Google Pixel 9a Review: A Surprising Return to Form for the Budget King

Google Pixel 9a Review: A Surprisingly Strong Comeback in the Mid-Range Market

Google has absolutely nailed the Pixel 9a. After last year’s underwhelming Pixel 8a, this year’s model is a major step forward in almost every way. While it isn’t perfect—there are some puzzling decisions in the mix—the Pixel 9a reclaims its place as one of the best mid-range smartphones on the market.

A Design That Finally Feels Premium

Let’s start with the design. While the Pixel 9a still uses a plastic back, it feels significantly more refined and premium than the 8a. It’s denser and more robust in the hand, and now boasts an IP68 rating (up from IP67), giving it better water and dust resistance.

One of the most welcomed design changes is the almost flush rear camera bar, which not only looks cleaner but also slides more easily into your pocket without catching on anything—reducing the risk of damaging the cameras.

The Display Is Great—But Those Bezels…

On the front, things are a bit of a mixed bag. The 120Hz OLED display is a joy to use, especially when combined with smooth software animations and excellent haptics. Off-axis viewing, a weak point in the 8a, has been vastly improved.

However, the bezels are still noticeably chunky, and strangely, the selfie camera cutout is larger this time around despite no apparent hardware upgrade. It’s an odd choice, but thankfully it doesn’t impact the overall user experience too much.

Camera Quality: Good, but with Quirks

Here’s where things get interesting. Google actually downgraded the main camera sensor on the Pixel 9a compared to last year—it’s lower in resolution and physically smaller. And yet, the photos still hold up impressively well in day-to-day use.

Thanks to Google’s excellent computational photography and the new Tensor G4 chip, photos look clean, natural, and true-to-life. The results are consistent with what you’d expect from a Pixel—no fake filters or overly sharp effects.

The ultrawide camera, however, is still mediocre. It works in good lighting but doesn’t bring anything new to the table. Meanwhile, the Super Res Zoom feature, which digitally crops from the main sensor, starts to fall apart past 2x zoom. You’re better off avoiding it if you’re after sharp details.

Despite these quirks, for a brand-new phone at this price, the Pixel 9a still offers one of the best camera experiences in the mid-range segment.

Big Battery, Small Charging Gains

One of the best upgrades this year is the 5100mAh battery—a significant bump from the Pixel 8a’s 4500mAh. In everyday use, this translates to reliable all-day performance, and even two days with lighter usage isn’t out of the question.

Wired charging speeds have been bumped slightly to 23W, but wireless charging remains capped at 7.5W, which lags behind competitors like Xiaomi or OnePlus that offer faster charging at lower prices.

Software: Clean, but Not the Full Pixel Experience

One of the biggest reasons to buy a Pixel is the software, and the 9a continues that tradition—mostly. It runs a clean version of Android with Material You design, Magic Editor, and Pixel Studio, plus a promise of 7 years of software updates.

However, it does come with just 8GB of RAM, which limits its ability to run Google’s AI features. Many of the newer AI-powered tools seen in the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro—like AI summaries or advanced screenshot tools—are missing here.

That might actually be a good thing for users who don’t care much about AI. If you’re someone who just wants a reliable, snappy phone without unnecessary features, the Pixel 9a delivers exactly that.

Performance Is Good Enough

With the Tensor G4 chip and UFS 3.1 storage, performance on the Pixel 9a is solid for casual users. Whether you’re scrolling social media, watching videos, or playing light games like Crossy Road or Minecraft, the phone keeps up well.

It’s not a performance powerhouse like the OnePlus 13R, but unless you’re a heavy gamer or multitasker, the Pixel 9a should feel fast and responsive for years to come—especially paired with its high refresh rate screen.

The Verdict: A Mid-Range Champion with a Few Flaws

The Pixel 9a isn’t perfect. It makes a few strange choices—like the downgraded camera sensor and slow wireless charging—but the overall experience is greater than the sum of its parts.

Between its excellent display, long battery life, sleek design, and Google’s reliable software support, the Pixel 9a stands out as a compelling choice for anyone who wants a solid, no-nonsense Android phone without breaking the bank.

If you’re not obsessed with AI tools or bleeding-edge specs and just want a phone that works well day in and day out, the Pixel 9a is the mid-range phone to beat in 2025.

What do you think? Are you excited about the Pixel 9a, or does another mid-range phone catch your eye? Let us know in the comments! And if you enjoyed this article, be sure to share it and explore more reviews on our site.