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Google Pixel 9a
Google · Released January 1, 2025

Pixel 9a

Google's $499 Pixel 9a has IP68, seven years of updates and lasted 13 h 8 min in Tom's Guide's test

Smartphones
8.8/10What the pros sayExcellentExpert consensus · Verified Oct 8, 2026See score breakdown ↓
Storage
Buying call

Buy the Pixel 9a at the Google Store's $499 (Oct 8, 2026) if you want Pixel photos and seven years of updates for the least money: it has Tensor G4, IP68, a 6.3-inch 120Hz screen and lasted 13 h 8 min in Tom's Guide's test. Pay more for the Pixel 10a ($599 list) only if battery life comes first, since it ran 15 h 16 min in the same test on the same chip. Skip it if you need mmWave 5G or reverse wireless charging; PCMag found neither.

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Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
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Key specs
Modules
48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
Wired charging
23
Display type
OLED
Peak brightness
2700 nits peak
Highlights

Specs that matter

Display
Panel
OLED
Size
6.3" (160 mm)
Resolution
1080x2424
Refresh
120 Hz
Brightness
1800 nits
Performance
Processor
Google Tensor G4 (4 nm)
GPU
Mali-G715 MP7
RAM
8 GB
Storage
128GB
OS
Android 15
Battery
Capacity
5100 mAh
Wired charge
23 W
Body
Weight
6.6 oz (186 g)
Dimensions
154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

Display6.3" (160 mm) · 120 HzOLED
ChipsetGoogle Tensor G4 (4 nm)8 GB RAM · Mali-G715 MP7
Main camera48 + 13 MP48 MP · f/1.7 · 25mm · wide · OIS · PDAF
Front camera13 MP13 MP · f/2.2 · 20mm · ultrawide
RAM / storage8 GB · 128GBAndroid 15
Battery5,100 mAh23W wired
49 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

Prices from trusted US retailers, updated daily.

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2 price points tracked.
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Available in 128GB.
Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Buy the Pixel 9a at the Google Store's $499 (Oct 8, 2026) if you want Pixel photos and seven years of updates for the least money: it has Tensor G4, IP68, a 6.3-inch 120Hz screen and lasted 13 h 8 min in Tom's Guide's test. Pay more for the Pixel 10a ($599 list) only if battery life comes first, since it ran 15 h 16 min in the same test on the same chip. Skip it if you need mmWave 5G or reverse wireless charging; PCMag found neither.

Best for

Budget Android buyers who want Pixel photos and long updates for $499

Not for

Gamers and anyone who needs mmWave 5G or fast charging

Main strengthLasted 13 h 8 min in one test and 13 h 15 min in another
Main weaknessSlow charging: 47% in 30 minutes
Reasons to buy
Lasted 13 h 8 min in one test and 13 h 15 min in another
Cameras come close to Pixel 9 results, with a strong macro mode
IP68, more durable than earlier A-series Pixels
Seven years of OS updates at a budget price
Reasons to avoid
Slow charging: 47% in 30 minutes
No mmWave 5G or reverse wireless charging
Many Gemini features need a connection; little runs on device
Low-light photos a small step behind the Pixel 9
Measured view8.8/10What the pros say · verified oct 8, 2026.
ScoreVerified Oct 8, 2026
Independent coverage

What other reviewers say

Reviews from other sites and creators. They don't change the Gadget Clash score.

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CNET8.8/10
Article · Full reviewPixel 9A Review: A Value-Packed Phone, Just at the Right TimePatrick Holland · Nov 2025

Packs in a lot of features without raising the $499 price.

Read on CNET ↗
The Verge8/10
Article · Full reviewGoogle Pixel 9A review: a midrange phone done rightAllison Johnson · Apr 2025

A model of how to make a midrange phone.

Read on The Verge ↗
Tom's Guide4.5/5
Article · Full reviewGoogle Pixel 9a review: The phone to beat under $500John Velasco · Apr 2025

Rated the phone to beat under $500.

Read on Tom's Guide ↗
CNETPixel 9A Review: An Unbelievable ValueWatch on YouTube ↗
Android AuthorityThe BEST phone you can buy for $500 | Google Pixel 9a ReviewWatch on YouTube ↗
Tech SpurtGoogle Pixel 9a Review | Three Weeks Later...Watch on YouTube ↗
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Google Pixel 9a
This devicePixel 9a
VS
Google Pixel 11 Pro
AlternativeGoogle Pixel 11 Pro
Display
6.3"6.3"
Chipset
Google Tensor G4 (4 nm)Google Tensor G6
Battery
51004850
Full comparison
Google Pixel 9a
This devicePixel 9a
VS
iQOO Z11 Turbo
AlternativeiQOO Z11 Turbo
Display
6.3"6.59"
Chipset
Google Tensor G4 (4 nm)Snapdragon 8 Gen 5
Battery
51007600
Full comparison
Google Pixel 9a
This devicePixel 9a
VS
Honor X9e s
AlternativeHonor X9e s
Display
6.3"6.79"
Chipset
Google Tensor G4 (4 nm)Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (1x2.3 + 3x2.2 + 4x1.8GHz)
Battery
51008560
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

All smartphones →
Pixel 11 Pro7.8
GooglePixel 11 Pro6.3" (160 mm) · Google Tensor G6 · 12 GB
Z11 Turbo—
iQOOZ11 Turbo6.59" (167 mm) · Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 · 12 GB
X9e s—
HonorX9e s6.79" (172 mm) · Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (1x2.3 + 3x2.2 + 4x1.8GHz) · 8 GB
Z11xa 5G—
iQOOZ11xa 5G6.76" (172 mm) · 60 · 8 GB
Product data

Full specifications

49 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Verified Oct 8, 2026. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Display

Display type
OLED
Peak brightness
2700 nits peak
Pixel density
422 ppi

Performance

CPU
Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A520)

Main camera

Modules
  • 48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
  • 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Aperture
f/1.7
Video
4K
30 / 60 fps
1080p
30 / 60 / 120 / 240 fps
Features
gyro-EIS · OIS

Selfie camera

Modules
13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm

Battery & Charging

Wired charging
23
Wireless charging
5W wirelessBypass charging

Network

Technology
GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
5G
✓

Connectivity

Wi-Fi
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
  • dual/tri-band (market/region dependent)
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.3
Positioning
  • GPS (L1+L5)
  • GLONASS
  • GALILEO
  • BDS
  • QZSS
  • NavIC
NFC
✓
USB / ports
USB Type-C 3.2

Body

Dimensions
6.09 in (15.5 cm)
Form factor
Bar

Launch & Software

Operating system
Android 15
Price
$363.32
Vote & discuss

Community says

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