The Google Pixel 9 is a great phone, but come March it could become a much less attractive option, as the latest Pixel 9a leak suggests this mid-range alternative will launch in mid-March, complete with Pixel 9-rivaling specs and a significant lower price.
This all comes from Android Headswhich claims that the Google Pixel 9a will have a 6.3-inch 120Hz display. That’s on par with the Pixel 9 and a huge upgrade over the 6.1-inch 60Hz Google Pixel 8a.
The site also claims that, like the Pixel 9, it will have a Tensor G4 chipset and a choice of 128GB or 256GB of storage, albeit paired with 8GB of RAM instead of 12GB.
It’s also said to have a 5,000mAh battery, meaning both the Pixel 8a and Pixel 9 outperform in terms of capacity. Although it apparently doesn’t charge as fast as the Pixel 9, with 18W wired and 7.5W wireless charging.
The cameras on the Pixel 9a will also reportedly differ from those of the Pixel 9, with the upcoming phone said to have a 48MP main and 13MP ultrawide camera, along with a 13MP front camera. On the standard Pixel 9 you get a 50MP main camera, an ultrawide 48MP, and a 10.5MP front camera.
Finally, the site says that the Google Pixel 9a will be slightly larger than its predecessor at 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm. That’s not surprising given the larger screen, but nevertheless it could be slightly lighter, at 186 grams instead of 188 grams. That would also make it bigger but lighter than the Pixel 9.
A larger battery and a lower price
So if this works out, the Pixel 9a could match the Pixel 9’s screen, chipset and storage, and even be better in battery capacity, but with less RAM, slower charging and possibly worse cameras.
Overall, the Google Pixel 9 is probably still the better phone, but according to this leak, the Pixel 9a will start at just $499. That’s the same price as the Pixel 8a, and if that holds true in other regions, then look to a starting price of £499 / AU$849 in the UK and Australia.
For comparison’s sake, the Pixel 9 starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,349, so it’s $300 / £300 / AU$500 more, and if this leak is true, we’d be surprised if the Pixel 9 specs go for $300 / £300 / AU$500 better. On the other hand, it’s possible that the standard Pixel 9 will have dropped quite a bit in price by March, in which case this could be the more tempting option of the two.
Either way, it seems like one of these phones will be most clearly worth the purchase, leaving the other to struggle.
