Google Pixel 9a review

Full review

The Pixel 9a is the phone we would recommend to most people with up to €400 to spend. It launched in 2025 for considerably more, but since the Pixel 10a arrived it has dropped well into this range.

Google's camera processing is the main reason to buy it. The 48MP main camera with optical stabilisation is backed by Google's camera processing, and there is a 13MP ultrawide. There is no telephoto lens, so zoomed shots are crops.

The 6.3-inch pOLED screen is smaller than most rivals here, which makes the phone easier to use with one hand. It refreshes at 120Hz and has a quoted peak of 2,700 nits. The 5,100 mAh battery is a large capacity for a compact phone.

The Pixel 9a is IP68 rated and is the only phone on this page with wireless charging. Google promises up to seven Android upgrades, so it should be supported into the 2030s. The weaknesses are slow 23W charging and a Tensor G4 chip that is fine for daily use but not the best for heavy gaming.