particular deal is for the 128GB configuration, though you can also upgrade to 256GB if you need more storage. Buyers also like this phone's overall performance, as backed by 8GB of RAM and the powerful Google Tensor G4 chipset.

It is worth noting that this phone won't include some of the Gemini AI features included on Google's premium Pixel phones, and low-light photographs don't hold up against the competition very well. Still, this is a great bang-for-your-buck bundle if you were already thinking about upgrading.

While I enjoy using the likes of the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, it's the mid-range Pixel A devices where Google really shines. The brand is making a habit of delivering good all-rounders year after year, and that continues to be the case with this year's Pixel 9a.

The Pixel 9a is notable as it comes with a brand-new design aesthetic; Google's mid-range phones had the same design as its mainline devices, but this time around, the brand went with a different aesthetic to distinguish the device. Google says that it wanted to give the Pixel A series its own distinct character, and that's evident in the design.

As a result, the camera bar gave way to a pill-sized housing that doesn't attract anywhere as much attention. What I like the most about the new design is that the camera module sits flush with the chassis; this makes a big difference in usability, and after testing dozens of phones with massive camera islands that jut out considerably, it's a refreshing change of pace to use the Pixel 9a.

The phone looks cleaner thanks to the minimalist design at the back, and while it has flat sides, the edges are beveled, so there are no issues with usability. The Pixel 9a is a smidgen taller and thicker than the Pixel 9 Pro, but it is still great to use one-handed, and Google did a great job with the in-hand feel.

Just like the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, the Pixel 9a gets IP68 dust and water resistance as standard, making it immune to immersion in water. Google continues its usage of optical fingerprint modules, and it does a good job; it was fast to authenticate, and the location is ideal.

If anything, I prefer using the phone to mainline Pixel 9 devices, and Google got the basics absolutely right: the weight distribution is ideal, the rounded corners make it comfortable to hold, and the back has a matte texture that doesn't attract smudges. The mid-frame is made out of recycled aluminum, and overall, I really like what Google did with the design — even though I didn't get the Iris variant.

There's a lot to like with the panel as well; the 6.3-inch OLED has 120Hz refresh, and it gets noticeably brighter than its predecessors. Google is doing a great job in this regard in general, with the Pixel 9 Pro XL delivering the brightest panel of any phone I tested. Colors are great too, and I didn't see any inconsistencies in the two weeks I used the Pixel 9a.

The Pixel 9a gets the same Tensor G4 platform as the rest of the Pixel 9 series, and it retains seven shader cores. Overheating has been a big problem with the Pixel 8a last year, and the Pixel 9a does a better job in this regard thanks to a new cooling system. It isn't quite as effective as what you get on the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, but the phone doesn't throttle anywhere as early, or heat up as much — or as quickly.

Obviously, cameras continue to be the defining feature on all Pixels, and the Pixel 9a has two great sensors at the back. Google continues to rely on software tuning to deliver the best images and videos, but the sensor hardware itself isn't the best you get in this category; it will be interesting to see if Google manages to switch to bigger camera modules to take full advantage of its tuning algorithms.

That said, the Pixel 9a is one of the best mid-range cameras available today; the Vivo V50 and V40 Pro take better portraits and have increased versatility, but the Pixel 9a is still the most consistent shooter. While there's no tele lens on the device, it uses in-sensor zoom to deliver decent shots at 2x.

Where the Pixel 9a truly stands out is battery life; it delivers the best battery longevity of any Pixel I used in the last nine years. The 5100mAh battery is bigger than what you get on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the device easily managed to last a day and a half even with heavy use. I would have liked to see better charging tech, but Google continues to limit it to 23W — at least it uses the standard USB PD 3.0 protocol, so you can use any charger.

In a similar vein, the Pixel 9a has the best software of any mid-range phone. While it doesn't have all the AI-based utilities you get on the Pixel 9 Pro, Google brought its most-used utilities over to the device, and it gives the phone a distinct advantage. The UI itself is enjoyable; there's no bloatware, there's good fluidity, and I like the Material You aesthetic.

The Pixel 9a will get seven years of Android OS updates — more than any other phone in this category. While Samsung comes close with the Galaxy A56, that device has severe shortcomings in other areas, and I just wouldn't recommend buying it over the Pixel 9a.

With the Pixel 9a, Google basically took all the best features from mainline Pixels and condensed it into an affordable package. The Pixel 9a feels great to hold and use, the OLED panel is brighter than previous years, you get better thermal management, great cameras, and the best software in this category. Combine all of that with class-leading battery life, and the Pixel 9a is an undeniable hit.

Although the phone hit store shelves back on April 10th, it's taken a few weeks for most retailers to get their Google Pixel 9a deals in stock. Luckily, the wait is over, and Best Buy has just launched a promo that's putting other big box stores to shame: buy the Pixel 9a unlocked on the retailer's site and you'll score a free $100 gift card AND up to $500 of credit when you trade in an old or broken phone. 

As if that wasn't enough, Best Buy will also hook you up with an additional $100 in savings if you activate the phone through your carrier today. Considering that the Pixel 9a starts at just $499, this deal could take you far. 

So far, most of the Google Pixel 9a promos have been requiring things like trade-ins and new wireless lines to receive the savings, so it's nice to see a straightforward phone deal come down the pipeline. 

No matter which offer you choose, however, you'll be getting a midrange beauty with a vibrant 6.3-inch pOLED display, the super-efficient Tensor G4 chipset, and a larger battery than the more-expensive Google Pixel 9. Google will also hook you up with seven years of OS/security upgrades and Android 15 straight out of the box. 

If you can afford it, the base model Google Pixel 9 is obviously the better device, but for folks who are looking for modern Pixel technology in a budget phone package, this Best Buy deal presents a unique opportunity.

Now that you've got $100 of Best Buy money to spend, why not protect your new phone with one of the best Google Pixel 9a cases? 

Once you unbox your Google Pixel 9a, it'll be time to dive into the settings, download apps, and generally take advantage of AI tricks that you'd never find on any other mid-range phone.

During my time reviewing the Google Pixel 9a, I started off by following my colleague Nick's guide on the first things to do with the Pixel 8a, as several of his suggestions still apply to the 9a. But I also found new settings to change based on my preferences, plus some tips from Google's reviewer guide on new features to test.

From basic settings to Gemini tricks, these are the first nine things to do with your Google Pixel 9a after unboxing it!

Update your display settings

One of the first things I did with my Pixel 9a was go to Settings > Display & touch, lengthen the screen timeout from the default 30 seconds to two minutes, and toggle the smooth display option to unlock 120Hz for certain apps. The Pixel 9a has the battery life to handle the extra power draw for better visuals, and I like that I can set my phone down for a minute and then pick right back up without a login delay.

Many of my colleagues dislike adaptive brightness on any phone, preferring to adjust it themselves in the Quick Settings. If you agree, you can untoggle Adaptive brightness in this same Display & touch menu. Then you can swipe down twice from the home screen to find the brightness slider anytime.

Next, you can choose between the popular Dark theme or the Night Light setting with an amber hue that prevents blue light. In either case, if you only want to use it at night, tap the text to find a Schedule option for bedtime, sunset to sunrise, or a custom time. You can also adjust the amber intensity of Night Light.

Another way to prevent eye strain is with the Display size and text settings under Appearance; here, you can make the UI font bigger, make the font bold or high contrast, or make everything bigger like icons.

Finally, open the Lock screen settings and toggle "Always show time and info" for a basic always-on display (AOD) that also includes the weather, notification icons, and battery percentage.

Change your charging settings

By default, the Pixel 9a uses charging optimization, studying your sleep and charging patterns so that it hits 100% around the time you usually wake up. This prolongs your battery life but can also lead to moments where it's not fully charged if you wake up early.

In the Settings app, tap Battery > Charging optimization to toggle off Adaptive Charging, if you prefer. Then you can go into Battery Saver options and toggle off Use Adaptive battery, which can "reduce performance and delay notifications" based on your usage habits to "extend battery life." Your 9a will be faster, but may need a battery replacement down the line.

Conversely, you can permanently Limit charging to 80% in the optimization menu. Because the Pixel 9a has enough battery to last a full day with plenty left over, this option ensures the best possible battery longevity, but could lead to a shortage if you spend all day taking photos or gaming.

If you're trying to extend your Pixel 9a to two-day use, one thing to consider is tapping Battery > Battery Saver > Schedule and increasing the percentage where it toggles on to, say, 30% or 40%.

Bedtime, focus, and limits

If you don't already have your Bedtime routine settings ported from your last Pixel, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Bedtime mode and toggle open Bedtime routine to change which hours and days it toggles.

You can also make it so Bedtime mode auto-activates when you charge your Pixel 9a or turns off when your first alarm goes off. And under Customize > Screen options, you can trigger specific Bedtime changes like turning off AOD or dimming the wallpaper at night.

But Bedtime isn't the only mode you should consider if you have a problem with endless doomscrolling or Instagram/TikTok feeds at night. Tap App limits to set a hard time limit to any specific app or turn on Screen time reminders for "gentle reminders when you're spending a long time in an app."

You may also want to use Focus mode to limit distracting notifications during work hours. First, choose "distracting apps" with notifications you'd like to hide, then tap set a schedule to choose when you'd like to filter them out. Alternatively, a Focus mode toggle should appear in the Quick Settings if you want to trigger it manually.

My personal favorite? Flip to Shhh, which toggles on Do Not Disturb if you put your phone face-down on a flat surface, such as during a meeting; toggle it on if that sounds useful!

Turn on VPN and Fitbit Premium

Your Pixel 9a comes with a few free Google goodies. You only get three months of YouTube Premium if you haven't gotten a free trial before, but even returning customers will get six months of Fitbit Premium so long as you're not currently subscribed; simply open the Fitbit app to accept the offer, and set a reminder to cancel in six months if you don't end up liking it.

Unfortunately, only the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro get free trials of Google One or Google One AI Premium, respectively. But at least the Pixel 9a gets free access to the VPN by Google, a former Google One perk that's now Pixel-exclusive. This lets you have secure mobile browsing on both public and private networks, even if it's not as robust as our favorite (paid) VPNs.

To turn on the VPN, go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN by Google and tap the Allow option at the bottom. You can then choose to Pause VPN on selected networks (such as your personal network) since it may use more data than normal browsing. You can also toggle the VPN on and off in the Quick Settings menu by swiping down from the Home screen.

Scam detection & screening

The Google Phone app has a ton of AI-backed smarts that you'll want to turn on straight away. Open the app, tap the top-right ellipsis, then Settings. Caller ID & spam should be on by default — though check it to be sure — while other useful tricks need to be toggled on.

Spam calls are identified, but if you want to fully screen them, tap Call Screen and toggle Automatically screen calls to filter first-time callers, Spam numbers, and possibly faked numbers. A pop-up like "Screening unknown number" will appear, which you can tap to see a real-time transcript of Assistant speaking to the (alleged) person. If Assistant thinks the person is real, they'll send the call over to you.

Real-time scam detection is an on-device monitoring tool that automatically analyzes calls with non-contact numbers for potential scams. If the AI determines something is suspicious, it'll alert you of the danger. Select this tool in the Settings and your phone will download the tool before you toggle it on.

Lastly, you may want to turn on Hold for Me or Direct My Call if you're frequently on the line with customer service reps and want to be notified when the wait is over or navigated more quickly through menus.

Set up emergency features

If you're like me, you'll procrastinate on setting up emergency Pixel 9a features until you "have time" and then never do it. Rip off the band-aid and spend the next five minutes making sure these features are all set up!

In Settings > Safety & emergency, turn on Emergency SOS so that either pressing the Power button five times pulls up the emergency menu, so it'll auto-call 911 and (if you toggle these features) share info with emergency contacts and record emergency video of whatever's happening.

Next, add your Medical information like your blood type, allergies, medication, medical notes, and whether you're an organ donor to be shared with emergency responders. Then go ahead and add emergency contacts like family or roommates that you'd like notified in these moments.

Car crash detection may be enabled by default, but tap it to toggle on Emergency Sharing of your location and status to your contacts. And while you're in this menu, you can toggle Silence notifications while driving, which uses your device's "motion and Bluetooth connections to figure out when you're in a moving vehicle" — though this won't work if you regularly take a bus or subway.

Try new and popular Photos AI tricks

If you haven't used Magic Editor yet, you're missing out. On any photo, tap Edit, then the rainbow icon in the bottom-left. You can tap an object or person to resize it or move it around the frame; personally, I like to tap the bottom-middle magic wand icon that pulls up options like Auto reframing, reimagined backgrounds, stylized filters, alternative water layers, shifted Portrait blurring, and other contextually relevant changes.

Of course, Magic Editor is old news for Pixel 8a users, as is Magic Eraser, Audio Magic Eraser, Best Take, Photo Unblur, and other AI tools; those linked guides will help if you're new to Pixels.

But in terms of what's new to the Pixel A-series, Add Me is a useful trick that lets everyone into a group photo, including the one taking it. "Add Me" is found next to "Portrait" in the normal Camera carousel, and the 9a will guide you through the steps.

Macro Focus is even easier to use! If you get your 9a close enough (within 5cm or 2 inches), a flower icon will appear in the top-right corner and the viewfinder should auto-adjust to put the entire subject into clear focus. There's no extra settings required.

The third new feature is the Astrophotography mode, with which you set your Pixel 9a up somewhere stable — ideally with a tripod — and take a drawn-out shot of the night sky. To use it, swipe to the Night Sight option next to Photo, tap the moon icon in the bottom-right, and then push the slider that appears from Auto to Astro. Once your phone is stable, tap the 5-second countdown button and the 9a will take a four-minute shot of your subject!

New AI wallpapers and widgets

I tend to use the default wallpaper on my phones for years, something that my partner frequently mocks me for. If you want to let your personality fly, tap and hold any empty space on the home screen, then tap Wallpaper & style > More wallpapers.

Google has hundreds of curated wallpapers available in categories like Motif, Living Universe, Landscapes, and some European football teams for some reason. To get more personal, tap My photos and choose a favorite family pic or some cool art you downloaded from online. Or, you can try your luck with the AI wallpaper prompt, choose a theme like "Painting" or "Imaginary," and then change the prompt words until you find something less creepy than the teddy bear watercolor Google came up with.

As a side note, if you're a fan of AI art prompts for inspiration, be sure to install the Pixel Studio app that creates general-purpose art, not just wallpapers.

Once you've finished sprucing up your home and lock screen wallpaper, I highly recommend adding widgets by (again) tapping and holding the home screen and tapping that menu option.

I mostly use the vertical app drawer to find apps I want, so the secondary home screens full of apps are wasted space for me! So I instead fill that space with widgets that let me preview the information I'm most likely to need, like my upcoming Google Calendar reminder, today's weather, music playback controls, or most recent Gmail emails.

Widgets can also be sources of fun, like the "Your memories" box from Google Photos, the Chrome Dino game, or a Strava widget showing my weekly mileage. To add them, simply tap and hold any widget and then drag them onto your home screen!

Fire up Gemini

Gemini has become the default assistant for Android. If you want Gemini to always listen out for "Hey Google" and didn't toggle this during setup, open the Gemini app, tap your account icon, then Settings > Google Assistant features in Gemini > "Hey Google" and Voice Match and toggle Hey Google on.

Alternatively, you can change the hold-down power button shortcut to trigger Gemini under System > Gestures > Press & hold, if you prefer that to the power menu. Either way, this lets you ask Gemini about what's on your screen, like summarizing a YouTube video or...this article, if you wanted!

