Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 9: Which is better value?

The more affordable end of Google's Pixel lineup is getting an update a little earlier than usual this year. Typically, the cheaper counterpart to Google's flagship phones doesn't drop until closer to the middle of the year. However, with last year's Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro arriving a few months earlier than expected it's not a massive shock that the inevitable Pixel 9a has followed in those footsteps.

So should you grab the latest Pixel 9a or is finding a decent deal on last year's Pixel 9 the smarter play? Let's stack the handsets up side-by-side to see how Google's latest budget buy compares against its premium counterpart.

One of the worst things about last year's Pixel 8a was that it was $100 more expensive than its predecessor. Fortunately, the base model of Pixel 9a is arriving without any such increase. That starting price is the same $849 that the Pixel 8a commanded. If you want more storage though, you're looking at $999 (a $50 increase on the 256GB version of the Pixel 8a) instead.

In the past, the fact that the flagship Pixel and its budget-friendly counterpart have been so close in price has usually led to a situation where the two often end up in competition with one another. This time around, that scenario has been more or less avoided due to Google's flagship devices getting a price hike back in 2024. 

For a snapshot of how the Pixel 9a compares to the rest of the Pixel 9 range, check out the table below.

As far as the mid-range market goes, the Pixel 9a is a little on the expensive side. Even if it isn't as pricey as the likes of the Apple iPhone 16e, it's just as expensive as Nothing's new Phone 3a Pro. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, you might be better served by the likes of the Samsung Galaxy A56 or whatever Motorola has going on. 

While the Pixel 9 and the new Pixel 9a have plenty in common, the differences between the two devices are a little more pronounced than previous generations of Google smartphone.

To start with, the Pixel 9a comes with a new streamlined design. Although this refreshed look does echo the aesthetic established by last year's Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, it does have one big difference in the form of a slimmer camera bump. 

Aside from that though, there's a lot that the Pixel 9a and Pixel 9 share when it comes to look and feel. Both devices feature aluminum sides, a 6.3-inch Actua display clocked at 120Hz and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

Then, there's the camera situation. Last year's Pixel 9 came kitted out with a 50MP main lens plus a 48MP ultrawide one on the back and a 10.5MP selfie shooter on the front. The Pixel 9a only features a 48MP main lens and a 12MP ultrawide one. Even if this setup does come with support for the new AI-powered apps and software features found on Google's latest flagships, it'd be easy to assume that it's a definite step down when it comes to the camera performance.

Fortunately, the megapixel count here doesn't tell the whole story. The camera on the Pixel 9a incorporates a larger sensor, a wider field-of-view and a wider aperture than its predecessor. On paper, it sounds like it might actually be the same sensor seen in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. If that's the case, then the Pixel 9a may be poised to deliver a smartphone photography experience that's a little closer to Google's flagship devices than the entry-level Pixel 9.

The two devices also ship with the latest version of Android, plus seven years of Pixel Drops, OS updates and security patches. Since the Pixel 9a is the more recent of the two handsets, that does give it a narrow edge when it comes to future-proofing. On the inside, both the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9a run on Google's Tensor G4 processor. However, the Pixel 9a arrives with only 8GB of RAM while the Pixel 9 comes with a whopping 12GB instead.

Meanwhile, the cheaper of the two Pixel phones does have something of an edge when it comes to battery life. The new Pixel 9a has a 5100mAh battery, which is larger than the 47000mAh one found in the Pixel 9.

That said, the more affordable Pixel 9a only supports 23W fast-charging and 7.5W wireless charging. By comparison, the Pixel 9 supports 29W fast-charging via USB-C and 15W wireless charging with select Qi2 chargers.

To sum things up:

• The Google Pixel 9 has more RAM, better camera hardware and faster charging.
• The Google Pixel 9a is cheaper, comes with a new design, has a bigger battery and offers much of the same AI-powered functionality found in its flagship counterpart.

Aussies looking at picking up the Pixel 9a have four colors to choose from:

• Iris
• Peony
• Porcelain
• Obsidian

Check out the table below for a snapshot of how that compares to the color options for the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup.