Google’s Pixel 9a (rated 9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the smartphone that will satisfy most users. Its 6.3-inch display is slightly larger than its predecessor’s, yet it strikes a comfortable balance—not too big, not too small. The A-series finally gets a design identity of its own, though the iris and peony color options do most of the aesthetic heavy lifting. In black or white, it looks rather plain, but at least the camera bar sits flush with the body this time.
The OLED display is brighter than ever and now supports a 120-Hz refresh rate, delivering buttery-smooth animations—a feature Apple still limits to its Pro iPhones. Under the hood is Google’s Tensor G4 chip, the same processor powering last year’s flagship Pixel 9 series, ensuring nearly identical performance: fluid, responsive, and reliable whether gaming or multitasking.
One compromise is the 8 GB of RAM, which means the Pixel 9a misses out on two software features from the Pixel 9 lineup: the Pixel Screenshots app (which uses AI to organize screenshots) and Call Notes (which automatically summarizes phone conversations). They’re nice to have, but their absence isn’t a deal breaker.
Otherwise, the Pixel 9a includes all the flagship camera features—Add Me, Reimagine, Best Take, and the improved Audio Magic Eraser. The camera system combines a 48-MP main sensor, a 13-MP ultrawide, and a 13-MP selfie camera, all of which deliver consistent and reliable results. When compared to the Pixel 10, differences are minimal: the ultrawide and main cameras produce nearly identical photos, though the Pixel 10 delivers slightly sharper results. Its autofocus selfie camera and 5× optical zoom give it an advantage in portraits and zoomed shots. Still, as with most Pixels, you can rest assured—the Pixel 9a takes excellent photos in almost any situation.
The most significant improvement is the battery life. The 5,100-mAh battery easily powers the phone through an entire day—lasting even longer than the Pixel 10. In my testing, I typically ended each day with 30 to 40 percent remaining, though heavy users may still want to keep a power bank handy.
The phone supports Qi wireless charging, though it’s the only Pixel model that doesn’t include Qi2 magnetic alignment. It also boasts an improved IP68 water-resistance rating and offers secure face unlock alongside fingerprint authentication, giving users two fast and reliable biometric options for unlocking the device and accessing sensitive apps.
The Pixel 9a also comes with an impressive seven years of software support—the longest you’ll find on any Android phone priced under $500. And at $499, it’s already a fantastic deal, but during sales when the price drops to $349, it becomes one of the best smartphone bargains you can buy.
| Specs |
|---|
| Display: 6.3 inch, 60 to 120 Hz, OLED, 2,700 nits peak brightness |
| Processor and RAM: Tensor G4 with 8 GB RAM |
| Storage: 128 or 256 GB |
| Battery: 5,100 mAh |
| Cameras: 48-MP main camera, 13-MP ultrawide, 13-MP selfie camera |
| Updates (from date of manufacture): 7 years |
| Extras: Qi wireless charging, IP68, fingerprint and secure face unlock, NFC, VPN, Wi-Fi 6E |
| Carrier compatibility: Works on all three major US networks |