Otherwise, you'll get the best Gemini responses by opening the Gemini app. There, you can type out questions or tap the Gemini Live icon in the bottom-right for an in-depth conversation that remembers past questions for context. You can even upload images and ask Gemini about them, or use your Pixel 9a camera to ask for information about the world around you.

Hopefully, this Google Pixel 9a beginner's guide has given you the tips and tricks necessary to take full advantage of your new phone!

My last bit of advice is something that applies to most new phone purchases, but especially the Pixel 9a: Make sure you buy a new Pixel 9a case and/ or Pixel 9a screen protector! The 9a isn't as wide as some flagship phones, and its thick sides aren't hard to grip, but all it takes is one drop to ruin that camera sensor or crack through the outdated Gorilla Glass 3 display protection.

Otherwise, if you're curious how else the Pixel 9a compares to its predecessor, check out our Pixel 9a vs. 8a vs. 7a camera review or our Pixel 9a vs. 8a feature guide!

Google Pixel devices are one of the few smartphones that you can readily identify from far away. The camera housing, whether a full bar on older Pixels or the newer oval shape, is immediately recognizable. That's why when Google ditched the iconic camera bar on the most recent Pixel 9a, it made waves. Some people love the move, but many more seem to hate it.

The company originally gave Android Central a few reasons it decided to make the Pixel 9a nearly flat at the camera bar's expense. Improved thermal performance, a larger batter capacity, and the need to give the Pixel 9a its own personality were at the top of the list.

Now, Google has more to say on the change in a blog post.

"We wanted to have a physical interpretation that would match the personality of the device," said Soniya Jobanputra, a Pixel product manager.

Contrary to what you might think after seeing the Pixel 9a online or in photos, the camera bump isn't flush — it's referred to as a "dome" by the company. The design is said to mimic a water droplet, like the Pixel Watch 3 design. However, industrial designer Yomi Matsuoka notes that "if you put a case on it, there’s no bump at all."

It turns out that the Pixel 9a wasn't guaranteed to ditch the camera bar, or the more recent camera oval. It tested a few of them in experiments that "focused on [the camera bump's] overall form and appearance as well as certain shapes’ ability to withstand drops and impact." Eventually, the company settled on the Pixel 9a camera bump design we have today.

The reception to the Pixel 9a's design is odd

People aren't thrilled with the Pixel 9a's design, according to multiple social media posts. One user described their take on the phone, saying it "kinda looks like a colored brick with a weird camera shape." As someone with a Pixel 9a review unit, I'm qualified to say that take isn't exactly wrong. What's unusual about the public reception to the Pixel 9a's design is that Google seemingly gave customers exactly what they asked for.

The idea of removing the camera bump in favor of adding more battery has been around seemingly since the dawn of smartphones. More specifically, since phones universally accepted the idea of non-removal batteries and large camera bumps protruding from their rear casing. If you don't believe me, one Redditor pondered whether phones should just get thicker instead of sporting camera bumps six years ago on the Google Pixel subreddit.

More battery instead of camera bump? from r/pixel_phones

This specific thread isn't an outlier, either. Multiple times per year, the concept of making phones thicker to incorporate more features and longer battery life trends on social media.

This time, Google actually listened. It made the Pixel 9a thicker, added more battery life, and swapped out camera sensors. The phone measures 8.9mm, has a giant 5,100mAh battery, and has an almost-flat design. On paper, the Pixel 9a — with multi-day battery life and a utilitarian design — should've impressed enthusiasts who have been clamoring for this kind of thing for the better part of a decade.

The takeaway here isn't that the Pixel 9a design is perfect, because it's absolutely not perfect. It's boring and lacks the character that made Pixel phones popular in the first place. However, the design satisfies a long list of requests by smartphone buyers made for years, and that proves consumers don't always know that they want.

The Google Pixel 9a has finally arrived, and there is already no shortage of offers that make the affordable phone even cheaper, or as is the case with this Verizon deal, even free. It works like this: buy the phone and add a line with the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plan and you'll get $499.99 in promo credits over 36 months. You'll still have to pay the $35 activation fee, but the deal otherwise covers the full price of the Google Pixel 9a, no trade-in required. 

• See our guide to the best Google Pixel 9a deals on the web today

After being delayed for a few weeks because of a "component quality issue", the Google Pixel 9a was finally released on April 10th with considerably less fanfare than you'd expect from a mainstream device launch. Still, the rollout may have been disappointing, but the device itself is not, coming complete with an outstanding 5,100mAh battery (larger than the regular Pixel 9), Tensor G4 chipset, and vivid 6.3-inch pOLED display. Pair those specs with all the latest Gemini AI features and seven years of software updates and you're looking at a cheap Android phone that punches well above its weight. 

Unlike some Verizon deals, this offer is compelling because it doesn't require a trade-in, nor does it force you to sign up for the most expensive data plans to receive the savings. Unlimited Welcome, for instance, is one of Verizon's most affordable options, giving users unlimited talk, text, and data on the carrier's vast 5G network. The plan starts at $65 per month for a single line, but you can drop the price considerably when you add multiple lines (as low as $30 per month for four lines). 

Sure, if you're looking for a trade-in deal or prefer to buy phones unlocked, by all means look elsewhere. But if you're ready to update your wireless service and you're in the market for a new Pixel device, this is one of the best Android deals on the web today. 

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

This week Google lays off hundreds of employees in its Android and Pixel teams, Google Pixel 10 series prices leak, Motorola drops a slick Razr 2025 teaser, One UI 7 finally reaches more hands, and Galaxy Z Fold 7 could come One UI8 and a much needed upgrades. Let's dive in then, shall we?

Google laysoff hundreds, again

Read more here

Google is at it again. This time it laid off hundreds of employees from the Platforms and Devices unit on Thursday, April 10. This comes after the company has been pushing several employees to take voluntary exits for the past few months.

A source with direct knowledge of the situation said that people working within the Android platform, Pixel phones, and the Chrome browser teams have been impacted by these layoffs.

In a statement to the publication, the tech giant said that since they combined the Android and Pixel teams last year, they've focused on, "becoming more nimble and operating more effectively." The Google spokesperson also stated that these cuts are in addition to the voluntary exit program the company offered to its employees in January.

Pixel 10 series tipped to see varied pricing

Read more here

A recent leak online claims that some Pixel models' pricing will change every year for the Google Pixel flagship series, while the others will stay at the same price point, at least until 2028.

It states that within the Pixel 10 series, the standard, and smaller Pro models will hold the same prices from the previous year, it looks like the Pixel Pro XL will see a $ $100 price bump. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will allegedly get a $200 reduction in its price, bringing its price tag to $1,600 which is in line with a previous rumor we spotted earlier this month.

Next up is the A-series, or Google's budget devices. Android Headlines claims that the Pixel 10a will be sold at the same $499 price point as the Pixel 9a. Furthermore, the company will reportedly stick to the same price until 2028 with the Pixel 12a.

However, these are still leaks and need to be taken with a grain of salt. In a separate Reddit post, someone from Android Headlines said that they've seen the pricing for Pixel 10, 11, 12, and 13 series, but “it’s all subject to change” and that “everything is a rumor until the company announces it lol.”

Motorola Razr 2025 is coming soon

Read more here

Motorola dropped a quick video on X teasing the launch of its next clamshell —the Razr 2025 earlier this week (Apr. 10). In a 10-second clip, Motorola showed off three foldables, each device sporting a different color, with a tagline "Make it iconic," with the launch date— April 24 at the end.

While the teaser doesn't give us much when it comes to the look of the phones, it seems Motorola is sticking with dual cameras on the cover display. The cover screen is also expected to fully cover the front like it has over the past couple of generations.

Motorola delivers its latest teaser, describing its new clamshell as, "When the ordinary flips to the extraordinary."

The most recent Motorola Razr 2025 leak, which seemingly left nothing to the imagination, states that the phones will retain the design language the company has provided for the past few generations. That means a full 4-inch cover display and a 6.9-inch pOLED foldable display for the Plus model. The Plus is also rumored to receive Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC.

One UI 7 is finally here

Read more here and here.

Samsung's stable One UI 7 has launched this week and reached eligible devices in Korea, U.S. and Europe. After a long wait and several beta versions, the company has finally rolled out a stable OS to its users.

The update first showed up in Korea, and U.S. and Europe users had to wait an additional three days, for the stable build of Samsung's One UI 7. According to several users on a subreddit post, Samsung has started rolling out the OS more widely today (April. 10) as promised in the company's rollout strategy announcement last month.

The first ones to see this software update pop up on their phones are those with either the Samsung S24 series phones or the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6, much like how the rollout happened in Korea.

One UI 7 brings several changes to the notification panel, Now Bar, live notifications, camera improvements, and more. To check if your phone has received the One UI 7 update, head to Settings > Software Update > Check for updates.

Galaxy Z Fold 7 rumored to get One UI 8

Read more here

A recent leak popped up on X claiming that Samsung's next foldable the Galaxy Z Fold 7 will come with much needed upgrades. According to @TheGalox_ on X, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 could show up with an upgraded under-display camera and a tougher screen built with some fresh layered materials.

And that's not all, the leak claims that the device will show up with Samsung's One UI 8, and the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip. powering the device. Additionally, hardware-wise, the main foldable screen could stretch to 8 inches, with the cover display hitting 6.5 inches.

For comparison, the Z Fold 6 sports a 7.6-inch inner screen and a 6.3-inch outer one. Even its main camera could get a massive bump to 200MP. The leak states that the company could be working on making this phone much more thinner and durable than its predecessor.

For more news and information on Samsung’s upcoming foldables, check out our Ultimate Guide.

More stories this week

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• OnePlus Watch 3 releases with a hefty price tag in the US and we don't know why
• ByteDance reportedly working on a pair of AI smart glasses to challenge Meta
• First look at the Pixel Watch 4 leaks and we are nothing but impressed
• Google Pixel's April security update fixes its troublesome screen flicker
• Google releases new Android System updates with battery life improvements
• Xiaomi prepares developers for Android 16 with a preview on 'select' devices
• Google Messages will soon use color to differentiate RCS and SMS, MMS users
• Here's how Google is shaking up the A-series lineup following Pixel 9a launch
• The Apple Maps web client beta now runs on Android phone browsers
• Leak says Motorola has a pair of earbuds and a new Watch on the way

What you need to know

• Google is discontinuing the Pixel 7a, no longer selling the 2023 model on the Google Store.
• The Google Pixel 8a remains available, but is not seeing official discounts as of publication.
• The cheapest Google Pixel 8a is currently $487 at Amazon, which is hardly a steal compared to the $499 price of the newer Pixel 9a.

Now that the Pixel 9a is finally available for purchase, Google is tweaking its lineup of A-series Pixels on the Google Store. For starters, the Pixel 7a is no longer available for purchase in any region, which was expected. The Google Pixel 8a is sticking around on the Google Store, but is still being sold at its full $499 retail price in the U.S. — the same price as the newer Pixel 9a (via 9to5Google).

Google's Pixel phones usually remain available for purchase for a year after they've been replaced, so the Pixel 8a's availability isn't exactly a surprise. The same was true of the Pixel 7a and Pixel 6a in years prior, but those models received discounts to make their value more competitive. So far, that hasn't been the case with the Pixel 8a following its replacement for the Pixel 9a.

The Google Pixel 8a is priced at $499 by Google, and third-party retailers aren't heavily discounting the older model either. Best Buy still lists new Pixel 8a devices at $499, whereas Amazon gives it a very slight discount at $487.

The U.S. market appears to be the only region in which the Pixel 8a hasn't been officially discounted by Google. The smartphone now costs £399 (an £100 discount) in the U.K., and €449 in the E.U. (an €100 discount). It's possible the lack of a discount in the U.S. could be used to drive Pixel 9a sales, so that the Pixel 9a isn't competing with a discounted Pixel 8a.

As for the Pixel 7a, its stock will likely dwindle now that it is no longer sold directly from Google. Currently, Best Buy does not appear to have any new Pixel 7a units available for purchase. Amazon is selling new Pixel 7a phones for $329, but it's unclear how long stock will last.

Google's A-series lineup of Pixel phones tends to be controversial. It's a mid-cycle release, which typically comes after the base-model Pixel is heavily discounted, leaving a ton of feature overlap. This year's Google Pixel 9a is more of the same but with a twist. To find out whether the money spent on the midrange Pixel 9a is better than the flagship Pixel 9, I tested both side-by-side for almost two weeks.

For the first time in recent memory, the Pixel 9a has a completely different design than the base Pixel 9 — kind of. The general oval-shaped camera cutout is still present on the Pixel 9a, but the iconic Pixel 9 camera bar is gone. With this change, the Pixel 9a's back is almost completely flat, but not all the way.

Starting with the good, it's nice that the Pixel 9a doesn't rock when it's on a flat surface. Despite being thicker than the Pixel 9, it doesn't feel gargantuan in the hand. The device measures just 154.7mm x 73.3mm x 8.9mm, which is only 0.4mm thicker than the standard Pixel 9. That extra space adds 400mAh of battery capacity, which sounds like a worthy tradeoff.

It's also nice that the nearly-flush camera lenses will help the back become completely flat when paired with even the thinnest cases. I have found that the exposed glass covering, without a camera bar to protect it, makes the Pixel 9a camera housing more susceptible to scratching or collecting dust.

In terms of materials, the Pixel 9a's matte plastic back doesn't feel as satisfying as the one on the Pixel 8a, but that could be simply due to the lack of curves. The panel is completely flat, like the Pixel 9, embracing the rectangular design language of 2025 smartphones. Compared to the Pixel 9's glass back, neither phone feels inherently more premium than the other.

With that being said, the Pixel 9a looks bland and dull without the instantly-recognizable Pixel camera bar. I look at the Pixel 9 and know immediately that it's a Google smartphone, and just don't feel that same familiarity with the Pixel 9a.

The displays are both excellent-quality 6.3-inch p-OLED panels, with the Pixel 9a having bigger bezels than the standard Pixel 9. You can see the difference when the phones are next to each other, but I never noticed the bezels getting in the way during daily use. Both devices offer up to 2,700 nits of peak brightness, and the same resolution, so this isn't a reason to choose one over the other.

Performance will surprise you

Things start to get tricky under the hood, with the Pixel 9a and the Pixel 9 sharing the same Tensor G4 chip but with different memory configurations. The higher-priced Pixel 9 gets 12GB of RAM, while the cheaper Pixel 9a only gets 8GB. This means that while the Pixel 9 can run the Gemini Nano XS model, the Pixel 9a has the Gemini Nano XXS model instead.

In practice, the Pixel 9a lacks certain AI staples on day one, like Pixel Screenshots and Call Notes. Although the Pixel 9a gets the same seven-year OS upgrade and feature drop promise as the Pixel 9, it stands to reason that the former will get fewer features over time due to hardware limitations.

The really odd part of this is the Pixel 9a's benchmark scores. The Pixel 9a consistently beats the Pixel 9 in Geekbench 6 (trust me, I ran these multiple times to be sure). I can't figure out why, considering the Pixel 9 has the same chip and more available RAM, but can confirm that the Pixel 9a feels fast, smooth, and reliable during daily use. There wasn't any noticeable overheating either, despite testing in the Arizona desert.

How the cameras compare

The positives continue as the Pixel 9a reverses a worrying trend of Google phones delivering photos with inaccurate colors. I have a full review of the Pixel 9a camera system, but the short version is that the new 48MP main camera brings the midranger closer in line with flagship offerings.

It adds features like Macro Focus, all while improving computational photography and color science, as you can see in the samples below.

