To say that Pixel smartphones leak frequently is an understatement – just this year alone, we’ve seen a massive amount of leaks surrounding the Pixel 8a, as well as the Pixel 9 series. With that said, the Pixel 9a is the next major Google smartphone release that’s expected to arrive in a number of months, and as such we’ve now seen a ton of unofficial but nevertheless juicy information about it. So what can we expect with the Pixel 9a?
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A Revamped Design
To start things off, it looks like Google has decided to try and do something different this time around, at least in terms of aesthetics. Back when the Pixel 6 launched, Google introduced a camera bar design which became a distinct trait of the Pixel phones moving forward, and while subsequent iterations featured a slightly-redesigned look it remained mostly similar. With the Pixel 9a though, leaked design renders (courtesy of Android Headlines) show that Google has removed the camera bar on the upcoming phone, with a smaller opening for the camera and a separate cutout for the LED flash.
Unlike earlier Pixel A-series models, it will also feature flat sides this time around as seen on the more premium Pixel 9 series phones. It does evoke strong iPhone vibes and this design change has been a bit divisive among hardcore Pixel enthusiasts.
Same Old SoC
For its processor, the Pixel 9a will supposedly feature the Tensor G4 chip, which made its debut with the Pixel 9 devices. While the Tensor G4 doesn’t exactly offer groundbreaking performance upgrades over the Tensor G3 from last year, it does come with enhanced efficiency thanks to a fairly newer modem from Samsung. Basically, this means that the Pixel 9 series phones are less prone to overheating and battery drain, which are much-welcome improvements. While the Tensor G5 is expected to come out next year with massive performance improvements, it won’t be available just yet on the Pixel 9a unfortunately.
However, it’s rumoured that the Pixel 9a will not feature the new modem on its version of the Tensor G4, and instead will use an older Samsung modem. This has led some to speculate about the overall efficiency of the device, especially since heat management and battery endurance were prevalent issues on earlier Tensor-powered Pixel phones.
New Colours and Launch Date
The leaks also claim that Google will introduce new colours for the A-series once the Pixel 9a launches. If you remember, this year’s Pixel 8a launched with a couple of the usual colour options in black and white (or Obsidian and Porcelain as per Google), although Google also introduced Aloe and Bay variants, the latter of which first appeared on the more expensive Pixel 8 Pro from last year. With the Pixel 9a, it looks like we’re also getting black and white, a Peony version (the Pink one on the Pixel 9 phones), and a newer “Iris” model which is expected to feature a bluish-purple look.
Finally, it’s expected that Google will launch the Pixel 9a much earlier this year, at around March. The A-series Pixels have traditionally made their debut at Google I/O in May, although it looks like Google is shifting its launch dates as seen with the earlier release of the Pixel 9 phones. There’s no word on pricing yet, although many are hoping that Google keeps it under £500.
