The Google Pixel 9a was announced in March 2025 as a new budget option from Google. We’ve already compared it to its predecessor, and it’s time to do the same for the next closest thing in Google’s lineup. In other words, we’ll be comparing the Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9 specs. Some of you may find the Pixel 8a lacking in some ways, and probably wonder if the Pixel 9 is worth getting over it. We’ll try to help out, at least a little bit.

We will first list the specifications of both smartphones, as we usually do. Following that, you’ll see a comparison between the two phones across a number of categories. We’ll be comparing their designs, displays, performance, battery life, cameras, and audio output. There’s plenty to delve into here, so, let’s get to it.

Specs

Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9, respectively

– Screen size:
6.3-inch pOLED display (120Hz, HDR, 2,700 nits)
6.3-inch fullHD+ OLED (flat, 120Hz, HDR, 2,700 nits)
– Display resolution:
2424 x 1080
2424 x 1080
– SoC:
Google Tensor G4
Google Tensor G4
– RAM:
8GB
12GB (LPDDR5X)
– Storage:
128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1)
128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1)
– Rear cameras:
48MP (wide, f/1.7 aperture, 1/2.0-inch sensor size, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS), 13MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, 120-degree FoV, 1/3.1-inch sensor size)
50MP (wide, f/1.7 aperture, 1.2um pixel size, OIS, EIS), 48MP (ultrawide, f/1.7 aperture, 123-degree FoV)
– Front cameras:
13MP (f/2.2 aperture, 96.1-inch sensor size)
10.5MP (f/2.2 aperture, 1.22um pixel size)
– Battery:
5,100mAh
4,700mAh
– Charging:
23W wired, 7.5W wireless (charger not included)
27W wired, 15W wireless (Pixel Stand), 12W Qi wireless, 5W reverse wireless (no charger)
– Dimensions:
154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm
152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm
– Weight:
185.9 grams
198 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3
– Security:
Under-display fingerprint scanner (optical)
Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner
– OS:
Android 15
Android 14 (upgradable)
– Price:
$499+
$799+
– Buy:
Google Pixel 9a (Google)
Pixel 9 (Best Buy, Google Store)

Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9: Design

When it comes to the design, these two phones are somewhat similar. It is easy to set them apart if you take a closer look, no doubt. They do have a similar shape and corner curvature. Their front sides, back sides, and frame are flat, though. The differences are easily visible on the front and back, though. They both have flat displays and a centered display camera hole up top, but the bezels on the Pixel 9a are visibly thicker. They are uniform on both phones, though.

If we flip them around, you’ll notice that both phones have two cameras on the back. The design of the camera section is entirely different, however. The Pixel 9a’s cameras do not protrude on the back, only the trim around them does. The Pixel 9’s are also vertically aligned in the top-left corner, but are a part of a pill-shaped camera module on the back, which is also horizontally aligned. That module spans from left to right side of the phone’s back, and it does protrude.

The power/lock button sits above the volume up and down buttons on the right side of both smartphones. Both phones utilize an aluminum frame. The Pixel 9a has a plastic back, while the Pixel 9 comes with a glass back. The two phones have the same display sizes, but the Pixel 9a is a bit taller, wider, and thicker. It’s taller and wider due to thicker bezels. The Pixel 9 is around 12 grams heavier in comparison. Both of them are IP68 certified for water and dust resistance.

Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9: Display

The Google Pixel 9a features a 6.3-inch fullHD+ (2424 x 1080) pOLED display. That panel is flat, and it supports HDR content. It has a 120Hz refresh rate ,and its brightness goes up to 2,700 nits. The display aspect ratio here is 20:9, while the screen-to-body ratio is at around 83%. The Gorilla Glass 3 from Corning is here to protect the display.

The Google Pixel 9, on the flip side, also has a 6.3-inch panel. It’s an OLED panel with a fullHD+ (2424 x 1080) resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. This display supports HDR10+ content, and its brightness goes up to 2,700 nits. The display aspect ratio is 20:9, while the screen-to-body ratio is at around 86%. Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is here to protect the display, a much never glass from Corning (in comparison to Gorilla Glass 3).