Make no mistake, the Pixel 9's 50MP main sensor is significantly larger in sensor size than the Pixel 9a's camera. It also sports a 48MP ultrawide that will produce more detailed shots than the Pixel 9a's 13MP ultrawide lens. Both cameras will perform great in daylight, but the Pixel 9 is the clear winner in nighttime photography.

The Google Pixel 9 is the best for most people

For most people, the Google Pixel 9 is objectively the better value than the cheaper Pixel 9a. When you look past the $799 retail price on paper, you'll realize that it's quite easy to find a Pixel 9 for only slightly more than the Pixel 9a. Both Amazon and Best Buy have the Pixel 9 discounted to $649 at the time of publishing, with the latter offering a $100 discount if you activate the phone at the time of purchase.

Yes, that means you could get a Pixel 9 — with more memory, a better camera, and a better screen — for just $50 more than a Pixel 9a. It's not hard to get it for even less if you're willing to take advantage of carrier contract deals (be careful of those) or trade-in promotions.

Aside from the price, I feel much more confident that the Pixel 9 will get more features and updates over its software support window than the Pixel 9a due to the extra memory. Beyond that, the slimmer bezels, glass back, camera bar, and better display are just bonuses. That's why I think the Pixel 9 is the better buy for most people unless you're specifically looking for a basic Android phone with a long battery life.

The Google Pixel 9a is for the no-nonsense enthusiast

Originally, I was ready to write off the Google Pixel 9a due to its debut limitations. With just 8GB of RAM, it isn't able to run the latest Pixel-exclusive AI tools on day one, let alone future tools that may be released years down the road. However, I soon realized that this might not only be acceptable to prospective Pixel 9a buyers — it could be preferable.

The Pixel 9a is decisively for the no-nonsense kind of Android phone user. It's made for the kind of person that will gladly take a conventionally-ugly smartphone with multi-day battery life. Or, the kind of person that thinks having fewer AI features shoved on their phone is a feature, not a bug. For those people, who just want a basic and good Android phone, there might not be something better than the Pixel 9a.

The Google Pixel 9a just came out today, but what if I told you that one company is already offering it for nearly 80% off? Would you question its legitimacy? Ask if the product "fell off a truck" or something? I definitely would, but AT&T's Pixel 9a deal is as legit as they come.

Get the Google Pixel 9a for $2.99 a month with any unlimited plan. After 36 months of paying that price, the phone only ends up costing you $107.64. That's a HECK of a lot better than the $499 retail price of the Pixel 9a and makes it the single best Pixel 9a deal right now if you ask me.

The best part is you don't even have to wait for something like Prime Day to get this deal! To further sweeten the deal, AT&T is throwing in a free pair of the true wireless Pixel Buds A-Series earbuds, making us wonder if AT&T is actually trying to make any money at all this year.

It's quite literally impossible to find a better phone for $107. The Google Pixel 9a not only packs the latest version of Android with nearly all the best Pixel features, but it also packs the same Tensor G4 processor as all the most expensive Pixel 9 phones. In short, that means Pixel flagship-level performance for a lot less money.

Be aware, though, that the Pixel 9a doesn't include all the same AI features that are in the more expensive Pixel phones because it has less RAM. That Gemini XXS model is still plenty capable, for sure, and will get you access to features like Call Screening and Best Take, as well as Gemini Live.

This year, Google has outfitted the Pixel 9a with an upgraded ultrawide lens that includes a new macro focus mode so you can take gorgeous up-close shots this Spring. We put the camera to the test in our Pixel 9a camera review, so you can get an idea of what to look forward to when your unit arrives.

Once you've secured the epic AT&T deal, take a look at the best Pixel 9a screen protectors and Pixel 9a cases to keep your investment protected. You won't lose much money if your phone breaks, thanks to this excellent deal, but it'll be hard to replace it at this same low price if that happens.

Google's latest midrange masterpiece is here, and I've done the work of gathering all of the best Pixel 9a deals into this guide. Whether you want a trade-in opportunity, a free gift card, or a no-strings discount, if you're looking to buy the Pixel 9a today, this is the guide for you.

As described in our glowing 4.5/5-star Pixel 9a review, the $499 device boasts the same efficient Tensor G4 processor that powers the rest of the excellent Pixel 9 series, plus you get AI-boosted camera technology, fantastic battery life, and like many of the best Android phones, seven years of OS/security updates guaranteed. It's also a little funny-looking, if you ask me, but I'll get over it. Keep reading for all the latest info and deals on the phone. Didn't find the opportunity you were hoping for? Check back later: I'll keep adding new offers to this list as they're announced.

Google Pixel 9a deals

FAQ

What is the Google Pixel 9a?

The Pixel 9a is the latest midrange smartphone by Google. Similar to previous installments of the A series, the Pixel 9a is all about packing flagship-quality specs into a device that costs under $500. Although the phone pushes right up against that line with a $499 price tag, it still offers a load of bang for the buck in the form of great hardware, AI-powered software features, and outstanding software support.

The phone is slated to feature a lovely 6.3-inch pOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, while under the hood you'll find the same Tensor G4 chipset that powers the Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL.

As with other Pixel phones, the cameras are really where the 9a is going to shine. Straight out of the box, you'll get all of the latest Gemini AI software features with a 48MP main camera/13MP ultrawide, 8x Super Res Zoom, and Macro Focus with 4K video support. The phone also comes with IP68 water/dust resistance, seven years of OS/security updates, and a larger battery than its popular predecessor, the Google Pixel 8a. The phone also has a distinct rear design that may or may not work for you, and it's surprisingly lighter than the base model Pixel 9.

All in all, the Pixel 9a is clearly destined to earn a spot among the best cheap Android phones of 2025, and I can't wait to see what kind of deals the phone will receive as we enter the summer sale season.

Should I buy the Google Pixel 9 or Pixel 9a?

Believe it or not, we put together a Google Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9a guide to answer this very question! In short, it really depends on what you're willing to spend. Both devices boast great hardware, AI features, and years of software support, but you can expect the standard Pixel 9 to feature better performance, more RAM, and a nicer display. Is that enough to justify spending an additional $200 on your purchase? It's your call, but neither phone should disappoint.

The Google Pixel 9a arrives today, April 10, after Google delayed the 9a launch for weeks. And we have all the info you need, from specs and its best features to how our test results compare to other sites!

Senior Editor Michael Hicks reviewed the latest addition to the Pixel family and we're going to give you all the information you need about the phone and everything else.

Follow us as we talk about the phone and react to Pixel 9a reviews rolling in from around the tech space!

• The best Google Pixel 9a deals of April 2025: free phones, epic trade-in opportunities, and more
• Our Google Pixel 9a review!

10 key Google Pixel 9a specs

• Price: $499 / £499 / €549 / CA$679 / Rs 49,999
• Software: Launches with Android 15, will update to Android 22 and security through 2032
• Processor: Tensor G4 (same as Pixel 9)
• Memory: 8GB RAM, 128GB UFS 3.1 storage
• Display: 6.3-inch pOLED, 422 PPI, 120Hz, 1,800 HDR nits
• Cameras: 48MP Quad PD Dual Pixel, 13MP UW, 13MP front
• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, no UWB
• Battery: 5,100mAh (8a was 4,492mAh) with 23W charging
• Protection: IP68, Gorilla Glass 3
• Colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony, Iris

After a few weeks' delay, the Google Pixel 9a is finally here! We've loved the Pixel A-series for years, but this year gave us reason to worry. In addition to that "component quality issue" that caused the delay, there has been concern about performance issues, limited RAM, and the controversial new design language.

Thankfully, our reviewer, Michael Hicks, reports that Google's latest budget flagship was worth the wait. With the best battery life of any Pixel to date — yes, better than all the more expensive models — plus the same Tensor G4 processor as the more expensive Pixel 9 phones, it's hard to say no to the Pixel 9a.

Before we dive into some of the phone's features, let's talk pricing. The Pixel A-series has long prided itself on delivering extreme value at a mid-range price. That means renowned Pixel camera quality, one of the fastest processors for the price, and seven years of software updates that keep it feeling fresh for a long time.

You can grab the phone unlocked from Google for $499 / £499 / €549 / CA$679 / Rs 49,999, which nets you 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Roughly $100 more will double your storage, which could be helpful if you're planning on keeping it the full seven years. That's 2032, to put things in full perspective!

But if you don't want to buy it straight from Google for some reason, that's no big deal. You can also find the phone unlocked at Amazon, unlocked or with a carrier deal at Best Buy, or elsewhere in four excellent colors.

If you live in the U.S. and are looking for a great Google Pixel 9a deal, all the major carriers (and even some smaller carriers) are running great launch-day sales. THE MOST RIDICULOUS deal is from AT&T, which is selling the Pixel 9a for just $2.99 a month with any unlimited plan. That's on a 36-month payment plan, but that only brings the TOTAL cost to $107. Keep in mind the Pixel 9a retails for $499, and you think you've gotten the deal of a lifetime, but AT&T isn't done.

Grab a Pixel 9a today from AT&T, and they'll also toss in a pair of Pixel Buds A-Series for free. That gets you a pair of legit fully wireless earbuds plus Google's best A-series phone yet for roughly $500 less than you'd pay if you bought them outright. It's impossible to find a better deal than this!

If you're not an AT&T customer or don't want to switch to AT&T for some reason, other carriers have good deals worth taking a look at, too. T-Mobile is also offering a free pair of Pixel Buds A-Series deal when you get a Pixel 9a through the Uncarrier. Plus, the Pixel 9a is free when you add a new line with T-Mobile, which might be even more cost-effective than AT&T's deal, depending on your plan with the company.

US Mobile is offering a $799 bundle deal that includes a regular Pixel 9 PLUS a Pixel 9a. You'll need to opt for an Annual Starter or Premium plan through US Mobile to get the deal, but it's pretty slick being able to get two amazing Pixel 9 phones for this price.

Lastly, Verizon is offering the Pixel 9a for free to all new customers. Existing customers won't get the deal, which is always sad, but Verizon does offer a rather excellent Google One AI Premium add-on for $10 a month, which includes all the amazing features of Google's $20 plan — like full access to Gemini Live and tons of cloud storage — for half the price.

Alright, let's talk about that big design change first. There's no shortage of controversy around Google removing the camera bar on the Pixel 9A, but Google says the change was made to prioritize function over form. The phone is thicker than the Pixel 8A and looks a lot less unique, but it comes with several advantages because of the change.

Google broke the Pixel 9A down to its base components, added a huge vapor chamber to keep the Tensor G4 extra cool, then slapped a giant battery on top. That meant adding the camera bar would have made the phone unacceptably thick, by Google's standards, so the bar had to go. Thankfully, the left-aligned camera module didn't result in a wobbly phone despite the camera bar removal, which is a big sigh of relief.

Google swapped out the 64MP main camera from the Pixel 8a and replaced it with a 48MP camera on the Pixel 9a. While this sounds like a downgrade on paper, the 9a actually improves quality over the 8a in some scenarios. Brady Snyder conducted a full Pixel 9a camera review for us, which breaks down all of the differences.

Here's the TLDR version for now if you don't have to time to look at the longer article. The Pixel 9a noticeably improves color science over the Pixel 8a, delivering some of the most accurate colors from a Pixel camera in years. Daytime shots look incredible as a result, and you'll enjoy great AI features like Best Take any time of the day. Plus, the new Macro Mode turns out jaw-dropping macro shots.

In low light, there is a slight drop in sharpness and detail versus the Pixel 8a but, as Brady points out, you'd need to zoom in a lot to notice anything different. All in all, this is the Pixel camera you're looking for, and it's guaranteed to outperform anything in this price segment.

Back on the design, there's sure to be a love/hate relationship with Google's changes. No, I don't mean the camera bar, mean the flattening of the overall phone. Gone are the smooth curves and ergonomic edges of the Pixel 8a's river rock design and, in their place, are very flat sides and a totally flat front and back. This makes the phone feel like a slate rather than the "friendly" design of last year's model.

But, as Google previously noted, most people won't notice the design change because it's going to be in a case. There are already some amazing Google Pixel 9a cases to grab, so if that's your plan, the wider, flatter Pixel 9a will feel just fine.

While the Pixel 9a doesn't fall into the "small" phone category with its 6.3-inch display — it matches the Pixel 9 and is larger than the 8a — Michael noted that it was easier to hold than most budget phones in its class. Some of that is thanks to weight, but a lot of it is down to the design.

Aside from making it flatter, Google also improved the Pixel 9A's water and dust resistance rating over the 8a, giving it the IP68 rating of its full-priced flagship models. Unfortunately, this one uses older Gorilla Glass 3 on the front and back, so we don't recommend going caseless unless you're ultra careful with your phones.

A good Pixel 9a screen protector will keep it protected for a long time to come. Plus, unlike some other screen protectors, these won't interfere with that ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under the display.

When Apple launched the iPhone 16e last month, many were left scratching their heads. Not only was the phone too expensive for what it offered, but Apple only shipped it with a single camera on the back. As Android Authority points out this morning, Apple's phone looks even worse now that the Pixel 9a is out.

While both the Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e feature a similar 48MP main camera, Google's photo processing has outpaced Apple's for some time. The Pixel is better at capturing subjects in motion than an iPhone — I've named Pixel phones the best phones for parents for years because of this — and the more color-accurate Pixel 9a camera also helps make photos look more like real life.

And while the main camera is definitely an upgrade over the iPhone 16e, the Pixel 9a's secondary rear camera is the real star of the show here. Not only is it a super high-quality ultrawide camera but it also doubles as a macro camera that delivers some of the best macro shots you'll find on any phone. That's not something your ordinary $500 phone can claim, and definitely not something the $600 iPhone 16e can do at all.

If you need any one reason to choose a Pixel 9a over other Pixel phones, it's the battery life. Google Tensor processors have never been very efficient and that has resulted in poor battery life, but big thermal changes and an even bigger battery make the Pixel 9a the Pixel phone to get for battery life.

Android Central's Michael Hicks and Brady Snyder both said they were able to get around 2 days of use out of a single charge, something that's absolutely never been true of any Pixel phone to date. Most Pixel A-series phones struggled to last just one day, much less into the second at all.

That's all while packing the exact same Tensor G4 processor as all the more expensive Pixel 9 series phones. Yes, that even includes the $1700 Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

If you need any proof that "different strokes for different folks" is the truth, look no further than 9to5Google's review of the Pixel 9a. Abner Li says, "Google has created my new favorite phone design," citing the almost-flat, camera-bar-less design as the reason.

This design change, coupled with the matte glass back and the flat side rails, makes it much nicer to hold than the mainline Pixel 9 series, according to Abner. "The Pixel 9a feels like you’re just holding a screen" might just be my favorite quote from the review, as it's easily the most positive thing I've heard from anyone regarding the Pixel 9a's incredibly flat and sterile design.

What might be more interesting is Abner's love for the uniformity of the design. "It results in such a clean form however you’re handling, like when fishing out of your pocket or bag, or gripping." Despite that uniformity, the matte glass on the back feels different enough from the shiny glass on the front that "you won’t mistake the two materials." Plus, matte glass isn't a fingerprint magnet like the shiny glass on other Pixel 9's.

I far prefer the rounder design of the Pixel 8a and love the camera bar on older Pixel phones, but it's clear that some people simply like different things. Will that be you? Let us know!

Great performance isn't common in a $500 phone these days, but Google has bucked that trend since the Google Pixel 6a with its Tensor G1 processor. Now that we're on Tensor G4, Google has worked out the thermal issues and ensured that this is still class-leading performance in most cases. At the least, the Tensor G4 is a much better fit for the $500 Pixel 9a than it is in the $999 Pixel 9 Pro, as Michael Hicks pointed out in our review.

