With Google reportedly about to launch its new budget Android phone, a Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a comparison becomes more relevant than ever as people hunt for the best cheap phone.
Google's Pixel A series phones have built up a pretty strong reputation for offering premium features at a more reasonable price than most flagships, and last year's Pixel 8a certainly upheld that tradition.
Not only did the Pixel 8a's cameras produce photos that could hold their own against much more expensive camera phones, the device also delivered the same AI capabilities found in Google's Pixel 8 flagships. And all that came in a phone that cost less than $500.
We expect the new Google Pixel 9a to offer similarly strong camera performance while also matching the Pixel 9's AI feature set. But Google is reportedly planning other changes, including a totally new look.
This Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a face-off looks at what those changes could be based on the rumors we've heard about the upcoming phone. Let's dive in.
Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a price and availability
The Pixel 8a debuted just ahead of the May 2024 Google I/O conference, which has been Google's usual launch window for its midrange phone.
With the Pixel 9a, Google is rumored to be moving up the launch date. Multiple reports claim a mid-March release is in the cards. If true, we'll be able to get our hands on the phone by the end of this month.
But how much will it cost to get your hands on the Pixel 9a? The rumor mill has some good news there, with the upcoming phone expected to keep the $499 starting price of the Pixel 8a.
That's great news for a couple of reasons. First, it comes immediately after Google raised the price of its flagship phones last fall, charging $799 for the Pixel 9 after the Pixel 8 cost $699.
A $499 Pixel 9a also would have an edge over the iPhone 16e, its closest rival in the midrange phone market. Apple's iPhone SE replacement costs $599, so Google is well positioned to offer a more affordable model with the Pixel 9a.
Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a specs
Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a design and display
Google's Pixel lineup could be getting a new look starting with the Pixel 9a. Past Pixels — flagships and midrange models included — have featured a camera bar on the back of the device. That bar spanned the length of the phone and housed the rear cameras in a horizontal line.
Pixel 9a renders that we've seen show the new phone without a camera bar. The rear cameras are still aligned horizontally, but now, they're in a pill-shipped array that's tucked into the corner of the device.
Other design changes are on tap. In a leaked video that claims to show off the Pixel 9a, the new phone has flat sides compared to the more rounded edges of the Pixel 8a.
The Pixel 8a features a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. Rumors have that display retaining the refresh rate on the Pixel 9a but expanding slightly to 6.3 inches.
Google offers the Pixel 8a in four colors Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay and Aloe. (You can call those options black, white, blue and green if you prefer.)
Rumored Pixel 9a colors indicate that Obsidian and Porcelain are sticking around, but that they'll be joined by two other colors. Peony (pink) looks to be coming over from the Pixel 9 lineup, while Iris looks to be a blueish purple color that's new to the lineup.
Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a cameras
Cameras are a critical part of the Pixel A series story as they help Google's device rank among the best camera phones year after year. That's as much about the image processing Google includes on its phones, but hardware plays a role, too.
The Pixel 8a features a 64MP main camera joined by a 13MP ultrawide lens on its back, while a 13MP sensor powers the front camera. The Pixel 9a is tipped to keep that dual rear lens setup, even as Nothing is making hay with its new Nothing Phone 3a devices that feature telephoto lenses despite their low starting price.
The camera setup may be staying the same on the Pixel 9a, but at least one of the cameras looks to be getting an upgrade. Rumored camera specs claim the new phone will feature a 48MP main camera along with the 13MP ultrawide lens.
On paper, that seems to be a downgrade, at least in terms of megapixels. But the 48MP sensor Google reportedly plans to use would be the same one featured in other phones such as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
That sensor is larger than the one the Pixel 8a uses, which should result in the ability to capture more light. That would translate to sharper pictures from the Pixel 9a.
Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a performance
Just about the easiest upgrade to forecast on a new Pixel phone involves the system-on-chip Google plans to use. Since Pixel A phones typically opt for the same silicon as the flagship phones released the prior fall, the Pixel 9a is in line to pick up the Pixel 9's Tensor G4 chipset.
The switch to a Tensor G4 from the Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8a should lead to a boost in performance, at least if the benchmarks we got when testing the Pixel 9 are any indication.
The G4-powered Pixel 9 beat the Pixel 8's single-core and multicore Geekbench 6 test results by 12% and 23%, respectively, which suggests a faster CPU. Graphics test scores were flat between the Tensor G4 and G3, though.
While faster performance is always welcome, that's not the real benefit to Google's Tensor silicon. Tensor puts the focus on its neural engine, which allows it to power on-device AI features. We'll look at the implications there when we talk about Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a software improvements.
Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a battery life and charging
The Pixel 8a managed to buck a trend with recent Google devices by outperforming the average smartphone's result on our battery test, in which we time how long it takes for a phone to run out of power when surfing the web continuously.
The Pixel 8a's time of 11 hours and 21 minutes was a step in the right direction, but still well off the pace need to boast the best phone battery life.
If rumors are to be believed, Google is taking steps to further address Pixel longevity. Rumors tip the phone to feature a 5,100 mAh battery, which would be quite an upgrade from the 4,492 mAh cell in the Pixel 8a.
Wired charging speed is expected to get a slight boost over the 18W speeds offered by the Pixel 8a, and the new Pixel should continue to offer wireless charging, according to rumors.
Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a software and special features
Assuming our guess about the Pixel 9a getting a Tensor G4 chipset is correct, we can also count on the new phone picking up the Google AI tools found on the Pixel 9.
That would include photo editing features like Add Me for inserting people into group shots and the Reimagine image editing feature that relies on text prompts.
Other potential AI additions to the Pixel 9a include the Screenshot app that not only stores screenshots but lets you search their contents.
You should also expect a Call Notes tool that records, transcribes and summarizes phone calls, as well as the Pixel Studio app for generating images with text prompts.
Gemini Live integration should be coming, too, though Gemini Advanced features will likely cost Pixel 9a owners extra. (The Pixel 9 Pro models come with a year of Gemini Advanced.)
With the Pixel 8a, Google boosted security and software support to seven years for its midrange phone. We would expect that to continue with the Pixel 9a.
Google Pixel 9a vs. Pixel 8a outlook
The Google Pixel 9a could very well hold on to the best cheap phone crown if all the rumored upgrades prove accurate.
For the same $499, the Pixel 9a is rumored to deliver a larger display, a sleeker design without the bulky camera bar and more powerful cameras. And while the Tensor G4 chip isn't the fastest, it should provide smooth performance in everyday tasks.
Add in compelling AI features and a larger battery, and this could be one of the best bargains of the year. Stay tuned for our full review.