Both of these displays are really good and offer similar performance. They’re vivid and have good viewing angles, while they’re both also more than bright enough. The touch response is good, while the blacks are as deep as you’d expect them to be. Neither display supports a high-frequency PWM dimming, though, and the Pixel 9’s panel does have better display protection. It is also more visually pleasing due to thinner bezels.

Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9: Performance

Both of these smartphones are fueled by the Google Tensor G4 processor. That’s a 4nm chip, and the best Google has to offer. There is one crucial difference here, though, the Pixel 9a includes an older Samsung Exynos 5300 modem, compared to the Exynos 5400 modem inside the Pixel 9. That modem was the culprit of some issues on previous phones, so it’s unfortunate Google backtracked. The Exynos 5400 brought much better connectivity to the Pixel 9, and better battery life too.

The Pixel 9a comes with 8GB of RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage. The Pixel 9 offers 12GB of RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage. Storage expansion is not available on either phone. Day-to-day performance is really good on both phones, from the sheer performance standpoint. Both phones offer smooth performance regardless of what you do. That goes for browsing, messaging, image editing, jumping between apps, multitasking, and so on. There’s really no visible difference.

Something similar can be said for gaming, actually. The Pixel 9 does a really good job with games, though the most demanding ones will not run as well as they do on smartphones with more powerful chips. We still did not get around to testing gaming on the Pixel 9a, as our review is coming. So we cannot judge that yet, but it should be similar to what the Pixel 9 offers, although a bit inferior.

Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9: Battery

The Google Pixel 9 includes a 5,100mAh battery on the inside. The Pixel 9a, on the flip side, has a 4,700mAh battery included. Yes, the Pixel 9 has a smaller battery pack, but the Pixel 9a has an inferior modem. The Pixel 9 did offer really good battery life for us. Getting through a full day of use with this phone was not an issue in any moment, not at all. Even if you’re a power user it should be enough.

We still don’t know about the Pixel 9a. Our review is coming in the near future, but we still cannot comment on the battery life. That battery capacity looks great on paper, but the inferior modem is what worries us. It will be interesting to see how is stacks up next to its sibling, that’s for sure.

The Google Pixel 9a supports 23W wired and 7.5W wireless charging (Qi). The Pixel 9, on the other hand, supports 27W wired, 15W wireless (with Pixel Stand), 12W wireless (Qi charging), and also reverse wireless charging. The Pixel 9 can charge faster in every way, though it does not offer blazing fast charging like some of the competition. Neither smartphone comes with a charger in the box.

Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9: Cameras

Both of these phones have two cameras on board (on the back), though they’re different units. The Google Pixel 9a has a 48-megapixel main camera (1/2.0-inch sensor size), along with a 13-megapixel ultrawide unit (1/3.1-inch sensor size, 120-degree FoV). The Pixel 9, on the other hand, includes a 50-megapixel main camera (1/1.31-inch sensor size), along with a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera (1/2.55-inch sensor size, 123-degree FoV).

So, not only does the Pixel 9 has a notably larger main camera sensor, but it also has a larger ultrawide sensor. The Pixel 9 is capable of producing some really nice photos, with good exposure and dynamic range. The images do have that Pixel processed look, for better or worse, but they tend to look good both during the day and in nighttime situations. It’s an all-around solid camera smartphone, especially considering the price.

What about the Pixel 9a? Well, our review is not ready yet, but it’s coming. You’ll be able to get a lot more information there, but the point is… we do expect it to offer inferior performance to the Pixel 9. It camera sensors are simply not as good, so we do expect to see differences in both main and ultrawide camera departments. Speaking of ultrawide, the Pixel 9 does a good job in that regard. It is a downgrade from the main camera, but still, we’ve seen way worse-performing ultrawide cameras.

Audio

There are stereo speakers included in both phones. The ones on the Pixel 9 do perform really well. They’re more than loud enough, and the sound output is good. We did not get a chance to check out the Pixel 9a’s yet. The performance should be similar, though.

There is no audio jack on either phone. You can use their Type-C ports for wired audio connections, though. Alternatively, both smartphones offer Bluetooth 5.3 support for wireless connectivity.

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