But don't just take our word for it. Engadget's review echoes the same sentiments, citing multicore performance on par with the more expensive Pixel 9 series. The only lament made is the reduced amount of RAM, which means power users will likely be less happy with the Pixel 9a than the mainline series, which features 4GB of RAM more than the 9a.

There's also a possibility that some AI features in the future might not make it to the Pixel 9a, as we've seen older phones skip newer AI features due to lack of RAM. Ironically, Google's lowest-spec phone features as much RAM as the most expensive iPhone so, at the very least, we don't expect to see the Pixel 9a fall behind iPhones in terms of great software features.

Another great reason to choose the Pixel 9a is longevity. The Pixel 9a gets seven years of OS updates and security patches, "leaving behind most mid-range phones with two or three OS versions at most" as Michael puts it in our review.

Most of the time, lower-cost phones aren't worth holding on to for a long time because they ship with lower-performance processors that simply don't do well after a few years. The processor in the Pixel 9a is not only fast enough to last for several years, but Google guarantees updates through 2032. That's simply not the norm on other phones.

Howdy all, I'm the guy who reviewed the Pixel 9a (Michael Hicks) and I'm taking over this live blog for the next few hours! Do you have questions for Brady and I about the 9a? You can email michael.hicks@futurenet.com with your questions or concerns and assuming the spam filter doesn't eat them, I'm happy to answer them here.

For starters, let's talk software. Android Police covered the fact that the Pixel 9a is missing March Pixel Drop features like Modes, and that you'll probably have to wait for Android 16 for a major 9a update.

On the one hand, I'll point out that the Pixel 9 series launched with Android 14, so a missing feature drop doesn't feel that bad to me. On the other hand, the Pixel 9a is never going to get some Gemini Nano features like Pixel Screenshots because of its 8GB of RAM. So if you're someone who closely follows every Pixel Drop and tests every new AI feature, the Pixel 9a might not be the right fit for you!

Looking over other sites' Pixel 9a reviews, the harshest comes from Techradar, which gave it a 3/5, said it's "so dang ugly" compared to other Pixels, and claimed that despite the larger battery, it doesn't actually last longer than the Pixel 9 or 9 Pro.

I guess to decide that the 9a battery was no big deal, they did a rundown test and found that both the 9a and 9 both lasted about 13 hours while streaming content. But that's not really indicative of real-world use, and in that case, I found that it really does last about a day and a half with active use, while past Pixels were much more likely to require a daily top-off. Other reviews I've read agree that the battery boost is real.

As for the phone being "ugly as sin," I mean, every phone these days is a "flat slab of plastic broken by a round camera bump." I certainly agreed in my review that this design is pretty boring, and that I miss my Pixel 9's camera bar. But out of the reasons not to buy a Pixel 9a, I'd argue that ugliness isn't really one of them. It just looks like any other Android phone.

Let's talk more about AI. As I said in my review, if your experience with AI is using Gemini Live, Pixel Studio, or any other app that relies on cloud-based processing, then using the Pixel 9a is no different from a Pixel 9 or 9 Pro. I ran queries on multiple Pixels at once, and the 9a took the same amount of time.

The bigger issue is that the Pixel 9a uses "Gemini Nano XXS" because of its 8GB of RAM, limiting features like Pixel Screenshots that require on-device AI. Even though it has the same Tensor G4 and powerful NPU as its siblings, the Pixel 9a just isn't able to think for itself — or maybe just not well enough for Google to unlock the feature for consumers.

In the long run, a Pixel 9 Pro with 16GB of RAM will probably be able to handle future on-device AI tricks years down the line, but a Pixel 9a, 10a, and so on may be permanently shut out. For AI fans, that may be a bigger deal than missing out on a telephoto lens or other Pro perks.

Is the Google Pixel 9a the best mid-range phone of the year? If you let your budget creep up to $599, the OnePlus 13R is a tough challenger because of its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, 12GB/256GB memory, LTPO display, much-faster charging at 80W, and 50MP telephoto lens with 2X optical zoom.

I'd personally choose the Pixel 9a, simply because it's about an ounce lighter and I'd prioritize compact comfort and a lower price. It also gets three more years of OS updates, though I don't know how many people use A-series phones for more than four years anyway.

Otherwise, most of the other phones in this price range like the Galaxy A56, Nothing 3a Pro, or Motorola Edge can't match the Pixel 9a for specs or AI insights.

AC's parent company has a testing suite (Future Labs) that Tom's Guide used for more concrete Pixel 9a display quality testing than my typical eyeball tests in its review.

They found that the Pixel 9a hit 2,076 peak brightness, about double what the iPhone 16e offers and nearly double the OnePlus 13R and Nothing 3a Pro. Most importantly, it easily beat the Pixel 8a (1,378 nits), though it lost to the Pixel 9 (2,390).

The 9a also hit an impressive 94.2% DCI-P3, though Tom's Guide found it "doesn’t quite reach the same "iridescence" or color accuracy as the Pixel 9.

In my testing, I couldn't really tell the Pixel 9 and 9a displays apart that clearly, but I could tell that the 9a display was exceptionally bright for a phone in this price range, and this objectively proves it. If you're like me, and like to take your phone on runs in sunny weather, the 9a is a great fit.

The Google Pixel 9a camera may be downgraded compared to the Pixel 9, but when I looked at my 9a camera samples (I threw a few of them above), the colors are genuinely accurate to real life, without the overprocessing I expected.

People will be excited that the Pixel 9a added Add Me for AI trickery, but I'm a bigger fan of Macro Focus. Get a couple of inches away from a subject, and the viewfinder will show a little green flower symbol and automatically switch to this mode, determining the subject and putting that in focus while the rest blurs out. It's a nice upgrade for Pixel 8a users who upgrade.

The Pixel 9a has its downsides — the lack of optical zoom and struggles with low light, and a general lack of detail compared to more expensive phones — but this is still a Pixel phone, which means you can expect a certain level of quality.

A couple of Pixel 9a reviews and posts — including CNET, Wired, and The Verge — have referenced the recent threats of tariffs, saying that the $499 Pixel 9a is coming at "the right time" and hoping that price doesn't change. Google told CNET that "there are no changes to the pricing and availability of the Pixel 9A" related to tariffs, at least for now.

Without diving into the complicated politics and worsening trade fight between the U.S. and China, it's fair to say that the Pixel 9a should remain at $499 in the short term, but that most tech brands will pass off tariff costs to the consumer if things do escalate.

So aside from the fact that carriers and the Google Store are offering good Pixel 9a pre-order deals, you may want to buy a 9a now, simply to lock in that affordable price.

Ready to chuckle at Google? Here's the "replacement Pixel 9a" that Google just sent to Brady.

Some background: He's been testing the Pixel 9a as well, and he's had issues with the under-display fingerprint sensor refusing to acknowledge his biometrics, even after rescanning them. Google said it must be a defective unit and promised to send him a new Pixel 9a. Instead, he got a Pixel 9 Pro XL, which was definitely a shipping error but feels like Google is trying to subtly tell us something 😂.

In all seriousness, I haven't had any issues with the fingerprint sensor, and glancing over a dozen other Pixel 9a reviews, no one else has mentioned it. So it's entirely possible that it is a rare hardware error rather than anything to worry about. But if you end up having problems, send it back to Google and you might get an accidental $600 upgrade.

Let's talk Pixel 9a colors. Google sent me the Porcelain Pixel 9a, and hoo boy is it the worst of the four. Obsidian (black) is inoffensive and makes the camera sensor blend in more seamlessly, while this off-white Porcelain model only makes the 9a's slab look more apparent.

Google sent Brady the Iris model, which I think must indicate that they like him better than me. If I were to buy a 9a, I'd choose Iris because the soft blue gives it a bit of personality without being quite as gaudy as Peony — which is kind of fun but trends a bit too close to cotton candy coloring for my personal tastes.

One of the big questions with the Pixel 9a was with its last-gen Exynos modem, which is slightly older than the 5400 found in the Pixel 9 series.

The challenge with "reviewing" a modem is that it's highly situational. My Bay Area coverage is fairly comprehensive so that the Pixel 9a rarely struggled with cellular connectivity or excess battery drain throughout my testing period; nor did Brady experience any issues yet. But if you've had problems with the Pixel 8a, it's fair to assume that the 9a will have similar issues.

You also get Wi-Fi 6E support; I find that more than sufficient but people with Wi-Fi 7 routers will disagree.

Hey all, it's Brady Snyder taking over, and I've spent the better part of two weeks testing my Google Pixel 9a review unit in comparison to its biggest competitors — including the Pixel 9, Pixel 8a, Pixel 7a, and Nothing Phone 3a Pro. To start, I want to talk about how the Pixel 9a shakes up against the Pixel 9, which only costs slightly more after deals and promotions.

You're going to hear a lot about how the Pixel 9a has 8GB of RAM, which is four gigabytes fewer than the Google Pixel 9. That means it should perform worse than the Pixel 9, right? Wrong. I was stunned that the Pixel 9a consistently performs better than the Pixel 9 in synthetic benchmark tests, like Geekbench 6.

That means if you don't care about new AI features — like Pixel Screenshots and Call Notes, which are missing — the Pixel 9a is a more than capable daily driver.

You can check out my full breakdown of how these two phones compare here.

Google did something great with this year's Pixel 9a — it is offering storage upgrades in more colors for the first time. On paper, you'll see that the Google Pixel starts at $499 for 128GB of storage, and can be upgraded to 256GB of storage for an extra $100. They're the same storage configurations as last year.

What's different? This year, you aren't stuck buying the Obsidian (Black) colorway if you want extra storage space. With both the Pixel 7a and Pixel 8a, the 256GB storage option was only available for the Obsidian color, limiting your options. Now, you can get the Pixel 9a in 256GB in either the Iris or Obsidian colorways.

The Porcelain and Peony colors are still only available as 128GB models, but this slight expansion is a good start for Google's A-series.

The Google Pixel 9a's memory limitations mean that it can only run Gemini Nano XXS, a smaller and less powerful AI model than the rest of the Pixel 9 series. The good news is that these shortcomings won't affect the Pixel 9a's off-device AI capabilities, like with Gemini Live. The Pixel 9a gets the same Gemini Live with video streaming and screen sharing experience as all the other Pixel 9 and Galaxy S25 series phones, which is impressive at the $499 price point.

More importantly, Gemini Live with video streaming and screen sharing is completely free on the Pixel 9a. Phones from other brands, including older Pixel and Galaxy models, won't get the features free-of-charge. They'll need to pay $20 per month for the Google One AI Premium plan. The Pixel 9a's inclusion of all the latest Gemini Live features is yet another reason why it pays to opt for Google's midranger over the competition.

Plenty of testers, including those at Android Central, have praised the Pixel 9a's new pOLED screen on the Google Pixel 9a, and for good reason. It's the brightest A-series phone ever, topping out at 2,700 nits of peak brightness. If that wasn't enough, it also happens to sport the exact same resolution as the regular Pixel 9. The bezels are bigger on the Pixel 9a, but that fades away pretty quickly when you start using the device.

However, the bigger deal might be that the Pixel 9a now has a 6.3-inch screen for the first time. The Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a both had 6.1-inch displays, which made them a smaller and more compact offering. Now, the Pixel 9a and the Pixel 9 have the same exact screen size, further reducing the differences between models. Do you think Google should've stuck with a more compact form factor for the A-series?

The Google Pixel 9a's controversial design has been well-chronicled, and I can't decide whether I love it or hate it. One thing's for sure — if Google wanted to go for a flat back, it should've made the Pixel 9a completely flat. Instead, the company split the middle, creating a phone that's nearly flat with a slight protrusion for the cameras coming out of the polycarbonate plastic back.

This causes a few real-world issues. I've noticed that the tiny crack between the glass camera covering and the plastic trim quickly becomes a dust magnet, capturing all the lint in your pocket. Additionally, the Pixel 9a's rear camera covering seems more prone to getting covered in dust or scratches due to the design. For reference, while the Pixel 9's camera bar protrudes from the phone's back glass, the camera glass is actually slightly recessed in that aluminum bar.

It's something to consider before buying a Pixel 9a, but I don't think it should be a dealbreaker.

Overheating has been an all-too-common problem on past Google Pixel phones, but what about on the new Pixel 9a? Like the other Tensor G4-powered phones, the Pixel 9a usually operates fine even in tough conditions. However, that's not to say it won't ever overheat. I happen to live in Phoenix, Arizona, which is an absolutely grueling climate for anything with a battery.

Today, it's 97-degrees Fahrenheit, and I made the mistake of leaving my Pixel 9a in direct sunlight for about 10 to 15 minutes. The screen was off, but the phone ended up shutting down completely and restarting after that span. To be fair, my M2 MacBook Air crashed less than a minute afterward, so this isn't a Pixel 9a problem. It is something to keep in mind if you live in an unusually-hot climate, though.

After thoroughly testing the Google Pixel 9a, the impressive new feature that stands out to me is Macro Focus. To be clear, the feature isn't new, appearing on the rest of the Pixel 9 series and even Pixel phones older than that. However, the Pixel 9a represents the first time an A-series phone gets to use Macro Focus.

Google now uses the main, 48MP camera for Macro Focus on the Pixel 9a. Previously, the Pixel 8a used the 13MP ultrawide lens to create pseudo-macro shots that didn't turn out that amazing. Meanwhile, the experience with Macro Focus on the Pixel 9a couldn't be more different. It's not a gimmick — it really provides a stunning level of detail, down to the hairs on a tomato plant.

Hours deep into Google Pixel 9a launch day, there still are plenty of ways to get your hands on a new phone quickly. In fact, the Pixel 9a is available for in-store pickup at select Google Store locations today, including at Google's NYC Williamsburg and Chelsea stores. Depending on your location, you could be looking at delivery dates for all Pixel 9a colors around April 16 or April 17 — about a week away.

Google Store is also offering a limited-time promotion that'll net you $100 store credit toward your next purchase when you buy an unlocked Pixel 9a.

Looking for some accessories to pair with the Google Pixel 9a? There's the official silicone case, which only costs $30 and will perfectly match the Pixel 9a color and finish of your choice. It's slim and soft, and makes the back of the Pixel 9a completely flat once the case is installed. From there, you'll want to check out the $99 Pixel Buds A-series and the Pixel Watch 3 for your audio and smartwatch needs.

The Google Pixel 9a had a rocky start. A "component quality issue" delayed its launch by weeks, and early reports about an outdated Exynos modem and limited Gemini Nano tools raised concerns that it would fall short of the A-series' usual quality.

That's why I focused my Pixel 9a review period on stress-testing its apparent weak points. I tested the modem's performance and drain in remote areas, put Gemini through its paces, and checked for any Tensor performance issues with overheating.

My ultimate perspective? The Pixel 9a has kept up the A-series legacy as a solid value flagship. I did notice compromises in terms of camera quality and long-term AI viability, but they're reasonable cutbacks that only power users won't accept.

And the revamped Pixel 9a battery life is good enough to even make Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro owners jealous.

Google Pixel 9a: Price and availability

After a delayed launch, the Google Pixel 9a arrived April 10 at the Google Store, carrier sites, and retailers like Best Buy. The 8 GB/128 GB variant costs $499 / £499 / €549 / CA$679; the 8GB/256GB model costs $599 / £599 / €649 / CA$809 / Rs 49,999.

