The Google Pixel 8a is lastly official, and it represents among the finest worth within the mid-range section. The previous two years, specifically, have been monumental for the Pixel A-series, considerably enhancing the specs and design to intently match that of the dearer mainline Pixel collection.
However there’s at all times room for enchancment and differentiation, particularly as Google continues to hike the worth of the telephones in some areas. Few rumors for the Pixel 9a at present exist—and there are not any leaks at the moment—though it is also potential that Google might ditch the A-series fully. Nonetheless, we will nonetheless speculate on Google’s 2025 mid-range cellphone by wanting on the previous to get a clearer view of the long run.
Google Pixel 9a: Worth and availability
Final yr, one analyst noted that the Pixel 8a would not exist, however that clearly did not pan out. To date, we now have rumors that the Pixel 9a exists and can function an even bigger show than the Pixel 8a, however a couple of tendencies with the Pixel household appear to be telling an even bigger image.
This yr, it is mentioned that Google will probably be releasing three fashions of the Pixel 9: the Pixel 9, the Pixel 9 Professional, and the Pixel 9 Professional XL. Moreover, Google is allegedly renaming its second-generation folding cellphone to the Pixel 9 Fold, which means it will launch 4 Pixel 9 telephones by the tip of 2024.
This might be the biggest variety of Pixel cellphone fashions that Google has launched directly, and it makes us surprise if Google is slowly shifting its technique of releasing a less expensive A-series cellphone half a yr after the mainline Pixel launch.
Moreover, Google has been slowly growing the worth of the Pixel A-series over the previous few years, making it extra intently priced to the most affordable mainline Pixel cellphone than ever.
If Google is releasing one cheaper Pixel 9 from the get-go and the worth of the A-series continues to rise, why would there be a necessity for an A-series in any respect?
Google Pixel 9a: Design and shows
Traditionally, the Pixel A-series makes use of an identical design to the primary collection with a couple of tweaks. Within the Pixel 8a’s case, the corners are a barely wider curve than the Pixel 8 collection, making much more of a squircle.
Meaning a possible Pixel 9a ought to look similar to the Pixel 9, which has been leaked a number of occasions and appears an terrible lot like an iPhone. That features fully flat aspect rails, a totally flat again, and a totally flat show. Google flattened the show on the Pixel 8 however the Pixel 9 is meant to complete up the flattening of the collection.
Picture 1 of 4
Greater than possible, if Google releases a Pixel 9a, it will look lots just like the Pixel 9 leaked renders pictured above. That must also embody a matte again, as Google swapped the shiny plastic again with a higher-quality matte one on the Pixel 8a, making it really feel extra premium.
YouTube idea artist Technozo Concept has a video of leaked Pixel 9 CAD designs that showcase the cellphone’s potential design in beautiful element together with a alternative of potential new colours. Whereas this video is of the Pixel 9, it offers us an thought of what we may anticipate from a possible Pixel 9a.
Google Pixel 9a: Cameras
The Pixel A-series started with the Pixel 3a and Google used the identical digital camera modules from that cellphone by way of the Pixel 6a. The Pixel 7a featured the primary digital camera sensor improve within the collection’ historical past, and the Pixel 8a makes use of the identical digital camera modules as that cellphone.
That being mentioned, there’s little purpose to anticipate Google to improve the cameras on a possible Pixel 9a as a result of it wants to chop prices someplace to maintain the cellphone’s value cheap. Provided that the Pixel A-series already has the most effective cameras of any budget-minded cellphone, there’s little incentive for Google to alter issues up.
If a rumor or leak seems displaying the other, we’ll completely be updating this part.
Google Pixel 9a: Specs and efficiency
The Google Pixel 9a ought to use the identical Google Tensor G4 processor because the Pixel 9 is rumored to make use of. Whereas that is an assumption, in fact, it might logically observe that Google would use the identical processor in all telephones with the Pixel 9 moniker because it has traditionally shared the identical processor throughout the Pixel line in any given era because the Pixel 6a.
