Looking for a compact, budget-friendly alternative to the Pixel 9 series? The upcoming Google Pixel 9a could be the perfect fit. Offering a similar experience in a smaller and more affordable package, it’s also shaping up to be the top Android alternative to the iPhone 16e.
Curious about what the Pixel 9a has in store? Here’s everything you need to know about Google’s upcoming budget smartphone:
Compact display, premium design
The Google Pixel 9a will be as compact as the regular Pixel 9. Featuring a 6.3-inch screen, possibly with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, it will be slightly bigger than the iPhone 16e. According to renders shared by Evan Blass via an X post, the Pixel 9a will look significantly different from the Pixel 8a. Notably, it will lose its iconic visor-styled camera island, replacing it with a simpler oval-shaped dual-camera setup.
Pixel 9a comes in four different colour options. (Image credit: Evas Blass/X)
Based on these renders, the Pixel 9a appears to be a more polished version of the Pixel 8a, featuring a glass sandwich design with an aluminum frame. Its flat sides with matte-finish rails are reminiscent of the iPhone 16e (review).
Said to be available in Iris, Obsidian, Peony, and Porcelain color options, the Pixel 9a is expected to offer an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, just like the rest of the Pixel 9 series and the iPhone 16e—an upgrade from the IP67-rated Pixel 8a.
At the bottom, the device will feature a USB-C port, possibly supporting the USB 3.2 standard. Overall, the Pixel 9a is shaping up to be a major design overhaul, especially compared to the Pixel 8a.
As capable as the Pixel 9 Pro XL
Like the rest of the Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel 9 Pro XL (review), the Google Pixel 9a will be powered by Google’s in-house Tensor G4 chip, paired with the Titan M2 security chip for enhanced privacy and data protection.
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Pixel 9a is likely to offer an exhaustive range of AI features. (Image credit: Evan Blass/X)
The Pixel 9a is also expected to feature at least 12GB of RAM, an upgrade from the 8GB on the Pixel 8a (review), along with 128GB of internal storage. As with other Pixel devices, it is likely to offer a single physical SIM card slot alongside eSIM support, and no microSD card slot.
For comparison, the iPhone 16e also starts with 128GB of storage but offers 8GB of RAM to support Apple Intelligence features.
The upgraded hardware on the Pixel 9a should allow Google to deliver AI-powered features similar to its more expensive models, including on-device processing for some tasks.
Camera and battery upgrades
Unlike the iPhone 16e, which features a single 48MP camera, the Pixel 9a is expected to include a 64MP main camera and a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens, similar to the Pixel 8a, along with a 13MP selfie camera. Despite using similar camera hardware, the Pixel 9a is expected to deliver better image quality thanks to an improved image signal processor and updated software algorithms.
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Additionally, the Pixel 9a is rumoured to pack a massive 5,100mAh battery—the largest ever in a Pixel device. It is also expected to support 23W wired charging and up to 7.5W of wireless charging.
The first phone to ship with Android 16
The Google Pixel 9a is likely to be the first smartphone to ship with Android 16, which is expected to be unveiled at the Google I/O 2025 developers conference on May 21—the same event where the Pixel 9a itself is expected to launch.
Considering the launch price of the Pixel 8a, the Pixel 9a is expected to be priced slightly above Rs 50,000.