As with most Pixel A-series phones, the Google Pixel 9a has the same processor, display, and storage as the mainline Pixel 9 but with other cutbacks. If the Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 9 differences are too stark, look into an upgrade.

Google Pixel 9a: Specs

Google Pixel 9a: Design

• The Pixel 9a is uniformly thick, replacing the camera bar with a teardrop sensor.
• It's water-resistant but weakly protected against scratches.

The Pixel 9a has the same machine-cut, flat-sided aesthetic as most Android phones and iPhones these days. Its only claim to fame is the ultra-slim, teardrop camera sensor that's a bit too subtle, squeezed into the corner of a flat, matte slab.

The classic Pixel camera bar catches on pockets but steadies your phone on flat surfaces. Thankfully, the left-aligned 9a sensor is so thin that it prevents any wobbling. It's easy to browse and tap the 9a on a desk or wireless charger, and it's much simpler to slide it into my jeans pocket.

Google justified removing its trademark camera bar by explaining it was necessary to "eliminate battery anxiety" with more capacity and make the 9a vapor chamber larger for better thermals.

This naturally made the 9a thicker, so they had to slim down the display and camera sensors to keep it at the same 8.9mm thickness as the Pixel 8a. Frankly, that's not very slim, but the 8a has softer edges to ease the grip a bit.

Removing the camera bar was the right decision: Battery life is the trademark feature the 9a needed, the cooling chamber seems to be effective for performance, and it offsets the extra weight. The trade-off is that the thicker grip takes some getting used to.

Still, it's lighter and easier to hold than most 6.7-inch budget phones; the 9a isn't a "small phone," but it falls into a decent sweet spot.

I also appreciate that the Pixel 9a has IP68 dust and water resistance, a slight bump over last year's IP67 standard. Unfortunately, Google stuck with Gorilla Glass 3 for protection, saving Victus 2 for the mainline Pixel 9s. I don't have any scratches yet, but it's only a matter of time without a screen protector.

Caseless daredevils will enjoy the Pixel 9a's matte finish that doesn't show fingerprints (at least on my Porcelain model). I also appreciated that the volume rocker and power button have a more subtle click than the Pixel 8a when pressed.

Google Pixel 9a: Display

• The display matches the Pixel 9's for size, brightness, refresh rate, and resolution.
• It's much brighter than most cheap and mid-range phones.

Google essentially transplanted the Pixel 9 display onto the Pixel 9a. You get the same 6.3-inch size, FHD resolution, non-LTPO 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 2,700 nits of brightness outdoors or 1,800 nits with HDR.

Practically speaking, no phone hits its peak brightness score without manipulated conditions. However, that 1,800 high-brightness mode (HBM) score is legitimate: the 9a is comfortably readable with decent color saturation in direct California sunlight, while the Pixel 8a (1,400 nits) is dimmer and less pleasant to use outdoors.

Compare the Pixel 9a against the OnePlus 13R (1,600 nits HBM) or Galaxy A56 (1,200), and it's clearly the best mid-range phone for the outdoors.

Despite the 9a's tradeoffs in other areas, it's visually uncompromised from the Pixel 9 — except for its lesser Gorilla Glass protection, slightly thicker black border, and 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. I watched vivid YouTube nature videos side by side on the Pixel 9 and 9a, and I couldn't see any clear difference in color accuracy or contrast.

The 9a fingerprint sensor has been speedy and responsive, with no failed readings after several months. My colleague Brady's first 9a review unit had fingerprint problems due to an isolated hardware issue; however, a replacement unit resolved this issue.

Unless you're used to QHD+ resolution or have PWM sensitivity, you should love the Pixel 9a display experience. Just be ready to buy a screen protector.

Google Pixel 9a: Hardware and performance

• Its Tensor G4 performance matches 9 and 9 Pro in many benchmarks, though short for some thanks to lower RAM.
• Lower memory also restricts on-device Gemini Nano tricks.

The classic A-series appeal is getting a "flagship" chip in a mid-range phone. Tensor chips have fallen behind top-tier Snapdragon and Dimensity chips for raw power — though the TSMC-made G5 may change that — but the Tensor G4 feels like a much better fit for a $499 phone than a $999 Pixel 9 Pro.

Past A-series phones had slight Tensor differences, such as worse thermals, which impacted performance; that's not the case with the Pixel 9a.

Its thicker redesign incorporates proper vapor cooling, which pays off in the benchmarks: the Pixel 9a is the slowest of the three phones, but by a very slim margin, and its graphical performance is right in the mix, despite having 4–8GB less RAM.

This year's Snapdragon flagships may surpass the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, but when it comes to mid-range phones, the Tensor G4 easily outperforms the competition in browsing, gaming, and AI.

My colleagues resented that the Pixel 9 & 9 Pro default to 128GB UFS 3.1 storage, with no UFS 4.0 option for faster data transfer and game loading. That's a fair complaint for flagships, but this storage level is a reasonable default for mid-tier phones.

Otherwise, the hardware perks I've liked on other Pixels apply here, particularly the subtle but strong haptics and fairly rich stereo sound whenever I'm not using wireless earbuds.

In terms of specific 9a downgrades, the 8GB of memory has little noticeable impact on day-to-day browsing or Android gaming, aside from some occasional lag while editing photos. However, it does restrict a few Gemini Nano-powered features that require on-device AI, which I'll address in the software section.

You also get Wi-Fi 6e, though the 9a adds more antennas with 2x2 MIMO. Whether I used wireless or cellular over the Exynos modem, I didn't notice any connectivity issues, dropped calls, or slow downloads over Google Fi. Your mileage may vary based on your network and region; if you're concerned, consider getting a Pixel 9 with Wi-Fi 7 and a newer modem.

Google Pixel 9a: Battery life & charging

• Battery life is Pixel 9a's greatest strength, lasting over a day with heavy use and two days with light use.
• Slow charging speed is a weakness, especially wireless charging.

Battery life is the star of the Pixel 9a show. Google estimates 30+ hours, a 6-hour boost over the 8a. We called last year's A-series "disappointing" for battery life, while the Pixel 9a easily lasts a day with 120Hz toggled, heavy gaming, streaming, camera, and AI use, with juice to spare.

Both Brady and I found that we could stretch the 9a to two days with more casual use and decent standby battery life. And my colleague Harish raved that it gives the "best battery longevity of any Pixel I've used in the last nine years," with an average of 1.5 days with heavy use.

Many other budget phones have 5,000mAh+ capacity but much larger displays and less efficient chipsets than the Tensor G4, so they're more likely to need daily charging. The Pixel 9a might be a sleeper pick for people who'd normally buy the Moto G Power 2025 or other big battery phones.

The Pixel 9a's longevity mitigates its problem with slow 23W charging. Because it'll easily last a full day and night with capacity to spare, it might not matter that it takes about 20 minutes to hit 25%, 46 minutes to 50%, or 105 minutes to hit 100% with a 30W charger. Pixel 9 charging is barely any faster, so you're not missing out on anything.

I rarely use wireless charging, but let's be frank: at 7.5W, it's only suited for overnight charging where speed doesn't matter. Otherwise, it's so slow as to be almost pointless.

Google Pixel 9a: Software and Gemini

• You get wide range of Gemini text and image generation tools.
• Current and future on-device AI tools are restricted thanks to lower memory.

Let's get the obvious stuff out of the way: the Pixel 9a gets seven years of OS updates and security patches, leaving behind most mid-range phones with two or three OS versions at most.

The Pixel 9a uses stock Android 15, with all of the Pixel touches you're used to. It's been an entirely normal experience, but I must acknowledge Google's... spotty track record with Pixel Drops that introduce performance issues. The current patch is great, but long-term A-series buyers should be prepared for occasional issues.

Gemini is the star of the show. When I put my Pixel 9 and 9a side-by-side and had them perform AI tasks, the 9a was identically speedy and proficient.

Gemini 2.0 Flash described fun manatee facts and the history of pizza-making. Magic Editor added fun backgrounds to boring selfies. Pixel Studio generated silly Android mascot images. And I held conversations with Gemini Live. There wasn't any noticeable difference.

In terms of new features over the Pixel 8a, Google gave the 9a support for Add Me, Astrophotography, and Macro Focus, helping you take better photos. I was even able to try the new Advanced Live video streaming feature on the 9a.

That said, the Pixel 9a has a slightly watered-down version of Gemini Nano for on-device AI tasks, thanks to its 8GB of RAM.

That means no access to Pixel Screenshots or Call Notes, nor any future Nano-powered AI tricks introduced on the Pixel 10 series. That won't bother casual users who mostly use Gemini like Google Search, but power users will resent their absence.

Google Pixel 9a: Cameras

• Google's post-processing helps 9a photos look rich and color-accurate despite a small main sensor.
• Macro Focus is a strength; low-light and zoom photos are less reliable.

Google kept the Pixel 9a ultrawide and selfie cameras unchanged, and its new 48MP main sensor is smaller than the 64MP sensor on the Pixel 8a — though it has a larger aperture. It's near-identical to the primary Pixel 9 Pro Fold camera, another device that Google strove to keep relatively thin.

My Pixel 9a camera samples show how the phone captures vivid colors and decent detail in good lighting, but only when I get decently close to my subject. The lack of optical zoom and smaller sensor that captures less light makes it less reliable than the 9 Pro in less-than-ideal conditions.

The Pixel 9a's biggest strength is its new Macro Focus mode, shown above, which senses when you're close to your subject and turns this mode on by default. It also uses image recognition to focus on the entire subject, where other macro modes only focus on one tiny spot and blur the rest.

My colleague Brady conducted an in-depth Pixel 9a vs. 8a vs. 7a camera comparison that reaches the same conclusions: the 9a's strengths are color accuracy and Macro Focus, while its weaknesses are low-light photos and its lack of optical zoom.

Generally speaking, the Pixel 9a outperforms almost any mid-range phone for camera quality. If you want an uncompromised photo experience, you'll need to pay twice as much for the Pixel 9 Pro.

Google Pixel 9a: Competition

The Pixel 9a tops our best cheap Android phones list. One alternative, the Samsung Galaxy A56, has a dimmer 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED with better Victus+ protection. It gets six years of OS updates and has faster 45W charging. But our tester hated the laggy Exynos 1580 performance, limited AI tools, worse battery life, and "inconsistent" photo quality.

The OnePlus 13R costs $100 more for a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip with more raw power paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB UFS 4.0 storage, plus a 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED, 6,000mAh battery with 80W charging, and a 50MP telephoto lens. This is a true value flagship, but again, it's a bit expensive, quite heavy, and only gets four years of OS updates.

The Nothing Phone 3a Pro is another alternative. At $459, you get 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, dual 50MP sensors with a 3X periscope lens for good camera quality, a 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display, and six years of support. But you also get a slower Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, Wi-Fi 6, a heavy design with a bulky camera island, and IP64 water resistance.

Google Pixel 9a: Should you buy it?

You should buy the Google Pixel 9a if...

• You want the best possible battery life paired with Pixel smarts.
• You see Gemini AI as an exciting novelty (but maybe not a daily necessity).
• Google's trademark software support and camera processing appeal to you.

You shouldn't buy the Google Pixel 9a if...

• You care about Wi-Fi 7, Gemini Nano, or telephoto lenses.
• You want a larger display or blazing charging speeds (especially wireless).
• You want the best possible benchmarks or pro camera tools.

I don't know what Google fixed with its component quality delay, but it seems to have worked.

Usually, I start to catch flaws with tech devices in the months after a review. But so far, my Pixel 9a experience hasn't shown any new pain points. And although my Pixel 9 is better in many ways, I find myself continuing to use the 9a simply because I'm spoiled by the battery life.

It's easy to take the A-Series for granted, but it's rare to spend $499 on a "flagship" chip and excellent AI-backed photography. Now that we get epic battery life too, the Pixel 9a is tough competition for any mid-range phone. I still kinda miss the camera bar, but I can live with that.

The Google Pixel 9a is here, and it packs a new primary rear camera for the first time in two generations. Google ditched the 64MP primary sensor on the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a for a 48MP wide camera on the Pixel 9a. By now, you might be wondering why Google went with a smaller primary camera sensor with fewer megapixels and how it performs compared to previous-generation Pixels.

As it turns out, Google switched to a different main camera in part to make the Pixel 9's almost-flush camera system possible. "Pixel 9a has an all-new rear main camera that enables the new industrial design and new Macro Focus," the company told Android Central.

After two weeks of testing the Pixel 9a, Pixel 8a, and Pixel 7a side-by-side, I can confidently say that the latest camera hardware isn't a noticeable downgrade from the older models. You might notice a slight dip in detail in certain situations, specifically in unfavorable lighting conditions. But you'd need to zoom in to notice, and it's a minuscule drop compared to all the other Pixel 9a camera improvements.

Notably, the Google Pixel 9a appears to reverse a recent trend with Pixel cameras that oversaturated colors at the expense of accuracy. The Pixel 9a is the most color-accurate Google phone I've tested in at least a few generations, and that should be the main takeaway here. Let's dive in and explore how the Pixel 9a, Pixel 8a, and Pixel 7a fare in head-to-head rear camera tests.

Google Pixel 9a vs. 8a vs. 7a: Main camera

First, let's start out with some specs. The Google Pixel 9a is equipped with a 48MP, f/1.7 primary camera with a 1/2-inch image sensor size. By comparison, both the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a have a 64MP, f/1.89 primary camera with a 1/1.73-inch image sensor size. The change in megapixel count shouldn't concern you at all (the Pixel 9 has a 50MP camera, for reference), but the smaller image sensor size on the Pixel 9a was initially concerning.

Image sensor size directly correlates to image quality because bigger sensors can take in more light and color information, leading to more detailed shots. However, it isn't the only thing that leads to great smartphone photos — other things like computational photography, color science, and image processing also play a huge role.

In the image gallery of camera sample comparisons below, you'll see that there isn't a noticeable drop-off in detail between the Pixel 9a, Pixel 8a, and Pixel 7a in daylight.

In terms of detail and quality, the Pixel 9a matches or beats the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a in every test. What really caught my eye was the differences in HDR and color science in photos captured with the Pixel 9a. Whether it's related to the camera sensor itself, upgraded Tensor G4 chip, or software, it leads to photos that more accurately represent the landscape you're trying to capture.

I live in the Arizona desert, an environment that Google Pixel cameras of all price points have struggled to capture accurately. Google's preference for vibrant and colorful photos has often oversaturated these kinds of shots. For instance, in some examples above captured with the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a, the sky is too deep of a blue, or the sand is too deep of an orange.

Meanwhile, the Pixel 9a accurately depicts the sand in the photos above as a tan color rather than a clay color. The sky and water are often less vibrant when captured with the Pixel 9a as opposed to older models, but that's for the best. It is the more accurate representation of the environment and could mark a breakthrough for Google.

I came away incredibly pleased with the fresh take on color science with the Pixel 9a. It's improved not only compared to the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a but also compared to the regular Pixel 9.

Google Pixel 9a vs. 8a vs. 7a: Ultrawide & macro photography

The Pixel 9a's main camera shares specifications with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's main camera, which could mean it's the exact same sensor. Regardless, this leads to the Pixel 9a getting the same Macro Focus feature as the Pixel 9 series (first added to the Pixel 7 Pro). It intelligently tries to identify and isolate objects that are close to the camera lens, around five centimeters away, using a mix of hardware and software.

Google has a handful of excellent camera features, like Add Me and Best Take, but Macro Focus on the Pixel 9a might be my favorite one yet, and that's a high compliment. The feature isn't perfect—it occasionally blurs a small part of the intended object or not enough of the background. That being said, Macro Focus produces the best macro shots on a phone without a dedicated macro lens.

