The Google Pixel 9a has officially launched, and it enters the market with a premium price tag of ₹49,999. At first glance, the thick bezels around the display may raise eyebrows for a device in this price segment, but beyond the design choices, the phone offers a mix of notable upgrades, smart AI features, and a clean Android experience. Here’s a detailed look at what the Pixel 9a brings to the table.

Unboxing Experience

The Pixel 9a arrives in eco-friendly packaging with a simple pull-tab design. Inside the box, you’ll find:

  • The smartphone unit
  • A Type-C to Type-C charging/data cable
  • Documentation (warranty and quick start guide)

It’s important to note that no charging brick is included, a common trend among premium smartphones today.

Design and Build Quality

The unit reviewed here is in the Iris Purple color. The phone sports a metallic frame with a polycarbonate rear panel. Although a glass back would have enhanced the premium feel, the current build is sturdy and lightweight at approximately 185 grams. The camera module sits flush, preventing wobble when placed on flat surfaces.

The Pixel 9a supports IP68 water and dust resistance, offering protection against occasional splashes and accidental drops in water. Additionally, it includes USB Type-C 3.2, enabling high-speed data transfers.

Display: Bright and Smooth, But With Bezels

The Pixel 9a features a 6.3-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Always-On Display support. The display is vivid and color-accurate, and offers HDR10+ content streaming on platforms like Netflix and YouTube. It boasts an impressive peak brightness of 2700 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight.

However, thick bezels around the screen remain a drawback. Furthermore, the Gorilla Glass 3 protection is dated compared to newer glass technologies available at this price point.

Performance: Tensor G4 and UFS 3.1

Under the hood, the Pixel 9a is powered by the Tensor G4 chipset, paired with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. In benchmark tests, the phone scored over 1.1 million on AnTuTu, demonstrating its capability for daily tasks and moderate gaming.

However, CPU throttling was observed during extended performance tests, and the device showed signs of heating under load. Despite that, it managed 60FPS in BGMI and 90FPS in Call of Duty, delivering smooth gameplay experiences with gyroscope support.

Camera Performance: Google’s Computational Photography Shines

The Pixel 9a continues Google’s legacy of impressive photography with:

  • 48MP Main Camera
  • 13MP Ultra-Wide Camera
  • 13MP Front Camera

It supports:

  • 4K 60FPS video recording on the rear camera
  • 4K 30FPS video recording on the front camera

Photo quality remains one of the strongest aspects of the Pixel lineup. Whether in daylight or low light, the dynamic range, portrait clarity, and night photography were all excellent.

The device also includes unique AI-powered features such as:

  • Best Take: Select your preferred facial expression.
  • Reimagine: Change background or replace objects.
  • Magic Editor: Allows in-depth photo edits directly on the device.

Battery and Charging

The phone houses a 5100mAh battery, a bump from previous generations. It supports:

  • 23W wired charging
  • 7.5W Qi wireless charging

While wireless charging is a valuable addition, faster wired charging (at least 65W) would have been more competitive, especially in this price range.

Software: Clean and Intelligent

The Pixel 9a runs on stock Android 15, offering a bloatware-free, smooth user experience. Google’s Gemini 2.0 AI assistant is integrated for contextual queries and productivity features.

Connectivity

The Pixel 9a is well-equipped on the connectivity front:

  • Dual 5G SIM support (18 bands)
  • Wi-Fi 6E
  • Bluetooth 5.3
  • NFC

It also includes car crash detection, a safety feature rarely seen in mid-range smartphones.

Verdict: Is the Pixel 9a Worth ₹49,999?

The Pixel 9a delivers where it matters most — a stellar camera, clean Android UI, AI-driven features, and solid build quality. However, there are two main shortcomings:

  • Thick display bezels that affect its premium appeal
  • Slow wired charging in comparison to competitors

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense Android experience with smart features, camera prowess, and long-term updates, the Pixel 9a is a great contender — but it could have been closer to perfection with just a few tweaks.