Cover image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
The Google Pixel 9a has been available in the Malaysian market for a month now. Priced at RM2,699 for the 128GB base unit, it's the latest addition to Pixel's more budget-friendly A series.
Having tried it out for the past month, here's what we think of the phone.
First impression: this is a very, very pink phone. We got to try out the Peony variant, and it's so pink, you'd only want to use it on Wednesdays 😉
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
The Pixel 9a also comes in Obsidian, Porcelain, and a new Iris colourway. Its 256GB variant is priced at RM3,199.
Looking at the overall design of the device, we're looking at a 6.3-inch Actua display encased in a smooth, flat aluminium frame with rounded edges and a matte back cover.
This is a stark contrast to the usual raised camera bump that gives Pixel phones their distinctive look. Ironically, the flat surface makes the Pixel 9a's design stand out.
While still rocking the usual capsule shape of Pixel cameras, the new design gives the Pixel 9a a sleeker, more modern look. Personally speaking, the absence of a big camera bump just feels more practical because you don't need to worry about damaging it, and it slips in and out of your pocket easily.
But it's all about individual preference, of course. Some people might miss the iconic camera bump.
The phone comes with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 cover glass, and it's IP68 dust and water resistant.
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
Along with being a very bright phone, we're also seeing a very bright screen (and a much larger battery)
The Pixel 9a's peak brightness is 2,700 nits, a significant upgrade from the Pixel 8a's peak 2,000 nits. Even under direct sunlight, the display remained fully visible, which is a much-appreciated feature as someone whose mode of transport requires a lot of walking.
The OLED display itself supports HDR and boasts a vibrant display that's pleasing to the eye. Watching animation on this phone was especially lovely because of its rich colours regardless of the room's brightness.
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
The phone's refresh rate can go up to 120Hz, but you can switch between that and 60Hz at your own convenience.
Battery-wise, we're looking at the biggest battery in the entire Pixel range to date. Google claims that the Pixel 9a's 5,100mAh battery can last up to 100 hours when in extreme battery saver mode.
In terms of everyday usage, it lasted me slightly more than 13 hours. Using Gemini Live's camera sharing function (more on that below) for a long time did drain the battery by a bit, but given the intensity of the task, the battery performance was still impressive.
It also supports fast charging as well as wireless charging. The phone comes with a USB-C cable, but the charger head would need to be purchased separately.
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
Under the hood, you're getting the same processor and AI tools as the Google Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro for a cheaper price
The Pixel 9a runs on Google's Tensor G4 chip, so despite being more than RM1,000 cheaper than the base unit of the most expensive of the Pixel 9 series, you're still getting the same core performance.
However, it comes with 8GB of RAM, which, while enough to sustain a solid performance, might not be suitable for people who multitask between high-intensity apps. For everyday use with average gaming sessions and Gemini tools usage, there wasn't any noticeable lag in performance.
Unlike its predecessor, the Pixel 9a also comes with in-built artificial intelligence (AI) features such as photo-editing capabilities and Gemini-powered tools.
One of these tools is Gemini Live, now with camera and screen sharing capabilities on Android devices. Using this was… an experience. The AI chatbot comes with a variety of voices to choose from, and speaking to it was very seamless, if not frighteningly close to speaking to another human.
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
The addition of camera and screen sharing capabilities made it even easier to communicate with Gemini. For example, if you have something to fix or decorate, you can turn on the camera option and point the camera at it, and Gemini can see what you're doing in real-time while offering help. You can even ask Gemini for shopping advice by sharing your screen while you browse for products online.
I tried out the camera sharing feature when my phone wasn't registering my SIM card, and Gemini walked me through eliminating the possible reasons behind the issue, such as the SIM card needing to be cleaned or if I needed to reset my connectivity options.
What's cool is that it felt like I was going back and forth with another human, and it was very helpful in narrowing down solutions as I tried each one before it ultimately suggested that the SIM card could be faulty — and it was.
I showed Gemini my Triceratops fossil model, and it was able to identify the dinosaur and give me fun facts about it.
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
Considering its array of AI features, that 8GB of RAM is still able to support all these tasks; however, prolonged use of Gemini Live with the camera on made the phone heat up a fair bit.
The main highlight for me is the camera, which comes with a variety of AI-powered tools so you get your picture just right
The Pixel 9a features a dual rear camera system with a 48MP main lens that supports up to 8x Super Res Zoom and a 13MP ultra-wide lens. It's a drop from the Pixel 8a's 64MP main, but it's still able to produce bright, high-resolution photos thanks to its larger sensor and dual-pixel autofocus.
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
A zoom test on the rear camera revealed the Kuala Lumpur skyline in the far distance.
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
The phone's in-built Macro Focus produced crisp, vibrant photos that really shone with nature photography.
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
At the front, it has a 13MP camera that works rather impressively regardless of the lighting situation, thanks to its ƒ/2.2 aperture.
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
Going back to the AI tools, the Pixel 9a comes with photo-taking tools like Best Take, which lets you choose and blend the best takes of everyone in a group photo, and Add Me, which adds you or whoever you're with into one photo by using augmented reality (You can check out our video on this neat feature here).
There are also tools available in post-editing, namely Auto Frame and Reimagine in Magic Editor. The latter gives you the ability to reimagine your photo with a simple prompt.
Depending on what your prompt is, it could either look seamless or scream "AI-generated image". Magic Editor comes up with a few variations you can choose from, and if you're not happy with its results, you can generate it again until you're satisfied.
Fiddling around with this feature is pretty fun, so bear with me and my prompts:
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
Image via null
Having said all that, what's the verdict on the Google Pixel 9a?
Image via Anne Nunis / SAYS
It's good value for money if you want a Pixel phone. For an upper mid-range phone, it comes with a lot of AI tools and a camera that has endeared itself to me.
It could do with a little bump RAM-wise, but if you're not a hardcore push-your-phone-to-the-limit type of person, it's more than enough to handle everyday activities.
The performance is smooth, the AI features are plentiful, and it's at the RM3,000 mark. If you're looking into getting a Pixel phone, the Pixel 9a is not one to overlook.