As you can see in the photos above, the Pixel 9a does a better job at blurring the background than both the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a. It also provides much more detail than older A-series Pixel phones. My favorite Macro Focus shot captured the individual hairs (technically called trichomes) on a tomato plant, as you can see below.

The ultrawide camera on the Pixel 9a is the exact same one featured on both the Pixel 8a and the Pixel 7a. It's a 13MP ultrawide lens with an f/2.2 aperture and a 120-degree field of view. Naturally, the Pixel 9a, Pixel 8a, and Pixel 7a produce ultrawide shots with similar levels of detail.

Once again, the Pixel 9a's improved color science creates a photo that's drastically more accurate than the Pixel 8a despite using the same hardware.

With the primary and ultrawide lenses, you can take photos at optical quality at both 0.5x and 1x zoom. Any further zoom than that will be using digital zoom, with Super Res Zoom available at up to 8x. By contrast, the Pixel 9, which also has two lenses, is able to capture optical quality images at 2x zoom.

Although its omission is understandable, given the Pixel 9a's price point, it's hard to live without optical-quality zoom at higher levels.

Google Pixel 9a vs. 8a vs. 7a: Low-light capture

It's relatively unsurprising that the Pixel 9a turns in good photos with favorable lighting conditions, but how does it fare when the sun starts to set? This is the area where the Pixel 9a's smaller sensor might start to hurt it compared to the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a. The results do confirm that the Pixel 9a has ever-so-slightly less detail in night shots than the prior two generations, but not enough to be meaningful.

Specifically, you start to notice the small dip in detail when looking at something far off in a photo. In the first example photo, you can see the yellow pedestrian crossing sign looks a bit more blurry than the equivalent shots captured by the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a.

A similar situation occurs with the barbecue restaurant's lighted sign in the fifth photo. These signs aren't as crisp and clear when captured by the Pixel 9a, but you have to zoom in to notice.

Night shots were the most hit-or-miss aspect of the Pixel 9a camera system, with some photos turning out perfect and others looking grainy or over-smoothened in processing. Still, you can say that of almost every budget phone's camera system, so this isn't a huge knock on the Pixel 9a.

If all you care about is raw detail, I could see the argument for preferring the Pixel 8a's main camera sensor. Personally, I think the Pixel 9a's improved color science and Macro Focus mode more than make up for any tiny loss in clarity you might notice.

How good is the Pixel 9a camera?

I was very skeptical of the Google Pixel 9a's camera performance, as the lower megapixel count and smaller sensor size could've led to a drastic drop in detail compared to previous A-series Pixels. However, that didn't turn out to be the case. I've criticized recent Google Pixel cameras for being too vibrant and inaccurate in terms of color science in the past, so it's a big deal to me that this is improved with the Pixel 9a.

As you can see in the final gallery below, the Pixel 9a can take great shots in a number of situations, performing better the more light there is available.

So, if you're in the market for a Pixel 9a and get spooked by the seemingly-worse camera system, there isn't any reason to panic. The Google Pixel 9a produces photos that are better holistically than both the Pixel 8a and the Pixel 7a. Due to the Pixel 8a's extremely poor color accuracy, the Pixel 9a's camera will be a noticeable improvement year-over-year.

So, you’re looking for an affordable phone that has premium features. It sounds like an impossible feat but it isn’t. There really are tons of great Android phones that don’t cost an arm and a leg but still rival some of the best phones out there when it comes to processing power, cameras, and even AI integration. Sure, you’ll make a few concessions whether it’s relating to materials, battery life, storage, or some other aspect. But for many users, these phones will do just fine.

Two models worth considering are the Moto G Stylus 2025 vs Google Pixel 9a, both of which only recently just launched and thus are probably on your radar. Here, we’ll help you choose between them.

Moto G Stylus 2025 vs Google Pixel 9a: The design and basic features

Just launched in April 2025, the Moto G Stylus 2025 comes in funky Pantone colors like Gibraltar Sea and Surf the Web and boasts a leather-inspired finish. Equipped with a 6.7-inch pOLED Super HD AMOLED screen with 2,712 x 1,220 resolution and adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, you’ll get up to 3,000 nits brightness for comfortable viewing even in bright sunlight.

The ultra-thin and lightweight phone has a 5,000 mAh battery that can last for 40+ hours: that’s almost two full days! When you need to recharge, it supports both 68W TurboPower wired charging (with an optional adapter) and 15W wireless charging. With a 68W charger, you can get another full day of use after just a 15-minute charge, so it’s worth the investment to get one.

The phone is durable, too, meeting IP68 certification for water- and dust-resistance, along with MIL-STD-810H standards. A nice inclusion is that it comes with a built-in stylus, which makes things like taking notes, navigating webpages, sketching, and even using AI features seamlessly. The stylus boasts improved responsiveness as well, compared to last year’s model.

Choose either 128GB or 256GB storage but you’re locked there unless you use the cloud as there’s no memory card slot for adding more on-board. The 5G phone has dual SIMs, NFC, GPS, and Bluetooth 5.4 along with dual stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos and two mics.

How does the Google Pixel 9a, also arriving in early April, compare? It’s pretty similar. It comes in Iris, Peony, Porcelain, or Obsidian with a composite matte back and satin metal finish. The Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Actua OLED screen is smaller at 6.3 inches boasting a lesser 2,424 x 1,080 resolution, 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and up to 2,700 nits brightness. Michael L. Hicks says in his early hands-on that it’s the first hard-edges, no-camera-bar Pixel he has seen to date. There’s no camera bar, however, a design choice to make room for a larger battery. Indeed, he admits it’s very rare to see a battery this large in a phone so thin, and that’s a good thing.

Also thin and lightweight, though it’s a smidge lighter, the Google Pixel 9a has a 5,100mAh battery, the largest yet for a Pixel phone, along with a larger vapor chamber for keeping it cool while multitasking or especially gaming. You’ll get an impressive 30+ hours of use per charge, but you can extend this to up to 100 hours, or just over four days, using Extreme Battery Saver mode. It supports both fast and wireless charging as well, but at a much slower rate of 23W and 7.5W, respectively.

There’s no stylus with this phone, but it does offer the same IP68 rating along with a fingerprint-resistant design. It, too, comes with either 128GB or 256GB storage, which is non-expandable.

As a 5G phone as well, you’ll get the same NFC, GPS, dual SIM, and stereo speakers with a pair of mics (no Dolby Atmos support), and it offers Bluetooth 5.3 instead. There are some useful inclusions with this phone, however, so you can get more from it out of the box. This includes a three-month subscription to Google One for additional cloud storage, three months of access to YouTube Premium, and six months of Fitbit Premium, ideal to use alongside an accessory like the Google Pixel Watch 3.

Moto G Stylus 2025 vs Google Pixel 9a: The specs

Let’s look at the specs of these two phones in a side-by-side comparison.

Moto G Stylus 2025 vs Google Pixel 9a: What can these phones do?

Now, it’s time to get busy with these two phones. What can they do?

The Moto G Stylus 2025 comes out of the box with Android 15 and comes with two OS updates and three years of bi-monthly security patches. So it will last you for some time, but not as long as the Google Pixel 9a.

Running on a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, you’ll get 8GB RAM with the RAM Boost feature that can use reserve storage as RAM. Historically, however, we have found this feature to be finicky and typically not worth leveraging.

You’ll find Google’s AI features and Moto AI processing, mainly for use with the camera. Thanks to the included stylus, this phone is great for both productivity and creativity. There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking about this phone, but it has all the usuals you’d expect in a Moto device like Moto Secure, Family Space, and Moto Unplugged.

The Google Pixel 9a is an AI user’s dream thanks to deep integration with Google Gemini, which you’ll find in the entire Pixel 9 series as well as older models. Google also supports this phone with a whopping seven years of OS and security updates along with frequent Pixel Drops, so you’ll get a lot bang for your buck. It comes out of the box with the latest Android 15 OS.

The Google Tensor G4 processor affords a smooth experience alongside Titan M2 security, though benchmarks have historically shown that it falls short of Snapdragon-powered phones. It has the same 8GB RAM and adds useful features Pixel owners have come to love, like Pixel Call Assist, Clear Calling, Call Screen, and Hold for Me.

There are also useful safety features like car crash detection that will call emergency services for you, emergency SOS, crisis alerts, VPN by Google, and the option to auto-lock the device should it be lost or stolen. There’s also built-in anti-malware and anti-phishing features, so you can be assured that you’re getting an iron-clad experience.

The big differentiator here is that Google has built Gemini right into the phone, so you get access to the AI assistant to help with just about any task, question, or activity you’re performing.

Moto G Stylus 2025 vs Google Pixel 9a: Capturing and editing photos and videos

Now, let’s turn our attention to the cameras. The Moto G Stylus 2025 has a 50MP main camera with a Sony LYTIA 700C sensor and OIS complemented by a 13MP rear ultra-wide camera with macro vision and a 32MP front camera. There’s also a 3-in-1 light sensor in the rear camera. It can also shoot 4K videos with features like slow motion.

There are tons of camera features, like ultra-res, portrait, pro, 360° panorama, night vision, RAW, HDR, tilt-shift, and even a scan option, powered by Adobe Scan. Leveraging Moto AI processing, you can also enjoy features like auto smile capture, Google Lens, and more.

The stylus has a neat feature called Sketch to Image whereby you can use AI to bring your drawings to life in Moto Note. Additionally, AI is used through the photo enhancement engine, which analyzes frames to help preserve details and yield the best possible results. Google Photos AI, meanwhile, further helps you fine-tune your images. You can also leverage the stylus to use features like Google’s Circle to Search, which is available on this phone, too.

We haven’t yet had the chance to try the cameras but can bring more insights soon.

Comparatively, the Google Pixel 9a has a 48MP wide main camera, 13MP ultra-wide, and 13MP front camera, so you might not get selfies that are as good. The real magic comes with Google's incredible photo editing features.

Along with night sight, macro focus, and long exposure, you can play around with features like Add Me, which allows the photographer to add themselves to a group shot after the fact; Best Take, Face Unblur, and Magic Editor for removing distracting elements from a photo, repositioning subjects, and more. There are also features like Super Res Zoom.

We’re reviewing this phone right now, so stay tuned for more!

Moto G Stylus 2025 vs Google Pixel 9a: Which should you choose?

It’s a truly tough decision between the Moto G Stylus 2025 vs. Google Pixel 9a. Both are new phones and affordable options in the line. They boast similar specs with some minor differences. The Moto G Stylus 2025 is cheaper, but you’re missing out on the deep Google AI integration.

The Moto G Stylus 2025 is the bigger phone with the included stylus that’s a no-brainer for those who love to use one (though you could buy one of the best stylus separately to use with the Google Pixel 9a if you really wanted to). Both phones are equally durable and both offer fantastic battery life.

Based on specs alone, the Moto G Stylus 2025 has better cameras, but the Google Pixel 9a can’t be beat when it comes to photo editing and being able to correct otherwise throwaway shots or capturing images you might not otherwise be able to get (like a group shot without having to ask a passer-by to take it).

Historically, Google Pixel phones are reliable and excel in virtually every department, and the Google Pixel 9a is no exception. It’s not a massive step down from the more expensive Google Pixel 9, which offers faster charging, improved cameras, and more RAM. Considering the price, that’s a pretty enticing value proposition.

Because of this heavy integration with AI, all the add-ons you get, and the lengthy support of seven years, we’d go with the Google Pixel 9a over the Moto G Stylus 2025. But, if you want the stylus, you love Moto phones, need a bigger screen, and want to enjoy ultra-fast recharging, the Moto G Stylus 2025 isn’t a bad choice by any means.

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is a new entrant in the budget space and is the successor to the Galaxy A35 5G. The most notable upgrades include more years of OS upgrades, HDR video recording with the front camera, faster charging, and a brighter display. The A36 5G also has a more premium design, which makes it a solid phone to have on your shopping list. For roughly $100 more though, there's also the Pixel 9a that's worth considering for its flagship-grade processor and software.

While the new Galaxy A56 5G is more of a direct competitor to the Pixel 9a, that's coming later in the year whereas the Galaxy A36 5G can be bought right now, in the U.S.. Looking at the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G vs. Google Pixel 9a, should you spend that extra $100 for the Pixel or get the Samsung and spend that money on accessories? Let's find out.

Design and display: How do the Galaxy A36 and Pixel 9a compare in design and display quality?

Samsung has tweaked the designs of the new A series once again, making them look more up-market than before. The Galaxy A36 5G features flat sides with curved portions for the button area and narrower bezels around the display compared to the older model. The camera bump design has changed from individual cutouts for the lenses to a singular vertical pill-shaped layout. The phone is available in two colors, Awesome Black and Awesome Lavender, the latter of which is the better shade in my opinion.

The Galaxy A36 is slimmer than the Pixel 9a at just 7.4mm, but it's heavier at 195 grams. I don't mind this since the A36 5G is one of the few budget phones to sport a glass back, and Gorilla Glass Victus Plus at that. This is the same scratch-resistant glass used over the massive 6.7-inch display. It's a Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a high peak brightness of up to 1,900 nits. The body of the phone is also IP67-rated for dust and water resistance.

The Pixel 9a has an interesting new design which will take some getting used to. It's lighter than the Samsung at 186 grams, but is thicker at 8.9mm. The back panel is plastic which is what contributes to the lower weight. The 9a does come in some cool pastel colors like Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, and Peony. All those that hate rear camera bumps will love the Pixel 9a's design as the back is nearly all flat. You do get an aluminum frame though which is sturdier than the plastic frame on the Galaxy.

Despite being $100 more, the Pixel 9a's display looks more of the budget variety than the A36, mainly due to the thick bezels. Scratch protection is not the best either as it uses the much older Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The display is pOLED though, with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2,700 nits of peak brightness. The size of the display is smaller than the Samsung A36, which is not ideal for media consumption but it is a lot more pocketable. Google has kicked it up a notch with weather resistance as the Pixel 9a now gets an IP68 rating, just like most flagships.

Hardware and specs: What are the key spec differences between the Galaxy A36 and Pixel 9a?

Samsung has launched just one variant of the Galaxy A36 5G in the U.S. with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage for $399.99. Other regions will have more variants like 8GB RAM and up to 256GB of storage. The 6GB of RAM is a bit concerning considering this phone will be supported for the next six years. Powering the A36 5G is a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, which is presumably a small step down from the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, which was not too different from the Gen 1 chip from 2021. It's a strictly mid-tier processor, so you can expect similar performance, which is to say, decent multitasking and casual gaming but not much else.

The Pixel 9a on the other hand uses the Tensor G4 SoC, which is also found in Google's flagship phone range. While it's no match for Qualcomm's best, it will certainly be better than the processor in the A36 5G. This makes the Pixel 9a better suited for gaming and heavier workloads. The 9a starts at $499 and goes on sale on April 10, 2025. It has 8GB RAM and two storage variants of 128GB and 256GB.

Samsung doesn't specify how long the Galaxy A36 5G will last but given the 5,000mAh capacity and mid-range chip, you should expect at least a day and a half, if not more, on one charge. A lot of it will also depend on the types of apps you use and how many run in the background. Charging is fairly quick thanks to 45W wired charging speeds, which is something we haven't seen before for this series. The charger will have to be bought separately though. Wireless charging is missing, which I don't think many would care about at this price.

The Galaxy A36 5G features a 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro camera. There's a 12MP camera on the front. Compared to the previous model, the A36 can now shoot 4K HDR video with the front camera as well. We've yet to test the Galaxy A36 so it's hard to say how good or bad the cameras will be, other than they should do just fine for your Instagram posts.

