I’ve been a fan of Google devices since the old Nexus days, aside from a few false steps; they’ve consistently delivered good battery life, comparatively great photography, and really pleasing performance. Our review unit has been in my pocket for nearly four weeks — it’s difficult to deliver a comprehensive reivew in less time — now, and it’s been a typically great Google Experience.
The Google Pixel 9a has positioned itself as a compelling mid-range smartphone, offering a blend of performance, camera capabilities, and software support that challenges even higher-priced competitors.
With an AU$849.00 price tag for the 128GB model ($999 for the 256GB), it would be quite a stretch to find a better option under a grand right now.
Design and Specs
Let’s start with the
Moving onto the human interface, the Pixel 9a features a 6.3-inch Actua display with a 20:9 aspect ratio and a 1080 x 2424 pOLED resolution (422.2 PPI), providing smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals. It’s easy on the eyes, even if you’re streaming media for a decent period of time.
The design is sleek, consistent with the last couple of generations of Pixel devices. It features a matte composite back and a satin metal frame, giving it a premium feel despite its mid-range pricing. The device is available in several colours, including Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony, and Iris, catering to a variety of aesthetic preferences. As you can see from the pictures, our review unit is the Peony colour.
Battery life and charging: It’s good, but I wanted more
A full day of moderate use is no issue for the Pixel 9a thanks to it’s 5,100mAh battery. The only major battery draw I saw was when I was shooting video in 4K, when the phone got pretty warm to a point where I was wondering if I was going to get a warning about the heat but it never came.
Charging was a bit of a disappointment for my mind; only having 23W wired and 7.5W Qi charging seemed a missed opportunity to get just one more premium feature in a mid-tier device. That’s not to say it’s a horrible experience, and the charging time of about 80% battery in 55 minutes from being on the verge of shutdown was a solid pass mark. That last 20% charge was a painstakingly slow trickle, though; undoubtedly a combination of battery preservation and thermal protection.
The camera delivers a premium experience at a budget-friendly price
The Google Pixel 9a’s camera system stands out in the mid-range smartphone market, offering a suite of features that leverage Google’s AI capabilities to deliver impressive photographic and video results.
At the core of the Pixel 9a’s photography prowess is its 48MP main sensor, paired with a 13MP ultra-wide lens. This combination ensures versatility in capturing a range of scenes, from expansive landscapes to detailed close-ups. The main sensor’s f/1.7 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance, while the ultra-wide lens provides a 120° field of view, ideal for capturing more in a single frame.
One of the standout features for Pixel devices has; for multiple generations of the device now, been the Night Sight mode. Last year’s Pixel 8a did a good job of this, but with another year of development, a chip upgrade and more processing available, the Pixel 9a excels in low-light conditions. It isn’t quite as good as the Pixel 9 Pro range, but still delivers great photos; producing sharp and detailed images without the need for a flash. This mode is particularly effective for night time cityscapes or indoor settings with limited lighting . Additionally, the Pixel 9a introduces an astrophotography mode, allowing users to capture the night sky with remarkable clarity. This mode even offers a short time-lapse preview, providing a glimpse into the final shot before it’s fully processed.
For those interested in portrait photography, the Pixel 9a’s portrait mode delivers impressive results. It effectively isolates subjects from the background, creating a pleasing bokeh effect that rivals some higher-end smartphones. The AI-driven processing ensures that skin tones are rendered naturally and accurately, thanks to Google’s Real Tone technology, which has been refined to represent a range of skin tones.
Macro photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Pixel 9a’s macro focus capabilities. This feature allows for capturing intricate details at close range, making it ideal for photographing subjects like flowers, insects, or textures. The camera’s ability to maintain sharpness and colour accuracy in such shots is commendable.
The Pixel 9a also offers an array of AI-powered editing tools that enhance the photography experience. Features like Magic Editor and Best Take provide users with the ability to adjust and perfect their shots post-capture, ensuring that the final image aligns with their vision . These tools are seamlessly integrated into the camera app, making them easily accessible for quick edits on the go.
In terms of video capabilities, the Pixel 9a supports 4K recording at 60fps, delivering smooth and detailed footage. The inclusion of optical image stabilisation (OIS) ensures that videos remain steady, even when recorded handheld. This makes the device suitable for capturing everything from family moments to impromptu vlogs.
Overall, the Google Pixel 9a’s camera system offers a comprehensive suite of features that caters to both casual photographers and enthusiasts alike. Its combination of high-quality hardware and intelligent software processing results in a versatile and user-friendly photography experience that stands out in its price segment.
My closing thoughts: This is one of, if not the best sub $1000.00 phones available
There’s a level of understatement to the Pixel 9a, and I like it; it’s the little phone that could. Google hasn’t just delivered a good phone for the dollars; it’s an excellent phone with a few — relatively small — performance and feature sacrifices to meet a budget. When you add in the long term updates, great performance in general the Pixel 9a becomes a very easy phone to recommend to anyone who doesn’t need top level performance.
You can pick up a Pixel 9a from the Google Store, carriers or the usual retail outlets.
