How the 2 mid-rangers stack up

The newcomer

Pixel 9a

Google’s mid-range Pixel 9a gives spectacular high-end options like a 48-megapixel foremost shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide digicam with macro, its Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM, all in an economical $500 package deal.
Final 12 months’s mid-ranger

Pixel 8a

Google’s newest midranger handset, with a 6.1-inch show, a 64-megapixel foremost digicam, 8GB of RAM, and the Tensor G3 chip first discovered on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional smartphones.

After a whirlwind of leaks and rumors, Google has finally taken the wraps off its newest mid-range Android telephone, the Pixel 9a. Serving as a direct sequel to final 12 months’s wonderful Pixel 8a, the 9a employs the identical primary formulation as its predecessor.

Here is a breakdown of all the most important variations between the 2 mid-range Google Pixel handsets, together with particulars on specs, pricing, availability, design, and extra.

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Worth, specs, and availability

Strong year-over-year upgrades

	Google Pixel 9a	Google Pixel 8a
Model	Google	Google
Show	1080 x 2424 pixel decision pOLED, (422.2ppi), 60-120Hz variable refre4sh fee, 1,800 nits (HDR), 2,700 nits (peak brightness)	1080×2400 OLED at 430 PPI, as much as 120Hz, 1400 nits (HDR), 2000 nits (peak brightness)
RAM	8GB	8GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	28GB, 256GB
Battery	5,100mAh	24+ hour, as much as 72-hour with excessive battery saver
Ports	USB-C	USB Kind-C® 3.2
Working System	Android	Android 14, 7 years of OS assist
Entrance digicam	f/2.2 13-megapixel	13 MP
Rear digicam	f1.7 48-megapixel vast, f/2.2 13-megapixel ultrawide	64 MP Quad PD vast digicam
Dimensions	6.1 x 2.9 x 0.4-inches (154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm)	6 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches
Colours	Iris, peony, porcelain, obsidian	Aloe, Bay, Porcelain, Obsidian
Weight	6.6oz (185.9g)	6.6 oz

The Google Pixel 8a launched Might 14, 2024, at a base asking value of $500. The mid-range telephone is available in obsidian, porcelain, bay and aloe colorways, and ships in two configurations: a 128GB storage variant, and a dearer 256GB variant.

With this 12 months’s Pixel 9a, Google hasn’t modified a lot by way of pricing construction. The gadget prices the identical base $500 as its predecessor, and is available in each 128GB and 256GB storage choices. The 9a may be bought in a alternative of obsidian, porcelain, iris, or peony colorways.

With this 12 months’s Pixel 9a, Google hasn’t modified a lot by way of pricing construction.

Within the US, the Pixel 9a might be out there someday in early April. Google has confirmed the existence of a “part high quality problem” which is resulting in some delays in shipping and availability of the product.

Google Pixel 9a on blue/purple background.

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Design and construct

This one comes down to private choice

By way of bodily construct, the Pixel 8a and 9a each share a typical Google design heritage. The newer 9a takes inspiration from the high-end Pixel 9 sequence with its boxier aesthetic, however its new rear digicam module lacks the signature digicam bar we have come to know and love on different Pixel units, together with on the 8a.

…the 9a’s new digicam bump would not protrude.

On a brighter be aware, the 9a’s new digicam bump would not protrude, which is a stark distinction from the 8a’s large-and-in-charge module. As at all times, design choice right here might be a matter of private choice.

Each units use plastic and aluminum as their main chassis supplies, and each are comparable in footprint: the newer 9a has a really barely bigger 6.3-inch show in contrast with the 8a’s 6.1-inch panel.

8:28

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Show

The newer mannequin gives barely extra display actual property

Talking of show, the underlying display expertise utilized in each Pixel a telephones is analogous. Each the 9a and the 8a use OLED panels, and each are able to refreshing at a zippy 120Hz refresh fee.

Show decision stays broadly equivalent throughout each fashions, at 1080 x 2424 and 1080 x 2400 pixel decision for the 9a and the 8a, respectively. The newer telephone’s display is able to a peak brightness of two,700 nits, which is a marked enchancment over the 8a’s peak of two,000 nits.

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Internals

Each fashions get the fundamentals proper

Pixel 8a at the beach with purple background

The Pixel 9a options Google’s newest ARM-based processor, the in-house Tensor G4. By comparability, final 12 months’s Pixel 8a ships with the older Tensor G3 chipset. Each telephones characteristic the identical 8GB of RAM, making for a good mid-range providing throughout each models.

Each units embody under-display optical fingerprint sensors, stereo audio system, and Qi wi-fi charging assist. The 9a is licensed for water and dirt resistance on the IP68 stage, in comparison with the 8a’s IP67.

Neither gadget is a powerhouse by any means, however at $500, there’s little to complain about within the {hardware} division.

iPhone 17 Pro concept render from asherdipps

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Cameras

An identical setup, no less than on paper

Each the Pixel 8a and the Pixel 9a characteristic twin rear-facing digicam setups: one foremost wide-angle shooter, and one supplementary ultra-wide sensor. Optics are comparable throughout the 2 fashions, and far of the distinction in photographic output will come right down to Google’s computational algorithms, coloration science tech, and different software-based optimizations.

Neither of the fashions are flagship-level by way of providing the latest-and-greatest digicam {hardware}, however Google has a wonderful observe document in relation to making probably the most out of unimpressive optics.

Hands holding a Pixel 9 Pro Fold over a background of dollar signs.

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Verdict: How do the 2 Google Pixel a sequence telephones stack up to one another?

With no value improve this 12 months, the newer Pixel 9a is the way in which to go — until yow will discover a wonderful deal on a Pixel 8a

With Google’s resolution to take care of a $500 base asking value for this 12 months’s Pixel a sequence providing, the 9a seems to be a reasonably solid value overall. It options the identical Tensor G4 chipset as its dearer siblings, has extra cameras and a sooner show panel than its Apple iPhone 16e mid-range counterpart, and might be supported with a full seven years of Android OS characteristic updates.

A superb mid-range telephone

Pixel 9a

Google’s mid-range Pixel 9a gives spectacular high-end options like a 48-megapixel foremost shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide digicam with macro, its Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM, all in an economical $500 package deal.

If, nevertheless, you’ll be able to rating your self a great low cost on final 12 months’s Pixel 8a, you then’ll nonetheless be in for a fairly nice telephone expertise throughout, and you will be benefiting from much more bang to your buck. The 8a will nonetheless be receiving software program assist for years into the long run, and the {hardware} package deal is well-rounded.

Nonetheless a strong alternative total

Pixel 8a

The Pixel 8a is a mid-ranger Google handset, with a 6.1-inch show, a 64-megapixel foremost digicam, 8GB of RAM, and the Tensor G3 chip first discovered on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional smartphones.

When you’re pondering of selecting up a Pixel 9a, you then’ll have to attend just a bit bit longer — Google is within the technique of finding out the part high quality problem that it is recognized forward of launch. Earlier than making a call between the 2 telephones, I would advise ready till subsequent week’s Amazon Spring Deal Sale buying occasion: there is a respectable likelihood that Google will promote the older Pixel 8a at a reduced fee to promote by current stock.