The Pixel 9a comes with an equally large battery of 5,100mAh, which again, should easily offer multi-day battery life. This is the largest battery we've had yet on any Pixel. Charging speed is much slower though, at just 23W with Google's 45W adapter. As a consolation, you do get wireless charging at 7.5W if you're a fan of this technology.

Cameras is one area where the Pixel 9a will no doubt dominate. The 9a has a 48MP main and a 13MP ultrawide on the back, and a 13MP module in the front. Just like the Samsung, the 9a can also shoot 4K with the front and rear cameras. It might not have a macro camera, but it supports features like Macro Focus.

Software: Which phone has a better software experience, the Galaxy A36 or Pixel 9a?

Both phones are pretty evenly matched in terms of software support and features. The Galaxy A36 5G ships with One UI 7 which is based on Android 15, and will be getting six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security patches. This is the first time Samsung has pledged such as long-term support for its A series phones. The A36 5G also gets some AI features from the flagships like Circle to Search and Enhanced Object Eraser, but not the full roster. To differentiate this AI suite from the S series, Samsung is calling it "Awesome Intelligence" instead of Galaxy AI.

The Google Pixel 9a has the same software as every other Pixel 9 series and that's great, because you get all the AI features from the more expensive models. The 9a will also be getting seven years of OS and security upgrades, which is more than the Galaxy. However, Google already has an expiration date in mind, which means the 9a will get whatever Android version was launched before that. The A36 on the other hand has been promised six "generations" of updates, so depending on how Google plans its future Android releases, the Galaxy might just end up getting the same number of Android versions as the Pixel.

Which one offers better value?: Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Google Pixel 9a?

It's actually a lot tougher to pick a single winner here since they both deliver incredible value at their price points. At $400, the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is easily one of the best cheap Android phones. It offers similar features as the Pixel 9a and does a few better like the 45W charging, a slimmer design, and a more scratch-resistant screen. You're not really missing out on much other than maybe gaming performance, limited storage, and no wireless charging.

The Pixel 9a starts at $100 more, but offers a more robust IP rating, a brighter display, a more compact body, a lighter design, wireless charging, and a more potent processor. It also has more AI tricks than the Galaxy and an extra year of updates.

If you happen to find both at a similar price at some point during sales, I'd pick the Google Pixel 9a in a heartbeat. Despite its budget looks, I feel it's a more hardy phone to have for the long run.

What you need to know

• Google will launch a new battery preservation feature, Battery health assistance, later this year.
• The Google Pixel 9a is the only device currently confirmed to be getting the new feature.
• New devices will be required to use Battery health assistance, but it'll be optional for existing ones.

Google's Pixel 9a will hit shelves April 10, packing a significantly-larger battery capacity than its predecessor. However, that's not the only battery upgrade the Pixel 9a brings along. The Google Pixel 9a will also receive with a new feature called "Battery health assistance," as explained by a support document linked on its Google Store listing (via 9to5Google).

"Your Pixel 9a will receive a software update that automatically helps manage the long term health and performance of its battery as it ages," the company explains. "This software will adjust the battery’s maximum voltage in stages that start at 200 charge cycles and continue gradually until 1000 charge cycles to help stabilize battery performance and aging."

For those that are unfamiliar, Pixel phones — like most electronics — use lithium-ion batteries that are consumable components. That means they will degrade over time due to a number of factors, including temperature, charge cycles, and age. Eventually, all lithium-ion batteries will need to be replaced.

There are steps that can be taken to preserve the long-term health of your phone's battery and overall performance, though. These can include intentionally throttling a device's performance to accommodate battery degradation as it gets older, or limiting charge speeds and maximum charge levels. Battery health assistance will join the ranks of battery-preserving features in a later update, Google says.

"You may notice small decreases in your battery’s runtime as your battery ages," the company writes. "Battery health assistance will also tune the phone’s charging speed based on adjusted capacity. You may notice a slight change in battery charging performance."

For now, the Pixel 9a is the only device confirmed to get this feature when it launches later this year. However, it's expected to come to more devices. These features aren't user-customizable.

"Battery health assistance is a software feature that will roll out to a selection of Pixel devices starting later this year, designed to extend their usability," Google told 9to5Google in a statement. The company also said Battery health assistance "will be voluntary for any customers using previously launched devices."

This feature isn't available now, and doesn't have a set release date. Android 16 is expected to bring along a few other battery health tools for Pixels later this year.

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

This week, Samsung lost its patent lawsuit against Oura, some Google Pixel users had to deal with a weird bug attacking their alarm clocks, Pixel 9a got a launch date, Fitbit's Health Metrics are getting a redesign on Android and iOS, and Google suddenly decided to "privately" develop future Android OS. Let's dive in!

Samsung's case against Oura gets thrown out

Read more here

On May 30 last year, Samsung tried to one-up Oura after its lawyers filed a lawsuit in the San Francisco Division District Court against Oura Health Oy. It was essentially a preemptive move before the latter could consider suing Samsung for patent infringement — just like it sued three other smart ring makers (Ultrahuman, Circular, and RingConn).

Samsung claimed that "Oura's pattern of indiscriminate assertion of patent infringement against any competitors in the smart ring market" is an "actual, imminent risk to Samsung" and the Galaxy Ring's chances of success.

However, on March 27, federal judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín from the U.S. district court dismissed Samsung's case, stating that Oura's general statements about enforcing its patents that were seen in the other three cases "were not directed at Samsung" and "do not reveal a likelihood or intent to enforce Oura’s patents against Samsung."

Samsung will likely appeal this dismissal, and experts think that it will continue to sue Oura, keeping the company from suing the Korean OEM in other courts.

While this tag game continues, here's what we think this dismissal will do to the smart ring market at large.

It wasn't you, it was your Google Pixel 9

Read more here

Nope, you didn't hit on snooze — your alarm actually never rang. Pixel users took to Reddit this week to report issues with their scheduled alarm clocks. This is the first we've ever heard of a bug like this impacting Pixel phones.

One user states the alarms on their Pixel never went off. In fact, they had set four alarms, and all four were "turned off," not dismissed. The user said that each alarm soon deactivated itself on their Pixel 9, while another user thought Gemini was behind this weird bug. Their post reads, "My initial assumption was that I told Gemini to stop a timer that was going off and it canceled all my alarms."

This issue seems to be impacting only Pixel 9 users after the March update. Google is yet to acknowledge it. For now, if you rely on your phone to wake you up, I'd probably look for another alarm to do the job.

Save the date, Google Pixel 9a is arriving soon

Read more here

The Google Pixel 9a launched on Mar. 19, and now, ten days later, the company announced that the budget phone will be in stores starting April 10.

Google usually makes all its devices available for pre-orders on launch day, but for the Pixel 9a, we were told that it would show up in stores "sometime in April." There's a good reason why Google wanted to hold back preorders; it said the first Pixel 9a units had a "component quality issue" and that it wanted to make sure that the phone was functioning as it was supposed to before being released to the masses.

In a community post, the company detailed its rollout plan, starting with users in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., who will get to buy the Pixel 9a as early as April 10, with later dates for other regions and some listed as "coming soon."

Fitbit's health metrics are getting a redesign

Read more here.

Fitbit's Health Metrics page is getting a fresh coat of paint on the mobile app, matching other app components.

Before, the Fitbit app had the Health Metrics page for data points like breathing rate, resting heart rate, blood oxygen, and more appearing in a basic interface that didn't match the rest of the Fitbit app

However, an upcoming update is giving it a new look and making it easier for users to view their data. For instance, before the update, tapping the preview card will list out five health metrics recorded, giving you a glimpse of how many of those metrics are in your "personal range." In a new change, only the "Today" stats are shown on the main Health Metrics page.

Previously, you could see this data by switching to the "Trends" tab in Health Metrics; however, now the app will be focused on giving users metric-based data.

Google apparently wants to make Android OS behind closed doors

Read more here

Google is shutting its doors to the public when it comes to developing Android OS, according to a new report.

Mishaal Rahman at Android Authority claims that Google will shift to privately developing the Android OS starting "next week." This is because Google wants to start making the OS development more streamlined and internal.

According to Rahman, this change will more directly impact Google and the AOSP (Android Open-Source Project). The company will allegedly "change the frequency of public source code releases for specific Android components." Rahman states that, with Google's normal public source code releases for the AOSP, the company needs to "spend time and effort merging patches."

Have you heard of the saying," Too many cooks spoil the broth?" Looks like Google wants to solely have a say in how the OS functions, keeping the outside noise to a minimum. However, according to AC's Jerry Hildenbrand, "Android already isn't as open as you think." He says that Google is ultimately in charge of Android's code and has the final say as to what gets done, how it gets done, and when it gets done.

"You (or anyone) can contribute to Android, though. Once everything gets wrapped up, the "finished" code is posted for anyone to grab and use however they want."

More stories this week

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• The Nothing Phone 3a series might eventually put a price on its new AI perks
• Leaked Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE renders purport small changes to its familiar design
• Google Maps taps Gemini for an 'Ask about place' chip with directions and more
• The new Oppo Find X8 Ultra shot better low-light images than the iPhone16 Pro with dual periscopic lenses
• Google prepares you for a hot summer with new AI updates for traveling
• New leak shows off Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in 'Titanium' variants
• Heads up — Samsung's detailed One UI 7 rollout schedule for Galaxy appears
• New Galaxy Z Flip 7 case leak backs rumors of a larger cover display
• Google Maps might predict more than just the traffic for you soon
• Gemini 2.5 Pro is Google's latest AI model with thinking and multimodality built-in

What you need to know

• Google announced the launch date for its budget Pixel 9a stating that it will be available on-shelf starting April 10.
• Google stalled the 9a in-store launch and preorders after a component quality issue surfaced.
• The company hasn't yet announced a pre-order date for this device, but you can get notified for when it does.

The Google Pixel 9a launched on Mar. 19, and we were taken by surprise when the tech giant didn't give us information on preorders or in-store launch dates. Now, ten days later, the company announced that the budget phones will be out in stores starting April 10.

Google usually makes all its devices available for pre-orders on launch day, but for the Pixel 9a, we were told that it would show up in stores "sometime in April" without a concrete date. There's a good reason why Google wanted to hold back preorders; it said the first Pixel 9a units had a "component quality issue" and that it wanted to make sure that the phone was functioning as it was supposed to before being released to the masses.

In a community post, the company detailed its rollout plan, starting with users in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., who will get to buy the Pixel 9a as early as April 10, while folks in European countries will be able to get the device on April 14. As for Australia, India, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia — they will see the budget phone in store on April 16. Google also states that the Pixel 9a will be "coming soon" to Japan; however, a specific date hasn't been confirmed yet.

The tech giant added that the "Pixel 9a will be available at the Google Store and through our retail partners beginning in April, and you can sign up today to get notified as soon as it's available."

Debuting at $499 in two new colorways: Iris and Peony, the Pixel 9a comes with the fastest Tensor G4 chip, gets up to 30 plus hours of battery life, and can do almost everything that the standard Pixel 9 phone can.

Right off the bat, the Pixel 9a sports an all-new look, ditching its usual pill-shaped camera bump and housing the rear cameras within the phone. For its display, the Pixel 9a gets a slightly bigger 6.3-inch pOLED screen. Like the other Pixel 9 devices, this budget phone also gets Android 15 out of the box and seven years of OS and security updates. The phone comes with all the latest AI features, including Gemini Live, Best Take, Add Me, Magic Editor, and more.

Lastly, Google didn't mention when users can start pre-ordering the Pixel 9a, but anyone interested can hit the "get notified" button on the Google Store to be the first to know when the phone will be available online.

Google’s lineup of phones is becoming bloated, and I think the company should have merged the Pixel 9 and 9a into one phone and changed specs and pricing options.

The 9a launched on March 19, coming with a new design and ditching the usual pill-shaped aluminum camera bar for a flat rear panel. Priced at $499, the phone comes with AI features, including Gemini Live, Add Me, Magic Editor, the Tensor G4 chip, and seven years of OS and security updates.

So, with all of these great features at a fantastic price, why should anyone bother buying the Pixel 9 (starting at $799) when it seems the 9a has similar, if not better, features and is $300 cheaper?

Like my colleague, Andrew Myrick, wrote last year, it’s time for Google to rethink its lineup of devices and streamline its offerings.

And it turns out I'm not the only one who thinks Google needs to revamp its Pixel lineup. So does Android Authority in their recent article. That said, I don't know if I agree that Google should take the iPhone route with its lineup.

Google thinks I am wrong and here’s why

I asked Google if there were really enough consumers to justify releasing a Pixel 9 and a 9a, and I was told there was.

“When we look at our devices, the goal is really to deliver the core Pixel experience and deliver on that incredible camera, the incredible Google AI, and then access to the latest version of Android. [Pixel] 9 is leveling off of those experiences. So there’s a significant boost in image quality, based on the sensors we use in 9, and the capabilities of that camera are quite better than what we have in the A series.”

“Similarly, from a charging perspective, we find that the 9 serves a user that may be looking for that faster charging experience. And then finally, the display on our 9 devices tends to be of a higher quality than what’s on our A series,” said Shenaz Zack Mistry, senior director of product management for Pixel.

Google says that there is a user that might want a little more and that from their “portfolio perspective…we have just as many users on that premium tier as we do in our entry tier. So we do believe there’s users in both of those categories.”

Too close to differentiate; here’s what I think Google should have done

The Pixel 9 launched in September 2024, giving consumers at least six months with a phone that has very similar features to the new 9a.

Per this Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 9 comparison chart, you can see that there are several features that the 9a has that are similar to or even better than the 9, but the phone launches much later than the 9. This means consumers will have to wait for a cheaper phone with Pro-like features and specs.

Senior editor Andrew Myrick made a point when the Pixel launched its 9 series that the company has too many Pixel phones, saying that it might be “a bit overwhelming to some.” Making a similar argument that the A series is priced much lower than the regular base Pixel.

So, I think Google should have merged the 9 and 9a and offered a much better phone at a reasonable price point somewhere between the two, which would allow Google to still get a great ROI.

The Pixel 9 is able to perform well because of the higher RAM, and as a result, Gemini features work seamlessly and on-device, a lacking feature in the 9a. I think the blended phone should have a higher RAM to offer the features the 9a isn’t able to do so, but at the same time, it should still offer the other compromises that keep the phone from performing at a Pro level and, therefore, keeping the price down.

I personally do not think that many people care about wireless charging, so maintaining wireless charging at the 9a level, in my opinion, is fine and, as a result, does not require more expensive components to increase the cost of the overall phone.

The blended phone would have the 9a battery size and the same camera features as the 9, but if Google wanted to save on some cost, then using cheaper sensors might be smart, for example.

Since the processor is the same for both phones, you know the blended phone will still be of top quality.

The most important thing here is the price of the phone. This merged phone would cost around $600 or $650; the perfect in-between while still keeping it fairly affordable. In fact, if Google needs an example of how to make an affordable flagship-like phone, it only needs to look at the OnePlus 13R, which offers incredible value and specs for the price.

Google will eventually need to make the 10 different enough for consumers

I know that my reality of what I want from Google may not happen. However, I do think that Google needs to figure out its strategy between the two phones.

Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC's Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers, agrees.

He said in 2024, Pixel shipments grew 5.9%, and in the year prior grew 55.4%. I’m going to guess the increase in sales in 2023 was because of the launch of the Pixel 8 series, which included Google’s suite of AI features for the first time in a lineup of phones.

