release date, price, features… Here’s what we know

Friday 17th January 2025 11:18 AM

© ONLEAKS & ANDROIDHEADLINE

Like every year, Google will market a more accessible version of its Pixel 9. After the Pro, Pro XL and folding Pro Fold versions, the “a” model will be the mid-range version of Google smartphones, like its predecessors in their time . Among the potential new features, we can expect (logically) a change of chip in favor of that of the Pixel 9, the Tensor G4, new photo capabilities, a beefier battery or even a reworked aesthetic. In fact, at the time of writing, most of the leaks concerning the Pixel 9a come from our colleagues at Android Headlines, who claim to have obtained the product sheet for the device thanks to a telephone operator. Here’s a quick overview of what’s rumored about Google’s announced best seller.

A release in March or May?

Traditionally, Google Pixel “a” are launched in May. This was the case for the Pixel 7a and 8a, but Android Headlines suggests pre-orders will open in mid-March this year. There’s no real reason for the release window to differ, in our opinion. However, our colleagues claim to have multiple concordant sources. As nothing has yet been made official, we still recommend caution. We will probably have to wait a while before Google communicates on this subject.

A price identical to that of the Pixel 8a?

Still according to Android Headlines, Google has decided not to apply a price increase, unlike what the giant did with its classic Pixel 9 range. When it was released, the Pixel 8a was priced at $499 (€549 in France) for its basic version with 128 GB of storage. The 9a should therefore be displayed at the same price for an identical capacity. If we follow this logic, the 256 GB version could be exchanged for €609. This would allow us to move away a little from the Pixel 9 128 GB (€899) and to have real price consistency in the range.

Mid- to high-end features

This year again, the Pixel 9a would only make slight concessions compared to the Pixel 9. We would find:

A 6.2-inch screen (compared to 6.3 for the Pixel 9 and 6.1 for the Pixel 8a)
An Actua Full HD+ OLED panel (1080 x 2424 pixels, for a resolution of 422 ppi)
An adaptive refresh rate between 60 and 120 Hz
128 or 256 GB of storage

To run the machine, the Pixel 9a would logically rely on the Tensor G4 chip which already equips all smartphones in the current range. On the other hand, the RAM would be limited to 8 GB, when the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro XL are equipped with 12 and 16 GB of RAM respectively. Although the performance is sufficient for the vast majority of users, we know the tendency of Google SoCs (System on a chip) to heat up despite much more modest raw performance than competitors. However, this should pose no problem for multimedia use and common tasks, or even moderate video gaming.

A cleaner design

The “leaks” show a reworked design, particularly on the back of the phone. Gone is the traditional horizontal strip that housed the photo modules. According to recently released images, the Pixel 9a will be much flatter than its predecessors. This should allow the device to be more stable when placed down. The screen size would increase from 6.1 inches for the Pixel 8a to 6.2 inches for the Pixel 9a. A barely visible increase, however, allowing it to maintain a compact format. Especially since the size of the chin (part between the lower edge and the end of the screen) seems to have shrunk slightly compared to previous iterations.

© ONLEAKS & ANDROIDHEADLINE

On the Pixel 7 and 8, this was one of the main aesthetic characteristics allowing the “a” to be differentiated from other versions. Otherwise, the colors available should be the same as the Pixel 9, namely: Porcelain, Almond Green, Peony Pink and Volcanic Black.

A photo part in continuity

On the photo side, the Pixel 9a would have the following configuration (very close to that of the Pixel 8a):

A 48 Mpx (f 1.7) main photo sensor
A 13 Mpx ultra wide-angle (f 2.2)
A 13 Mpx front module (f 2.2)

The Pixel 8a had a 63 Mpx wide-angle sensor with an f/1.89 aperture lens. If the rumor is confirmed, this would show a desire on the part of the manufacturer to make its main camera brighter than on the previous generation. In fact, offering a sensor made up of a lower quantity of pixels is not a bad thing, quite the contrary. This means that the photosensitive cells will be fewer and potentially larger (if the sensor size remains the same), allowing them to capture more light. Add to that the larger lens aperture, and you get a brighter module, requiring less sensitivity to get the same amount of light and therefore generating less digital noise. The 13 Mpx ultra-wide-angle opening at f/2.2 would be similar to the previous generation. Let us also add that the new Pixel would, a priori, be capable of filming in 4K at 60 fps (images per second).

Given Google’s strategy for its Pixel a, which consists of offering an affordable price while limiting compromises on the photo part (this is generally the first criterion that is lost among the competition when it is necessary to lower prices), this Pixel 9a could well be, like its predecessor, one of the best affordable photophones of 2025.

A new, larger battery

One of the big changes of this new generation could be in terms of the battery. Indeed, its capacity would reach 5100 mAh, when that of its predecessor was limited to 4492 mAh. On the charging side, improvements should also be noted, but they would be very timid. We would go from wired charging from 18 W to 23 W. That’s already a win. That said, wireless charging would not evolve at all, and would remain stuck at 7.5 W. The Pixel 9a will therefore probably not be a lightning bolt from this point of view. Response in a few weeks or months.

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