Google’s Pixel 9a Is $499 and Undercuts the iPhone 16e

Battery life has traditionally been a weak level on Google’s Pixel A-series telephones, so Google has stuffed a 5,100-mAh cell into the Pixel 9a. That is the most important battery capability we have seen on a Pixel but, and Google claims 30-plus hours on a single cost. Additionally in tow is wi-fi charging, although it is nonetheless the fundamental Qi variant and never the new and improved Qi2.

On the coronary heart of the telephone is the Tensor G4 processor, the exact same that is contained in the flagship Pixel 9 Professional sequence, with 8 GB of RAM. That ought to imply glorious efficiency, particularly in comparison with what you will discover on different sub-$500 Android telephones, to not point out 7 years of software program help. This chip additionally drives most of the telephone’s synthetic intelligence options, and permits the Pixel 9a to reap the benefits of all the identical AI digital camera tips launched on the Pixel 9 smartphones in 2024.

That features Add Me, which lets the particular person taking the photograph take part on the motion by switching locations with the topic. The software program stitches two photographs in order that each events are in the identical photograph regardless of not standing subsequent to one another at that exact second. The Pixel 9a may also create a brief astrophotography timelapse, and there is even Macro Focus, which allows a macro mode through the primary digital camera to take crisp pictures of objects up shut, like bugs or vegetation. The digital camera system is pushed by a revamped 48-megapixel major digital camera joined by a 13-MP ultrawide, and a 13-MP selfie digital camera.

Naturally, Google is touting all of its Gemini AI options on this telephone, one in all which is a brand new addition introduced at Cellular World Congress a couple of weeks in the past and rolling out quickly—reside video in Gemini Reside conversations. This allows you to ask Gemini something in regards to the topic you’re by means of the telephone’s digital camera, powered by the corporate’s Astra know-how (although this function is restricted to individuals on Google’s Gemini Superior subscription).

Additionally new, however not strictly solely out there on the Pixel 9a, is the flexibility to generate photographs of individuals within the Pixel Studio app. This was a self-imposed restriction Google had earlier than however now it’s gone, although it has saved sure guardrails on what you possibly can generate. Lastly, in the event you’re shifting over from one other telephone like an iPhone, you possibly can deliver your audio recordings with you and the Google Recorder app will routinely transcribe them. One much less barrier to transition.

Within the Android world, the Pixel 9a is competing towards Nothing’s newest Telephone (3a) sequence, which prices rather less. Nothing’s gadgets lack some capabilities—like no wi-fi charging and never as highly effective efficiency—however additionally they have some perks, just like the 3X optical telephoto digital camera. Samsung additionally lately introduced a midrange telephone, the Galaxy A56 for $500, although it is not arriving till later this yr.

We’ll replace this story when Google shares a exact preorder and launch date for the Pixel 9a.