Google’s Pixel A-series phones have often been criticized for their battery life, prompting the company to equip the new Pixel 9a with a substantial 5,100-mAh battery. This is the largest battery capacity seen in any Pixel device to date, with Google claiming it can last over 30 hours on a single charge. The device also features wireless charging, albeit the standard Qi variant rather than the newer Qi2 technology.
The Pixel 9a is powered by the Tensor G4 processor, the same chip found in the flagship Pixel 9 Pro series, coupled with 8 GB of RAM. This setup is expected to deliver superior performance compared to other Android phones priced under $500 and promises seven years of software updates. The processor supports the phone’s AI capabilities, enabling the Pixel 9a to utilize the same AI-driven camera features introduced with the Pixel 9 series in 2024.
Among these features is “Add Me,” which allows the photographer to appear in the picture by digitally combining images so that both the photographer and the subject are included. The phone can also produce short astrophotography timelapses and includes a Macro Focus mode for capturing detailed close-up images of small subjects. The camera system comprises a revamped 48-megapixel main camera, a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 13-megapixel front-facing camera.
Google is promoting its Gemini AI features in the Pixel 9a, including a new live video feature in Gemini Live conversations, announced at Mobile World Congress and launching soon. This functionality enables users to engage with the subject they are viewing through the camera, though it requires a Gemini Advanced subscription. Additionally, users can now generate images of people in the Pixel Studio app, a feature previously restricted but now more accessible with certain safeguards in place. Moreover, users switching from other devices, such as an iPhone, can transfer audio recordings, which the Google Recorder app can automatically transcribe, simplifying the transition process.
In the competitive Android market, the Pixel 9a faces rivals like Nothing’s Phone (3a) series, which is priced slightly lower but lacks features like wireless charging and some performance capabilities, though it offers benefits such as a 3X optical telephoto camera. Samsung also unveiled a midrange phone, the Galaxy A56, priced at $500, set to release later in the year.
Further updates on the Pixel 9a’s preorder and release dates will be provided by Google in due course.
