Two weeks with the brand-new Google Pixel 9a. Has it been the mid-range marvel I hoped for? Let me tell you, it’s been… an experience. We’ve had highs, we’ve had lows, we’ve had moments where I wanted to tweet my frustrations, and then the phone itself decided, “Nah, you’re not tweeting that today.” More on that later.
So, if you’re wondering whether Google‘s latest is a budget champion or a bit of a head-scratcher, you’re in the right place. Let’s break it down.
Now, Google’s ‘a’ series has always been about bringing that core Pixel experience – the smarts, the camera, the clean software – to a more… let’s say, accessible price point. And this year, ringing in at a cool ₹50,000, the 9a has some big shoes to fill. Or does it?
Alright, full disclosure. My relationship with the 9a started on a slightly rocky note. I tried to fire off a witty tweet – you know, the kind that gets all the likes – and the Pixel just… ghosted me. Nothing. Dead air. Funnily enough, my trusty (and significantly more expensive) Samsung S25 Ultra had a similar hiccup that same day, so maybe it was a Twitter gremlin? But then, it happened again while trying to upload some photos. The Pixel 9a just wasn’t having it while the Samsung S25 Ultra did it just fine. Was it a one-off? Or is the phone just shy? We’ll keep an eye on that.
Design & Build: A Case of Mistaken Identity
Now, let’s talk about what you first notice: the feel. This phone is undeniably compact. It’s slim, easy to pocket, and a welcome change if you’re lugging around a behemoth like my S25 Ultra. Seriously, my hands feel like they’re on vacation with this thing. The white colorway I have here does a decent job of hiding fingerprints – a small mercy. But, if you’re eyeing that black model, get ready to embrace the smudge life, because that back, while feeling decent, is a bit on the slippery side. So, case up, butterfingers!
But, the elephant in the room, or rather, the lack of one. The camera bump. It’s gone! The Pixel 9a has a flush camera housing. No more distinctive Pixel camera visor. On the one hand, this is great news for those who like their phones to lie perfectly flat on a table. No rocking when you’re typing! Plus, no crevice for dust to build a small civilisation in. And good news, this flat back helped them cram in that bigger battery. But, more on that later.
But on the other hand… it looks a bit… generic? Dare I say, a little boring? That camera visor, love it or hate it, made Pixels instantly recognisable. Now, it kind of blends in. In fact, a few people who saw this phone actually mistook it for an iPhone 16e. Maybe if Google had brought that gorgeous Peony color to India, it would’ve stood out a bit more. Speaking of which, Google, why no Peony in India? I really wanted to get my hands on that color!
Personally, I liked the previous design which made the Pixel more recognisable from a sea of smartphones.
Speaking of the build, it’s got an aluminum frame which lends it a surprisingly premium feel. The matte plastic back? Honestly, it doesn’t feel cheap. Yeah, yeah, I know, for 50k some of you are screaming “GLASS OR BUST!” but it feels good to hold, and that’s what matters for daily use, right? The rounded edges help with grip, and thank god, the display is flat!
Display: Bright, Smooth, and a Bit Too Reflective
But then… then you turn the phone over. And BAM! Bezels. Oh, the bezels. In a world where even mid-rangers that cost half of this are rocking super-thin, uniform bezels, the ones on the 9a feel like a throwback. A not-so-welcome one. It’s a bit of an eyesore, Google, not going to lie. And on the front, we’re apparently rocking Gorilla Glass 3. Not exactly cutting edge for 2025, is it? And the worrisome part is that I noticed quite a few scratches on the camera lens in my time using the phone for 2 weeks and trust me that is not a lot. And now, I am worried by the long-term durability of this device.
Okay, okay, let’s move to something more positive. The display itself, bezels aside, is pretty good! The brightness, rated at 2700 nits peak, is actually quite bright. I’ve been using it outdoors, and it’s perfectly legible. Colors are vibrant, everything looks sharp. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling smooth as silk. My only gripe? It’s a bit reflective. Sometimes you’re trying to see what’s on screen, and all you see is your own confused face staring back. A tad annoying.
