The Google Pixel 9a is the company’s upcoming mid-range handset. The Pixel 8a arrived in May 2024, so its successor is expected to follow in 2025. The ‘Pixel a’ series smartphones tend to be quite popular in the US, mainly due to their price tags. Google has been slowly raising the price tags over the year, but not by much, they’re still rather appealing purchase options.
This smartphone did start leaking out a while back, and we’re expecting the leaks to intensify in the coming months, so we’ll keep this article updated. We’ve released some information about the device, exclusively, while we’ll fill in the gaps with other rumors/leaks. With that being said, let’s see what will the Pixel 9a have to offer, shall we?
This article will be regularly updated with new information on the Google Pixel 9a (this is a preview article) — both official teasers and credible leaks, rumors, and insider claims — as it becomes available in the run-up to the release of the upcoming Android smartphone. This is the original posting of the article.
When will the Google Pixel 9a be released?
Don’t expect the Pixel 9a to arrive anytime soon. The rumors/leaks did start, but the Pixel 9a is not expected to arrive until mid-year 2025. The Pixel 8a launched in May 2024, during Google I/O, so the Pixel 9a could follow that same trend in 2025. That points to a May 2025 launch. There is, of course, a chance that Google will change its release cycle for the device. The company did that for the Pixel 9 flagships, as they arrived two months earlier than anticipated. Considering that Android 16 is rumored to arrive considerably earlier than usual, this phone could as well. Android 16 is rumored to land in Q2 2025, instead of Q4 2025, which is when we’d usually expect it. The Pixel 9a’s launch date still hasn’t leaked out, though, so we’ll have to wait and see.
What models are coming?
Google launched a single Pixel 8a model last year, and we’re expecting the same to happen with the Pixel 9a. While the phone will likely offer more than one storage option, a single variant will arrive. We won’t be getting a smaller and larger model or anything like that, which is what we did get in the past. In fact, it could be similar in size to the Pixel 8a too. That phone offered a 6.1-inch display, though its bezels were not as thin as the ones on flagships, so it is a bit larger than flagship smartphones with the same display size. The Pixel 9a could follow the same trend. The Pixel 8a was offered in 128GB and 256GB storage options, which is a combo Google could stick with. Well, unless the company jumps to a 256GB and 512GB storage option combo, which is not as likely.
How much will the Google Pixel 9a cost?
The Google Pixel 9a’s price tag has not leaked out yet. However, the price tag could be quite similar to what the Pixel 8a cost. As a reminder, the Pixel 8a was priced at $499 at launch. If we had to guess, Google will either keep that very same price tag for its successor or add $50 to it. So it will either cost $499 or $549, if we had to guess. That is under the assumption that the company will keep the 128GB storage model around, of course. If the 256GB storage option becomes the base model, the price could be $549 or $599 even, though the latter is not as probable. That would be a bit too much to add $100 on top of the Pixel 8a’s price tag. The whole point of this phone is to keep it as affordable as possible.
What will the Google Pixel 9a look like?
This is one detail that did leak out, a couple of times. Back in August, a real-life image of the Pixel 9a popped up online. That was followed by CAD-based renders that we exclusively shared. There is a slight difference between those two designs, in the camera island area on the back. The real-life image of the phone shows a small camera bump. The CAD-based renders that we showed off show the same pill-shaped design but without the bump, or the bezel around the camera. It’s possible that the real-life image of the phone was just one of the prototypes, we cannot be sure.
We’ll get flat sides this time around
Either way, if you check out the gallery at the end of this section, you’ll get to see the design of the Pixel 9a. Google is switching the phone to flat sides all around, to make it fit with other Pixel 9 devices. The Pixel 8a had a rounded frame on the sides. The sides on the Pixel 9a are flat, but they do curve towards the edges, to make the phone more comfortable to hold. The frame will be made out of metal, of course, most probably aluminum. A flat display will be placed on the front, with a centered display camera hole. The bezels won’t be as thin as the ones on the Pixel 9 Pro series, but they’ll be thin.
There won’t be a camera bump, at all
On the back, you’ll notice a pill-shaped cutout for the two cameras and an LED flash next to it. That cutout is placed in the top-left corner of the phone’s back. Google’s logo will sit in the middle of the backplate, as per usual. All of the phone’s physical buttons will be located on the right-hand side, with the power/lock key being placed above the volume up and down buttons. It’s also worth saying that glass will be included on the back of the phone, not plastic. The device itself is expected to be similar in terms of size to the Pixel 8a, though we’re still not sure about that.
It’s coming in four color options
The Google Pixel 9a will launch in four colors. We’ve exclusively revealed those colors, and they are Iris, Obsidian, Peony, and Porcelain. All of you are more than familiar with Obsidian and Porcelain colors thus far. In other words, those are black and white colors we’ve seen on a number of Pixels up to this point. The Peony color will be similar to the Peony Pixel 9, while the Iris color will be a bluish-purple option.
Real-life image:
CAD-based renders:
What specs will the Google Pixel 9a have?
What about the phone’s specs? Well, that is a true mystery at this point. The only detail that did leak out is that the phone will include the Tensor G4 chip. That was to be expected, as the ‘Pixel a’ series smartphones do take the same chip as the flagship phones in the series. What is interesting, however, is that the Pixel 9a could get an older modem as part of the package, unfortunately. The new modem inside the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold does make a huge difference for connectivity and battery life. So it would be nice to see in the Pixel 9a too. Based on a recent rumor, however, that won’t happen.
It will use the same chip as the flagship Pixel 9 series
In addition to the Tensor G4 chip, the Pixel 9a could have somewhat similar specs as its predecessor. A 6.1 or 6.2-inch display is expected to be included, and it will be a flat OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. Google will likely use 8GB of RAM inside the phone, and offer at least two storage options. We’re guessing those will be 128GB and 256GB variants, but we’ll see. Storage expansion will not be on offer, however. The phone’s battery will likely be around 4,500mAh in terms of capacity, while both wired and wireless charging will be on offer. The Pixel 9a will offer an official IP rating for water and dust resistance, stereo speakers, and ship with either Android 15 or Android 16 out of the box. Android 16 is rumored to arrive as early as Q2 2025, so… we’ll see. The phone’s cameras are still a mystery.
Should you wait to buy the Google Pixel 9a?
At this point in time we’re still far away from the Pixel 9a launch. That phone won’t be a monumental upgrade for the Pixel 8a. So, if you need a phone right away, getting the Pixel 8a may not be a bad idea. Of course, if you can afford it, going for the Pixel 9 is a good way to go too, of course. If you’re on a limited budget, the Pixel 8a is a great smartphone for $499, that’s for sure. We’ve enjoyed using it, and the vast majority of people will be happy with its performance. The Google Pixel 9a is still quite some time away. Many of its details are still under wraps, so who knows, the phone could yet surprise us. At this point in time, however, the Pixel 8a is a solid buy.