Alright, so I’ve been using the new Pixel 9a for around three weeks now, and frankly? I’m sort of blown away. Google released this thing in March (seems like yesterday!), and for ₹49,999, it’s genuinely punching well above its weight. I did not hold high hopes for yet another mid-range phone, but with the processor that can handle my million open tabs, these insane AI camera stunts, and a battery that just won’t quit, I’m redefining what “mid-range” really means these days.
Design and Display
First impressions count, no? When I ripped open the box, I was like, “Huh, this. Feels. nice?” It has this flat, sort of futuristic-but-not-really-and-is-actually-the-most-comfortable thing with none of this hand-stretching awkwardness you get when you have these larger phones. The 6.3-inch pOLED screen (it’s now marketed as “Actua” and I have no idea what this means) manages to hit some sweet spot between being able to use it with one hand without feeling like you’re watching your favorite show on a postage stamp.
The brightness is CRAZY in pixel 9a. Like, 2,700 nits peak—35% more bright than my previous 8a. I was out at the park over the weekend, in direct sun, and was able to read my screen without resorting to that crazy hand-shade trick we all use. Game-changer.
I picked the Iris color of pixel 9a because I’m a basic like that, but my friend picked the Porcelain and it looks wayyy more stunning in real life compared to pictures. Also, hooray for Gorilla Glass 3. already dropped this thing twice (once on my bathroom floor, RIP my heart) and not even a scratch. Oh and side note—HDR10+ has improved my late-night Succession rewatch significantly. The colors just pop differently.
Performance
Hey, I’m not a benchmark geek or anything, but this Tensor G4 chip that Google designed is the real deal. With 8GB RAM, I’ve had Gmail, Spotify, Google Maps, Chrome with about 15 tabs open, and Instagram all running at the same time without that terrible lag that has you wanting to toss your phone across the room.
The AI thing is actually useful for once? The voice transcription is freakily accurate—I used it to take an interview last week and it even picked up most of the mumbling. And somehow the phone just. knows what app I’m going to open? It’s either reading my mind or I’m more predictable than I realized (prob the latter lol).
The Titan M2 security chip stuff is that feature you never even consider until you need it. I used Google Pay three times yesterday and didn’t have to worry once about some creep stealing my data.
Camera System
Cameras are Pixel’s game, and since I’ve had every Pixel from the 3, I had lofty expectations. That primary 48MP camera with that f/1.7 aperture is absurd—I took some nighttime photos at my friend’s birthday dinner at this dimly lit restaurant, and for some reason, they look like professional photographs. HOW?.
The 13MP ultrawide has been my unexpected favorite feature. Hiked up at Cedar Ridge this past weekend and took these panoramic landscape shots that captured the entire view without appearing distorted at the edges. And selfies? The 13MP front camera makes even my exhausted Monday morning face presentable.
But the computational capabilities are where it’s at. Magic Editor rescued a pristine beach photo that had some random guy walking in the background—two taps and zap! Gone! The new Macro Focus mode has me snapping strange close-ups of EVERYTHING. My girlfriend is fed up with how many up-close flower shots I’ve been showing her this week.
The video is finally great on a Pixel 9a as well! 4K at 60fps is silky smooth. Used the Add Me feature to take a family photo last Sunday when nobody was there to photograph us—a complete game changer for family events.
Battery Life and Charging
Can we discuss this 5,100mAh beast? Largest battery on a Pixel, and it SHOWS. I charged out at 7am yesterday, streamed Spotify during my hour-long commute, did a 2-hour video call, scrolled TikTok way too long during lunch, played Genshin Impact for an hour (don’t judge me), took a ton of photos, and still had 41% at midnight. That’s just not normal.
When I do need to charge, the 33W fast charging is a lifesaver. Forgot to charge before going out for dinner last Friday, plugged in during showering, and went from 12% to 62% in like 25 minutes. Also have a wireless charger on my nightstand—it’s slower at 7.5W but great for overnight.
Oh, and that bypass charging feature? Set it to stop at 80% because my previous phone’s battery went to hell after a year. Smart move, Google.