Google has always been pretty good with haptics, and the motor here is nicely implemented throughout the UI. It’s that subtle, satisfying buzz. But, and there’s always a ‘but,’ isn’t there? I just wish the vibration motor was a tad stronger. Just a little more oomph for a truly premium feel. The fingerprint sensor, though? Nicely placed in the middle, easy to reach, and it’s been reliable. Unlocks when I expect it to. No complaints there.
Performance: Smooth Sailing (Mostly)
Now, performance. This is where the Tensor G4 chip comes into play. And you know what? So far, so good. Twitter, Instagram, YouTube binging, snapping photos – it’s all been pretty smooth. No noticeable lag or stutters, which is a relief because, let’s be honest, previous Tensors weren’t exactly known for their flawless performance. App opening and closing is snappy. We’ve got 8GB of RAM, which is… fine. But Google, why no 12GB RAM option? Also, there is no option for 512GB storage which is weird. You only get 8GB 256GB variant and that is it. That feels like a missed opportunity for a little extra future-proofing headroom.
And what about the dreaded Tensor heat? Well, it did get a bit toasty when I was first installing all my apps, which is understandable. But since then, no noticeable overheating during regular use. That’s a big thumbs up.
Camera: Pixel Magic, But Has the Spark Changed?
Alright, let’s talk cameras. This is Pixel territory, after all. The main sensor is a 48MP shooter, which is actually smaller than the 64MP one on the Pixel 8a. Worrying? Maybe a little on paper. But the 9a comes with a wider f/1.7 aperture. So, smaller sensor, but more light coming in. Add Google’s legendary computational photography magic, and the theory is it should all balance out. And for the most part, it does! Dynamic range is great, colors are generally pleasing, sharpness is on point, and exposure is usually well-handled.
But… and you knew there was another ‘but’… I feel like this Pixel has lost some of that classic, contrasty look we’ve come to associate with Pixel photos. Sometimes, not always, the images look a little too bright, almost a bit washed out and not entirely natural. It’s like the phone is trying a bit too hard to lighten everything up.
The ultra-wide camera is also pretty competent, definitely better than a lot of the competition in this price bracket. Video quality is decent. You can shoot 4K at 60fps on the rear camera, which is great. But selfie lovers, you’re capped at 4K 30fps on the front. C’mon Google, let’s get that front camera up to 60fps too! And yes, you get those quirky Pixel camera features, like “Add Me,” which is… interesting.
Software: Pure Android Bliss (for Years!)
Software-wise, it’s a Pixel. That means clean, stock Android. No bloatware, no annoying duplicate apps. If you love pure Android, you’ll be right at home. If you’re coming from a Samsung or OnePlus and love all those extra customisation features, you might feel like something’s missing. To each their own.
The biggest trump card for any Pixel? Updates! This comes with Android 15 right out of the box and 7 years of software updates. And for you adventurous types, I’ve already slapped the Android 16 beta 4 on this thing.
Battery: Seriously Google?
Battery life! This is where the Pixel 9a throws a pleasant surprise. It’s packing a 5100mAh battery, the biggest ever in a Pixel! And let me tell you, the endurance is impressive. For a casual user, this will easily last you an entire day and then some. Most of us charge overnight anyway, so no real anxiety there. But then… the charging. 23W wired charging. Sigh. Google, are you stuck in 2019? When competitors are hitting triple digits, 23W feels painfully slow. There’s wireless charging too, but at a glacial 7.5W. It’s there if you need it, I guess.
Verdict: Mid-Range Marvel or a Mixed Bag?
So, here’s the deal with the Google Pixel 9a. It’s a phone of… interesting choices. The compact form factor is lovely, the display (minus the bezels and reflectiveness) is solid, performance is smooth, and that battery life is a genuine win. The clean software and long-term update promise are huge selling points.
But, it’s not without its quirks. Those bezels feel dated for a ₹50,000 phone. The charging speeds are laughably slow. The camera, while good, seems to have traded some of that classic Pixel character for a brighter, sometimes less natural look. And the new design, while functional, might be a bit too safe for some and has lost that iconic Pixel identity.
Is it a bad phone? Absolutely not. Is it the undisputed mid-range champion? The jury’s still out. It’s a Pixel, and that still means a lot. But Google needs to watch out; the competition is fierce, and some of these compromises are getting harder to ignore, especially at this price.
