4 indicators the Pixel 9a will not be what you count on

This yr, considered one of my most anticipated smartphones is not the iPhone 17 Air or the Galaxy S25 Edge however Google’s mid-range Pixel 9a, which is predicted to launch this spring. Though Google has not formally introduced the gadget, there was a barrage of leaks and rumors about it, with a recent leak indicating that pre-orders for the handset will start on March 19, with an official launch on March 26 — which is quick approaching.

As somebody who’s quite fond of the Pixel 8a, I can not wait to see the thrilling updates the Pixel 9a would possibly provide by way of design and efficiency. Primarily based on these 4 leaks, Google may have some nice surprises in retailer for us with the Pixel 9a.

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1 Bye-bye, iconic digital camera bar

Is that an iPhone SE?

Android Headlines / Pocket-lint

An up to date digital camera design is likely one of the most vital modifications the Pixel 9a may noticeably have. The Pixel 8a and the Pixel 9 series have a really outlined digital camera bar that protrudes from the again of the cellphone, however primarily based on leaked renders, that’s all about to vary. Android Headlines has lately revealed new renders of the Pixel 9a that seemingly verify months of leaks that the cellphone may have a flat digital camera bump this yr.

The 2 cameras on the again of the cellphone are anticipated to be a 48-megapixel major shooter and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens. Truthfully, squinting on the leaked render, should you advised me that was the new iPhone SE, I’d imagine you. The design offers me heavy iPhone vibes, which isn’t a foul factor contemplating the brand new iPhone SE can be this cellphone’s greatest competitor available on the market. Change isn’t at all times a foul factor, and I dig it relating to this digital camera bar design — at the least you possibly can lay it flat on a desk now.

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2 The most important battery on a Pixel but

You will not have to fret about battery life on this cellphone

One of many leaks that intrigues me probably the most concerning the Pixel 9a is its important battery improve. The Pixel 8a sports activities a 4,492mAh battery, whereas the Pixel 9a may have a 5,100mAh battery, the most important in a Pixel but. Google’s option to put its largest battery up to now in a mid-range gadget could be attention-grabbing, however I’m all for it.

I’ve by no means had any points with the battery on my Pixel 8a, and the charge limit and bypass charging feature that Google added in its December Pixel feature drop replace made the expertise even higher than it already was. If the Pixel 9a does have a 5,100mAh battery, it makes me much more curious to see what Google has deliberate for the Pixel 10 sequence this summer time. Hopefully, with the bigger battery, Google may also enhance the charging velocity of the Pixel 9a. The Pixel 8a’s quick charging fee is simply 18W, so it could be good to see the Pixel 9a be faster and match the Pixel 9’s 27W of quick charging.

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3 Copying the Pixel 9’s show

A 6.3-inch show is ideal

Android Headlines / Pocket-lint

I’ve by no means preferred bigger smartphones. I discover 6.7-inch or 6.9-inch telephones too cumbersome, and I’ve at all times most popular handsets with a 6.1-inch or 6.3-inch show. This yr, leaks point out the Pixel 9a will function a 6.3-inch show, barely bigger than the Pixel 8a’s 6.1-inch display screen. You may not like this modification should you recognize smartphones being as small as potential. Nevertheless, this can be a welcome change should you do not thoughts a barely bigger show, plus it places its display screen dimension on par with its flagship counterpart.

The Pixel 9 has a 6.3-inch show, and leaks indicate the Pixel 9a may straight copy nearly the whole lot about it, together with its Actua FHD+ OLED panel, which has a 120Hz adaptive refresh fee and a peak brightness of two,000 nits. Nevertheless, one space through which the Pixel 9a’s show may compromise is the bezel division. Wanting on the leaked renders from Android Headlines, the bezels appear barely bigger than the Pixel 9’s, however I could possibly be flawed.

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4 Efficiency and value

Please keep at $500

Android Headlines / OnLeaks / Pocket-lint

Arguably, the Pixel 9a’s value is likely one of the most essential features of the gadget. It’s a mid-range cellphone in any case, and folks will gravitate in the direction of this gadget if the worth is correct for what you get. Final yr, the Pixel 8a began at $500 for the 128GB, and leaks counsel the Pixel 9a may also begin at $500 for the 128GB mannequin. That is excellent news, as Google simply may’ve bumped up the handset’s value barely, given the upgrades it’s supposedly getting. The choice to maintain it at $500 will make it stay aggressive with new iPhone SE coming from Apple, which is predicted to be introduced any day now and certain begin at $500. The 256GB Pixel 9a is rumored to begin at $600, a $40 price increase in comparison with the 256GB Pixel 8a.

One other leak that’s admittedly not so stunning is that Google’s Tensor G4 chipset will energy the Pixel 9a. Provided that this chipset powers the whole Pixel 9 sequence, it could be bizarre for the Pixel 9a to not have it. After all, the Pixel 8a borrowed its chipset from its flagship counterparts final yr, the Pixel 7a the yr earlier than, and so forth, so there’s a longtime precedent for it. The cellphone will supposedly have 8GB of RAM as nicely (identical because the Pixel 8a) and be accessible in 4 colorways: peony, iris, obsidian, and porcelain. If the leaks are right, the Pixel 9a can be accessible for pre-order on March 19 and launch on March 26, so preserve your eyes peeled for Google to drop this cellphone subsequent month.

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