Meaning the Pixel 9a would use the identical processor because the inevitably dearer Pixel 9 Fold and Pixel 9 Professional XL, regardless of the massive hole in value that is more likely to happen.
Tensor G4 is rumored to be solely a minor improve over the Tensor G3 that is within the Pixel 8a. Google shouldn’t be anticipated to ship a large improve to its Tensor line till Tensor G5, at present slated for the 2025 launch of the Pixel 10 collection.
The Pixel 9a would possible chip with the Tensor G4 processor, rumored to be solely a minor improve over the Tensor G3 contained in the Pixel 8a.
Whereas Tensor G4 might not ship huge efficiency upgrades over Tensor G3 if rumors are to be believed, it is potential that Google may use the newer Samsung SF4P manufacturing course of as a method to make the chipset extra environment friendly.
Samsung has been the producer of Google Tensor processors because the starting and used this new manufacturing course of within the Exynos 2400 to extend effectivity and battery life, plus assist maintain its processors cool sufficient to match the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in lots of areas.
There is not any expectation that Tensor G4 will probably be fairly this highly effective however any enchancment is at all times welcome.
There are not any different rumors or leaks about Pixel 9a specs at the moment. It is extremely unlikely that we’ll see many main upgrades for Pixel 9a elements since Google simply upgraded many of the requested objects — just like the show refresh fee — within the Pixel 8a.
Google Pixel 9a: Wishlist
As with every new cellphone, there are some things we would like to see Google enhance on the Pixel 9a over current telephones just like the Pixel 8a.
A lower-priced choice
The Pixel 6a, 7a, and 8a are all nice telephones that supply lots of worth, however a $450-500 cellphone remains to be financially out of attain for lots of people. In reality, the Galaxy A-series makes up the majority of the gross sales for Samsung. Google’s Pixel market share continues to develop, and there is little doubt the Pixel A-series has a giant half on this.
How rather more may it develop, then, if Google provided a actually budget-priced mannequin? We’re speaking one thing beneath $300 that might nonetheless provide the Pixel expertise, even when it needed to in the reduction of on among the extra premium options of the Pixel collection — just like the newest Google Tensor processors or upgraded digital camera modules.
Additional improved Tensor
We do not have an excessive amount of hope for this one on condition that the Tensor G4 is rumored to solely be a minor improve over the Tensor G3, however we actually can want! However even when Google cannot do a lot to supercharge the present Tensor structure with out inflicting issues, having a chip just like the Tensor G4 inside a mid-range cellphone just like the Google Pixel 9a is already unbelievable as it’s.
An actual darkish mode
Darkish mode is a lie on extra telephones than I would like. Sadly for Pixel house owners, the Pixel is without doubt one of the worst offenders of this sin. I would like to see Google give customers a correct “lights out” darkish mode the place the background is totally black as a substitute of this darkish gray nonsense Google has been utilizing for years.
It will each be higher for battery life and assist with the subsequent request!
Flicker-reduction choice
Because the nits delivered by shows proceed to develop increased and better annually, extra firms are utilizing OLED shows that do not dim in a standard method. As a substitute, they use Pulse Width Modulation (or PWM), and other people like me are, sadly, very delicate to this sort of show flickering.
Whereas we now have some suggestions and methods for PWM-sensitive of us, the most effective answer is for producers to supply a flicker-reduction choice. Corporations like Motorola and OnePlus provide anti-flicker options on their telephones, and we all know Google can do it in the event that they actually wished to.
Sooner charging
Google has largely been utilizing the identical 18W charging pace for its telephones because the inception of the Pixel line. Whereas it upgraded the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 to 30W, the Pixel 8a nonetheless solely helps 18W charging.
Telephones just like the OnePlus 12R, which prices the identical $499 because the Pixel 8a, provide 100W wired charging on the expense of eradicating wi-fi charging. Contemplating how actually gradual (and doubtless ineffective) 7.5W wi-fi charging is, I would be pleased to see wi-fi charging go away if it meant we may get quicker wired charging.
