Google Pixel 9a Review: Great Phone, Even Better Price

Google’s Pixel 9a is here, and after less than a week of using it after the company sent it our way, it honestly doesn’t feel like an entry phone at all. It’s slim, solid, and looks a lot like something Apple would design. The flat front and back, clean aluminum edges, and barely-there camera bump give it a premium feel. It sits comfortably in your hand, and the matching case (sold separately of course) feels soft to the touch while still giving you a grippy, secure hold.

The Pixel 9a has a simple design that is iPhone-like, especially looking at it from the sides. It’s pretty thin and its widget is great for one handed use. The design looks pretty good but after admiring it for a while, you’ll likely be tossing it into a case:

Here’s what the front box of the Pixel 9a and its matching silicone case looks like:

The Pixel 9a case is super soft to the touch and provides good grip. But beware it can also be a dust magnet. It’s still thin enough that it makes the Pixel 9a feel great in the hand. This is a perfect size for a smartphone.

Compared to last year’s Pixel 8a, the 9a brings a bunch of noticeable improvements. The screen is bigger at 6.3 inches, brighter with up to 2700 nits peak brightness (it’s VERY bright), and smoother thanks to a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s also more durable with IP68 water and dust resistance, up from the 8a’s IP67 rating. Battery life gets a solid upgrade too, jumping from 24+ hours to over 30 hours of use, and Extreme Battery Saver can stretch that to around 100 hours. There were no worries at all about battery life after a full day.

Pixel 9a packaging is all paper and there’s no plastic whatsoever:

Under the hood, the Pixel 9a is powered by Google’s latest Tensor G4 chip, which makes everything feel very fast—especially web browsing, which Google says is about 30% faster than on the 8a. You also get 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage. Wireless charging (albeit at up to 7.5 watts and not 15W like the Pixel 9) and fast charging (23W via USB-C) are both supported, which isn’t always guaranteed in this price range.

The camera setup includes a 48MP main lens and a 13MP ultrawide. One new trick is Macro Focus, letting you get super close for detailed shots—perfect for flowers, snowflakes, or anything tiny. Here’s an indoor macro shot that wasn’t taken in the best lighting, but the Pixel 9a camera did a good job:

Google’s AI-powered features like Best Take and Add Me are also included (super fun to try), making group photos much easier and more fun to capture. Video also benefits from updated Audio Magic Eraser to clean up background noise or make voices pop.

As for that flat back camera bump, it’s barely noticeable and a change from last year’s camera bar.

AI is a big focus here. The Pixel 9a runs the latest Gemini assistant. You can ask Gemini for help planning a trip, rewriting a message, or explaining something you’re looking at—all from the screen (Siri, takes notes). Tools like Circle to Search and the new Pixel Studio (basically Gemini’s AI image creator) show how AI is baked into everyday use. Gemini is really good especially in voice mode. Apple’s Siri can only dream of being able to converse like this.

Overall, the Pixel 9a is a big step forward for Google’s A-series. It has a fresh look, fast performance, and a surprisingly premium feel, plus its size is super pocket friendly. The minimal camera bump, flat design, and excellent case make it feel more high-end than its price tag suggests. It’s a strong pick if you want a capable phone that looks good, always gets the latest version of Android, and doesn’t break the bank compared to premium prices from Apple’s iPhone lineup (which might get more expensive this year).

Compared to the iPhone 16e starting at $899 in Canada (Apple hedged with a 1.50 exchange rate), the Pixel 9a looks like a bargain, if you’re thinking of switching to Android. Heck, if your kid needs a new smartphone, at this price point it’s not going to blow up your wallet like an iPhone.

At a starting price of $679 CAD for 128GB (it’s cheaper than the U.S. starting price of $499 US after exchange rates; should be at least $699 CAD) and $809 for 256GB, the Pixel 9a keeps the same pricing as the Pixel 8a. Given the weak Canadian dollar and uncertainty over U.S. tariffs, it’s a compelling option for anyone seeking day-one Android updates (with 7 years of support guaranteed). Right now, Google is also offering a $150 trade-in credit toward a Pixel 9a purchase.