Google has launched its first phone of 2025, and it is probably the most popular of all.
The new Pixel 9A is launched earlier than in recent years, where Google immediately responds to Samsung’s Galaxy A56 and the iPhone 16th.
At first glance, the handset looks a lot like Pixel 8a from last year, but there are also some potentially important changes.
Here is everything you need to know about the Pixel 9a, including price, important specifications and when you can get the delay.
When will the Google Pixel 9a be released?
Google officially launched the Pixel 9a March 19, 2025.
However, there was no way to order the phone in advance at the launch. Google told the rack that a “component quality problem” caused the delay, but did not give a specific release date.
The company has now confirmed that the Pixel 9a will be released April 10, 2025 In the UK, the US and Canada. It will arrive in other European countries on April 14, before Australia and Asian countries get it on March 16.
Google has also unveiled more about the delay in a statement to 9to5Google: “Rumors and speculation with regard to this delay are incorrect. A passive component in Pixel 9a did not comply with our rigorous quality standards for the lifetime of the device and instead of sending it, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone on the bull’s.
However, there will be no pre-orders, which means that the Pixel 9a will be sent in the UK, the US and Canada immediately after 10 April. See our Pixel 9A -Deals guide for the best places to buy one.
In the meantime, you can sign up to be informed when the phone becomes available.
Prior to the 9A launch, Android Headlines suggested that this is a new permanent release schedule for Pixel A telephones, which means that the Pixel 10a would be expected in March 2026.
Here the previous generations were revealed:
How much does the Google Pixel 9A cost?
This is how much the Pixel 9a will cost when they are purchased downright during the launch:
- 128 GB – £ 499/$ 499
- 256 GB – £ 599/$ 599
For the context, the starting price is identical to the Pixel 8A in the UK and the US, although the 256 GB model £ 40/$ 40 is more expensive.
For context here are the starting prices of the previous models:
- Pixel 8a – £ 499/$ 499
- Pixel 7A – £ 449/$ 499
- Pixel 6a – £ 399/$ 449
- Pixel 5A – $ 449 (no UK release)
- Pixel 4A 5G – £ 499/$ 499
- Pixel 4a – £ 349/$ 349
What specifications and functions does the Google Pixel 9A have?
On paper, the Pixel 9a has many strings for its bow that make it a compelling option for mid-range.
Let’s start with the upgrades compared to the Pixel 8A – there are two heads.
The first is a switch to Google’s Tensor G4 (from the Tensor G3), the same chipset that drives all four pixel 9 telephones. Benchmarks suggest that it is not as powerful as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 -Elite in many of the best Android telephones, our reviews of the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL and 9 Pro Fold Show It is a very capable artist.
In addition to 8 GB RAM, it should be able to handle all daily tasks without any problems. However, it is still to be seen how well it will deal with demanding tasks such as gaming. There are two models to choose from and offer 128 or 256 GB of non-exportable storage.
The other major improvement is for the battery capacity. Google has replaced the 4492MAH cell of the Pixel 8A with a 5100 mAh here, making it the largest we have ever seen on a Pixel telephone. Hopefully that will treat what was reasonably mediocre battery life.
However, there is no improvement in loading speeds. The Pixel 9a is limited to only 23W speeds, and even then, only if you already have or buy a compatible charger – there is none in the box. You get Qi Wireless Charging, albeit just 7.5 W.
A third significant change will probably be more controversial. Google has dumped the camera bar of the Pixel 8a of the visor style, but has not replaced it with the pill-shaped module of the Pixel 9 series. Instead, the two rear lenses are in a small part that is almost the same with the back of the phone.
On paper, the 48MP main camera looks like a downgrade compared to the 64MP lens on the Pixel 8a. But combining it with a slightly smaller sensor (1/2 ″ in contrast to 1/1.73 ″), the 9A can produce the same 0.8 µm pixel size, while a wider F/1.7 diaphra (from f/1.9) should allow it to allow more light.
In fact, the main lens seems to be identical to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which produces impressive results in most environments. However, a 13MP, f/2.2 UltraWide (with a field of vision of 120 degrees) is still the only other rear lens, which means that there is no room for a telephoto lens.
The biggest disadvantage of this is a loss in optical zoom power. Google’s ‘Super Res Zoom’ goes up to 8x, but it is completely dependent on digital zoom, so the results will probably not be that good.
At the front is a 13MP, f/2.2 -lens unchanged, but the Pixel 8a was already able to take excellent selfies.
The 6.3-inch display is also known, persistent with a Pold panel with a full HD+ (1080 x 2424) and 120Hz renewal speed. However, Google now claims an improved peak brightness of 2700 Nits. Within the screen there is an optical fingerprint sensor, where both this and the face are safely enough to authenticate payments and unlock bank apps.
The phone also has a flagship level IP68 rating, which means that it is protected against dust and immersion in a maximum of 1.5 m of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. And despite a premium metal and glass construction, the Pixel 9a weighs only 186 g, making it one of the lighter phones.
In terms of colors you have four options: obsidian (black), porcelain (gray), iris (light purple) or peony (pink).
The Pixel 9a Android 15 turns out of the box on the software side and is one of the first in line for Android 16 as soon as it arrives later this year.
Android 15 contains many AI functions, including Google Gemini and Circle to search. Ars Technica, however, has revealed that the Pixel 9a will have a scaled back experience, without the Gemini Nano On-Device functions and no Pixel Screenshots app. This is apparently due to only 8 GB RAM.
However, Google is still dedicated to its class-leading seven years OS and security updates.
Watch out soon for our full review of the Pixel 9a. Meanwhile, read our guide for the best mid-range phones to see what the phone will be against.
