Media365
Google launched the Pixel 9a, its latest affordable Android smartphone, in India last month. While it rivals the new iPhone 16e, it is also a potential competitor for the company’s Pixel 9, which was launched last year alongside a series of other flagship-level phones. The Pixel 9a is essentially a watered-down version of the Pixel 9, but it sacrifices only a few features against its low price. Customers confused between the two can consider this side-by-side comparison to decide which one is better for them.
Display: The Pixel 9a has a 6.3-inch full-HD+ P-OLED display with up to a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, HDR, and a peak brightness of 2700 nits. It uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on top for protection. The Pixel 9 also has a 6.3-inch full-HD+ 2700-nit display, but it features an OLED panel with better 120Hz adaptive refresh rate capabilities, support for HDR10+, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.
Processor: Both smartphones are powered by a Google Tensor G4 chip, manufactured using a 4nm fabrication process. However, the Pixel 9a uses a Mali-G715 MP7 GPU, which is less powerful than the Pixel 9’s Mali-G715 MC7 GPU. The Pixel 9 also has up to 12GB of RAM, while the capacity on the Pixel 9a is capped at 8GB.
Cameras: This department is where both phones differ significantly. The Pixel 9a has a 48MP main camera with a wide sensor and a 13MP ultrawide camera. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 has a 50MP main camera with a wide sensor and a 48MP ultrawide camera. The Pixel 9 can shoot videos in 10-bit HDR, but the Pixel 9a cannot. The Pixel 9a’s selfie camera, however, is better. It has a 13MP sensor, while the Pixel 9 uses a 10.5MP sensor. Readers should note that the photo quality does not solely depend on the megapixel count of the sensor.
Battery: The Pixel 9a uses a bigger 5100mAh battery with 23W fast charging. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9 has a 4700mAh battery with 27W wired charging.
The Pixel 9a starts at ₹49,999, while the Pixel 9 is priced starting at ₹74,999.