Urbani notes that the share of the Pixel A series has generally been shrinking for the past few years and accounted for 32.1% (almost a third) in 2024. Meanwhile, the share of base Pixel has only trended down slightly while the Pro and Fold versions have gained a share, he said.

That said, Ubrani notes that while the A series market share is shrinking, there still is a need for the A series because it represents a significant share of Pixels in markets. Assuming the A series continues to shrink in share, Ubrani says that then, in the next few iterations, it may make sense to discontinue it.

“However, it’s important to realize that the A series doesn’t just bring in a different customer due to the significantly lower price point, it also provides a healthy bump to overall Pixel brand marketing during the year when there’s usually a bit of a slump in the middle of the year,” he said.

So, if we were to continue with the trajectory of a base Pixel model and one that is part of the A series, then I think Google really needs to figure out a way to differentiate the base model.

We know from some recent leaks that the Pixel 10 will have a few more upgrades that make it stand out a little more than it has in the past. The biggest potential change is a triple-camera setup.

And if Google choses to include that third camera, then it has to make sure that a third camera isn’t also happening in a future Pixel 10a, otherwise, we’ll be back to square one of what is the point of having these two phones.

I’m probably the only person on the Android Central staff that has not owned an iPhone.

I’ve expressed my interest in buying an iPhone a few times, much to the surprise of my friends and family. It grew mostly out of a desire for Apple to bring back the iPod Touch, which it clearly has no interest in doing. I would frankly prefer not to commit to a whole-ass iPhone in order to get the iOS experience. However, if I must, then I would prefer not to spend iPhone 16 Pro Max amounts of money to do it, even if it’s the most intriguing device of the bunch.

So, I decided that I would wait for the iPhone 16e. At the time, I assumed it would fall under the iPhone SE moniker, and while the 2022 model was enticing as an iPod Touch replacement, I figured I could hold out for the next model.

As the years went by, rumors would emerge about what the iPhone 16e would be. That included talk of an OLED display (finally) and a more modern design. Conflicting rumors went back and forth on whether it would have a notch or Dynamic Island, but it seemed like the iPhone 16e would be the cheap iPhone of my dreams.

And for a quick second, it was. Kind of.

The iPhone 16e is asking a lot for a little

When the iPhone 16e launched, I found myself quite perplexed and at odds over the choices Apple made.

Sure, it has an OLED display for richer blacks and better contrast, but the display is stuck at 60Hz. I don’t remember the last time I used a phone with that refresh rate, and I regularly review the best cheap Android phones from companies like Motorola, phones that easily cost half the price of the iPhone 16e. Even the $399 Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 has a 120Hz OLED panel, which looks great, I might add.

Then, there’s the camera. Singular. The iPhone 16e has a single rear camera on the back, which is kind of unacceptable for a $600 phone. I’m not saying Apple should stick four cameras on the phone just for the sake of having multiple cameras, but the lack of even a secondary sensor is perplexing.

Nearly everything about the iPhone 16e was telling me not to buy it. Even Harish Jonnalagadda says in his iPhone 16e review that it's "a good phone, but a bad value right now." However, with it currently being the most affordable “new” iPhone that I can buy, I was close to pulling the trigger… that is, until the Pixel 9a launched.

The 9a pretty much affirmed my apprehensions: Apple doesn’t really know how to do value.

The Pixel 9a proves Google knows how to make a value phone

I’m not the biggest fan of Pixel phones, but I can’t deny that they’re some of the best phones you can buy. That’s why I wasn’t surprised to see that Google pretty much nailed the Pixel 9a. Based on the specs and the Pixel 9a hands-on from Android Central senior editor Michael Hicks, the phone feels like everything the iPhone 16e should’ve been.

The phone has a larger OLED display that’s more than 2x brighter and with a faster 120Hz refresh rate. It features a secondary 13MP camera for ultrawide shots, something (I learned from using the Razr Plus 2024) I realized I can’t really go without.

You also get a faster USB standard on the Pixel, and while I can’t speak to battery life just yet, the 5,100mAh battery and 30+ estimation from Google sounds pretty good compared to the 4,005mAh unit found in the iPhone 16e.

Furthermore, Apple has also been fumbling its AI rollout, delaying its long-awaited Siri upgrade. Meanwhile, Google has been going full-stream ahead with Gemini, to the point where it’s now prepping to replace the tried-and-true Google Assistant later this year. The Pixel 9a won’t have every feature from the Pixel 9, and not all AI features will be processed on-device, but Google’s software and AI are pretty solid, with plenty of fun features for Pixel 9a users to take advantage of.

I’ll also mention that you get more interesting color options with the Pixel, which is more than I can say for the rather bland black or white iPhone 16e.

This is all for a phone that costs $100 less than the iPhone 16e.

The iPhone 16e still as some good things going for it

That’s not to say the iPhone 16e doesn’t have some pretty compelling specs. The A18 chip is mighty impressive and is probably much more performant than the Tensor G4. And despite having just one camera, I've always been impressed with Apple's imaging, and it looks like it still takes great images and videos, even if you miss the option to take wider shots.

There’s no doubt Apple’s FaceID is a superior facial authentication method (although I do prefer fingerprint sensors), and the Action Button is a feature I would like to see on more phones.

Aesthetically, the iPhone 16e just looks a lot better. The new camera housing on the Pixel 9a just looks awkward.

You also get more storage options with the iPhone 16e, going all the way up to 512GB. The downside is that it will obviously cost you much more, with the 128GB iPhone priced $100 higher than the 128GB Pixel 9a.

The Pixel 9a and iPhone 16a are gateway phones

Ultimately, the Pixel 9a and iPhone 16a are both affordable ways to get hold of some of the latest hardware and software on both Android and iOS. If you’re already baked into one OS and holding onto a previous A-series Pixel or iPhone SE, then these may be worth upgrading to. They’re also good ways to bring in younger family members without breaking the bank on a new phone.

Harish says the iPhone 16e is aimed at "older iPhone users looking to switch to a (relatively) affordable model with the latest hardware," and this could also be said for the Pixel 9a.

That said, it feels like the Pixel 9a is a much better deal, with mostly better specs and a lower price tag for someone looking to save money on a new phone. Even if you’re an iPhone user, if you don’t have any allegiance to iOS, this is a phone worth keeping an eye on.

As for me, maybe I’ll just wait until Apple releases an iPhone 17e or iPhone Flip.

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape.

This week saw The Google Pixel 9a launch, the EU Commission dings Google Search and Google Play for breaching the DMA, One UI 7 gets a launch date, Verizon brings satellite messaging to any device, and Pebble watches are here.

Google Pixel 9a arrives

Read more here and here

Google's budget phone launched this week, and right off the bat, you see the Pixel 9a sports an all-new look, ditching its usual "Pixel-like" appearance for a sleek, flat rear panel that houses the camera array within the phone. While the big pill-shaped camera bump seems to be all but gone, the phone has the same rounded aluminum side rails as its predecessors.

For its display, the Pixel 9a gets a slightly bigger 6.3-inch pOLED screen but is 35% brighter than the Pixel 8a. It also arrives with a massive 5,100mAh, which is larger than the standard Pixel 9 model (4700mAh). The device gets Android 15 out of the box, the new Tensor G4 chip, and seven years of OS and security updates. It comes with an extended battery life of up to 30 hours, faster charging, and two new colorways: Iris and Peony. Starting at $499, it has a smaller 48MP primary lens, sticks to the 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 13MP selfie camera.

But what about Pre-orders, you ask? Google usually makes its devices available for pre-order on launch day, but that isn't the case with the Pixel 9a. Google said in an email that the device will be going on sale sometime in April without an exact date of sale. In a statement to Android Central, Google noted a "component quality issue" affecting initial Pixel 9a units as the reason: "We're checking on a component quality issue that's affecting a small number of Pixel 9a devices."

EU Commission states Google Search and Play Store breached DMA

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Alphabet, Google's parent company, is under investigation by the EU Commission. It posted its preliminary findings stating that two of Google's most used products are in breach of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Legislation brought about by the European Union to regulate big tech companies so that they don't favor their products over other players on the market— leveling the playing field for other tech companies.

The report claimed two things: First, Google Search showed results favoring Google at the top of the results page rather than similar services offered by third parties. Second, app developers who contribute to the Google Play Store should be allowed to steer customers to cheaper options other than the ones Google controls.

Responding to this report, Google stated in a blog post that, while the DMA aims at being fair to all players in the market, these rules are "having the opposite effect by hurting European businesses and consumers." However the company will continue to have discussions with the EU to come to a middle ground.

Save the date, One UI 7 is coming!

Read more here.

Can we just say, better late than never? One UI 7 update of Galaxy devices finally has a launch date. Samsung announced this week that the official rollout for the stable version of the OS will arrive as early as April 7—for those in the company's home ground, Korea, at least. Folks in the U.S. have to wait for another three days post-launch, aka April 10, to be able to see the update pop up on their devices.

According to the announcement post, the first set of devices that will be lucky enough to experience the OS are the Galaxy S24 series, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and the Galaxy Z Flip 6. While other eligible devices will see a gradual rollout post-launch "in the coming weeks."

Verizon brings satellite texting to any device

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Verizon announced it is bringing satellite texting to any device via "select" Android phones. Verizon will bring this feature to its U.S.-based customers first. The company states users can "send text messages to any other customer device via satellite when outside the reach of terrestrial cellular networks."

However, this feature won't show up on every Android phone. Users with a Samsung Galaxy S25 or Google Pixel 9 series phone can leverage its newly expanded satellite texting. Verizon's EVP & president of Global Network and Technology, Joe Russo, said in a statement, "This expansion of satellite texting capabilities is a testament to our commitment to ensure customers stay connected wherever they are."

The company has started working on incorporating this feature as we speak. However, it will likely take two weeks before it's completely stable and ready.

Pebble is back with two new smartwatches

Read more here

PebbleOS watches have made a comeback and how! Pebble's founder, Eric Migicovsky, in a new blog post announced the arrival of two new smartwatches: the Core 2 Duo and Time 2. These devices are launching under Migicovsky's new company, "Core Devices." Migicovsky states both watches are compatible with "thousands of your beloved Pebble apps."

Time 2 is a 1.5-inch e-paper display watch that will deliver "less glare and reflections" than its older watches. It has a 53% larger display with 88% more pixels, the Time 2 contains a heart rate monitor, as well as step and sleep-tracking capabilities. Core Devices had given the watch an IPX8 rating, too. The device also sports a microphone and speaker. The Time 2 is available for pre-orders for $225.

The second watch is the Core 2 Duo, which the company says is identical to the Pebble 2 — but it's been upgraded. This smartwatch features a smaller 1.2-inch black and white e-paper display with a lightweight polycarbonate frame and three physical buttons. Like Time 2, Core Devices states it is "targeting" an IPX8 water-resistant rating. For $149, it includes a 30-day battery life, a speaker, a barometer, and a compass sensor.

More stories this week

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• Here's why the Google Pixel 9a ditched the camera bar
• Huawei's new flip phone blurs the line between foldables
• Pre-ordered Nothing Phone 3a Pros reportedly get hit with a long shipping delay
• Google says its Pixel 9a features an older, less powerful Exynos modem
• YouTube's video stream is glitching out for some viewers
• Google finally rolls out fix for 'Untrusted Device' errors on older Chromecasts
• Kids with Android phones can now tap and pay with Google Wallet
• The Oura Ring 4 arrives at Costco in the latest expansion to more health-focused users
• Circular goes big, claims Blood pressure and glucose monitoring is coming to the Ring 2
• Gemini gets new features, including one that turns documents into fun podcasts

I'm what some would call a "specs snob." Meaning that I want the latest, greatest, and most powerful device that I can get my hands on. After years of reviewing phones and devices that nobody should use but everyone bought, I (mostly) decided that enough was enough. It also doesn't help that around the time I made that personal decision, I got my hands on the Galaxy Z Fold 2.

So when I saw that Google announced the Pixel 9a, I just read the headlines and just kept it moving. It wasn't until I read the excellent hands-on from Android Central's very own Michael Hicks that I started to look a bit deeper into what the 9a had to offer.

To get this out of the way, I don't like Google's decision to remove the camera bar. It's been a staple of the Pixel lineup since the Pixel 6, and while I haven't said this out loud, I was also disappointed when it was removed from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Now, colors notwithstanding, the Pixel 9a just blends in with the sea of rectangles that everyone uses.

Anyways, on paper, the Pixel 9a is practically the perfect phone for the majority of people. Do you need an all-day battery life? The 9a delivers a 5,100mAh battery, paired with a larger vapor chamber for better cooling, which, in turn, should mean the Tensor G4 has a bit more room to breathe. Oh, and by the way, Google claims these two changes are the reasons why the camera bar was sliced off.

Speaking of performance, the Tensor G4 is in the cockpit, with 8GB of LPDDR5X riding shotgun. That sounds great, right? Actually, yeah, I think it sounds pretty darn good. What's that? You don't get Pixel Screenshots or Call Notes? Oh well.

Apparently, this is because Google is using an "extra extra small" Gemini Nano model. According to Ars Technica, Google confirmed that this model has other limitations, such as "the lack of multimodality—Gemini Nano 1.0 XXS is text-only."

Normally, I would put on my Jerry hat and be irritated that Google didn't figure out a way to include features that should be staples across the entire lineup. So why am I sitting here feeling the complete opposite?

Because this is the exact problem that Google needed to solve.

Flashback to last year's Pixel 8a release, and you would have a hard time convincing me that the Pixel 8 was actually the better phone. With the exception of the camera hardware and camera features, the Pixel 8a offered practically the same experience while costing $200 less.

With the Pixel 9a, there are quite a few differences, but Google managed to drop the less important features while providing some sound reasoning as to why.

The Pixel 9a still lets you enjoy the fruits of Gemini's labor, but it just might not be as fast and can't handle anything other than text. It's not equipped with the best camera that Google offers, but the 48MP main lens still sounds pretty darn good, and you aren't losing out on Google's image processing.

Sure, it has a larger screen and bigger battery than its brethren, but the camera bar is gone, and the bezels are massive. On top of that, the Pixel 9 features an ultrasonic fingerprint reader, but some would argue that an optical sensor is better anyway. Personally, I just think Google needs to embed it in the power button, but what do I know?

So, instead of getting 95% of what the more expensive version has, you get something closer to 85% or maybe 90%. All while paying $200 less and coming in a dollar short of the $500 imaginary line in the sand.

But what about the iPhone 16e? Yeah? What about it? Apple might have beaten both Google and Samsung to the punch with a new mid-range phone, but the iPhone 16e also costs $100 more and falls short in a lot of ways.

If you don't believe me, just check this out:

Which reminds me, if you're feeling sour or betrayed by Google leaving out some Gemini features, just remember that Siri can't even tell you what month it is. No, I'm not kidding.

For years, if someone asked me to recommend the best phone for $500, I'd probably have told them to either wait for a deal or just get an iPhone. Even if that meant getting the last-gen iPhone SE, which still had the physical home button. That's no longer the case, as Apple continues to stumble and fall harder and harder while Google keeps mosying on along. As such, if you asked me that same question today, I'd tell you to quit talking to me and pre-order one already.

There's just something about the Pixel 9a that feels comfortable, and that's coming from someone who hasn't actually used one yet. Not only that, but the Pixel 9a might be the first Android phone that I would feel good about giving to an older family member. The peace of mind of being able to hand someone a phone and absolve yourself from being the dedicated tech support rep makes the Pixel 9a worth every penny and probably more.