Software and Updates
Android 15 is tidy and streamlined, exactly as I prefer it. No bloatware, no strange duplicate apps, just the Google universe doing its business. Seven years of updates is genuinely why I purchased this instead of the Samsung A74—my previous phone turned into a security nightmare when updates ceased.
The Gemini AI integration is. Surprisingly helpful? Used it to write a cringey email to my boss last week, and somehow managed to make me sound professional and not passive-aggressive. Also rehearsed a presentation with it and received useful feedback. Interested in the screen-sharing capabilities they’re advertising—which could be useful for assisting my parents with their tech issues remotely.
Durability
So, cringeworthy anecdote—texting in the rain last Thursday, my phone slipped right out of my palm into a puddle. Complete on submerged for a second. My heart STUTTERED. But because of that IP68 rating, it’s just fine! Not even the speakers sound off.
The matte glass back is also unexpectedly fingerprint-resistant, which is wonderful because I’m too obstinate to use a case. Even though it feels solid, it’s not heavy enough to leave me with that pinky-finger dent we all suffer from holding our phones for too long.
Connectivity and Other Features
Connectivity-wise, I’m enjoying:
- 5G that works (looking at you, my previous phone that boasted 5G but always fell back to 4G)
- Wi-Fi 6E connects immediately even in the wifi deadzone corner of my building.
- Bluetooth 5.3 does not make me perform the annoying disconnect/reconnect dance with my earbuds.
- NFC that does not require me to perform the embarrassing “tap phone repeatedly against payment terminal while people wait behind me” dance
The speakers on the stereo amazed me—I was watching YouTube recipe videos while preparing dinner and didn’t even need to hook up my Bluetooth speaker. The phone calls are just as clear too, even when I was calling Mom from a busy coffee shop.
The safety features make me feel more at ease—particularly the Find My Device with location sharing. My partner and I share our locations when we’re out late, and it’s much more reliable than it was before.
Family-Friendly Features
Not going to lie, Google Family Link has rescued my sanity for my 9-year-old nephew when he’s over. Getting to set a limit on his screen time and view what applications he’s doing keeps the “I’ve played Minecraft for 6 hours uninterrupted” moments in check. School Time is also genius during homework hours—wish I had this when I was a youngster!
Comparison with Competitors
My buddy just acquired the iPhone 16e, and sorry Apple enthusiasts, but the Pixel camera flat-out murders it. Their single-lens design can’t come close to what Google’s doing with computational photography. Their 60Hz screen feels jittery alongside the Pixel’s silky 120Hz refresh rate. And let alone about Apple’s five-year update cycle vs. Google’s seven—that’s two whole extra years of not having to shell out cash for a new phone!
Tested out the Samsung Galaxy A74 and OnePlus Nord Ultra in the store as well. Good phones, but neither of them gets the whole package together like the Pixel. The Samsung camera processing was over-saturation (typical), and the OnePlus software was cluttered with features I’ll never actually use. At the price point, nothing even comes close to the Pixel 9a today.
Use Cases and Practicality
This phone just fits into so many lifestyles:
- My roommate, who is addicted to technology, borrowed it for a day and couldn’t get enough of the AI features and camera hacks.
- My sister (grad student, always on the go) adores the productivity features and focus modes.
- Took a camping trip with friends over the weekend, and it was an ideal outdoor friend—the battery lasted the entire duration, captured fantastic sunset shots, and endured a drop on rocks by accident.
Conclusion
Look, I’ve cycled through a lot of phones over the years, and the Pixel 9a is the first one that doesn’t have me leaning forward at six months, begging for an upgrade. It offers top-shelf performance without the top-shelf price, captures amazing pictures that make my Instagram look great, and has so much battery that I don’t spend my whole life in low-power terror.
With features such as the seven-year update guarantee, helpful AI features, and that massive 5,100mAh battery, it’s not only an excellent phone for today—it’s a savvy long-term buy. In a world where all other tech becomes outdated the second you take it home, that’s something special.
Also Read: Realme P3 Ultra Review
