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 essential shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide digicam with macro, its Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM, all in a cheap $500 bundle.

• 

  Final 12 months’s mid-ranger

  Pixel 8a

  Google’s newest midranger handset, with a 6.1-inch show, a 64-megapixel essential 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 lastly taken the wraps off its newest mid-range Android cellphone, the Pixel 9a. Serving as a direct sequel to final 12 months’s wonderful Pixel 8a, the 9a employs the identical primary method as its predecessor.

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

Value, specs, and availability

Stable 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 charge, 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 Sort-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 Could 14, 2024, at a base asking worth of $500. The mid-range cellphone 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 when it comes to pricing construction. The system prices the identical base $500 as its predecessor, and is available in each 128GB and 256GB storage choices. The 9a could be bought in a selection of obsidian, porcelain, iris, or peony colorways.

With this 12 months’s Pixel 9a, Google hasn’t modified a lot when it comes to pricing construction.

Within the US, the Pixel 9a shall be accessible someday in early April. Google has confirmed the existence of a “part high quality difficulty” which is resulting in some delays in delivery and availability of the product.

Design and construct

This one comes down to private choice

When it comes to 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 collection 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 does not protrude.

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

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

Show

The newer mannequin gives barely extra display actual property

Talking of show, the underlying display know-how utilized in each Pixel a telephones is comparable. Each the 9a and the 8a use OLED panels, and each are able to refreshing at a zippy 120Hz refresh charge.

Show decision stays broadly similar throughout each fashions, at 1080 x 2424 and 1080 x 2400 pixel decision for the 9a and the 8a, respectively. The newer cellphone’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.

Internals

Each fashions get the fundamentals proper

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 function the identical 8GB of RAM, making for an honest 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 system is a powerhouse by any means, however at $500, there’s little to complain about within the {hardware} division.

Cameras

An identical setup, at the very least on paper

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

Neither of the fashions are flagship-level when it comes to providing the latest-and-greatest digicam {hardware}, however Google has a wonderful observe document on the subject of making probably the most out of unimpressive optics.

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

With no worth improve this 12 months, the newer Pixel 9a is the best way to go — except you could find a wonderful deal on a Pixel 8a

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

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

If you happen to’re pondering of selecting up a Pixel 9a, then you definately’ll have to attend just a bit bit longer — Google is within the technique of checking out the part high quality difficulty that it is recognized forward of launch. Earlier than making a choice between the 2 telephones, I would advise ready till subsequent week’s Amazon Spring Deal Sale procuring occasion: there is a first rate probability that Google will promote the older Pixel 8a at a reduced charge to promote by way of present stock.