With its sleek designs, dependable performance, and exquisite camera technology, the Pixel series is a market leader in smartphones. The Google Pixel 9a is a new smartphone that combines the best features of the Pixel line into a cost-effective and impressive package. To help you understand how the Google Pixel 9a and 8a differ, we have dissected all of the information contained within each device in this comparison guide. Choose from a wide range of colors and storage options if you want to buy the Pixel 9a or Pixel 8a for yourself.
Spec comparison
Pixel 9a from Google Design
What to take away
• There is no distinctive camera bar on the back of the Pixel 9a.
• Pixel 9a has IP68 water and dust protection, compared to the Pixel 8a’s IP67 rating
• The Pixel 8a weighs a little less than the Pixel 9a.
• Both have Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection
One of the most visible changes to the Google Pixel 9a is the removal of the raised camera bar on the rear of the phone, leaving the two lenses almost fully flush with the device for a smooth, sleek finish. The handset also has a flatter back than the Pixel 8a, which has rounded edges. Design
Key takeaways
• There is no distinctive camera bar on the back of the Pixel 9a.
• Pixel 9a has IP68 water and dust protection, compared to the Pixel 8a’s IP67 rating
• Pixel 8a is slightly heavier than the Pixel 9a
• The screens of both have Gorilla Glass 3 for protection. One of the most visible changes to the Google Pixel 9a is the removal of the raised camera bar on the rear of the phone, leaving the two lenses almost fully flush with the device for a smooth, sleek finish. The handset also exhibits a flatter back, instead of the rounded edges found on the Pixel 8a.
Pixel 8a
Weighing in at just 185g, the Pixel 9a is lighter than its predecessor that weighed 187g, making it feel a bit more comfortable in the pocket and when holding the phone. It’s an all-round larger device in terms of height and width, but we found that these dimension tweaks didn’t have a noticeable impact on portability.
Display
What to take away
• The screen on the Pixel 9a is slightly larger.
• Pixel 9a has a higher peak brightness
• Both share a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR support
The Google Pixel 9a has a pOLED display of 6.3 inches, 0.2 inches larger than its predecessor. It also features a higher 1080 x 2424 resolution, enabling the Pixel 9a to output visuals in greater detail compared to the Pixel 8a.
Viewing the Pixel 9a when outdoors was much easier, thanks to its higher peak brightness of 2,700 nits. Colour levels were also boosted as a result, giving it an extra display advantage over the Pixel 8a.
The Pixel 8a does share a few significant display similarities with the Pixel 9a that keep it in the race, such as a 120Hz refresh rate to ensure everything feels silky-smooth, and HDR support for true-to-life contrasts. However, the Pixel 9a is the better option if you want the best display out of these two options.
Software and performance What to take away
• The faster Google Tensor G4 processor is included in the Pixel 9a.
• Both come with 8GB RAM
• They both work with Android 15
• Both have support for Gemini and Pixel AI Running the Google Tensor G4 processor, the Pixel 9a has an advantage over the Pixel 8a when it comes to performance. It has faster and smoother processing speeds, making it perfect for long gaming sessions, streaming, and general online browsing. The Pixel 8a remains an extremely fast phone, but the Tensor G4 certainly represents an upgrade.
The Google Pixel 9a has support for Android 15, which gives it more personalization and security features. It also has many of the same features as the Pixel 8a, like Private Space and Theft Detection Lock. Circle to Search for quick browsing, Magic Eraser for advanced photo editing, and Google’s Gemini are just a few examples of their AI capabilities.
Cameras
Key takeaways
• Pixel 9a’s wide camera doesn’t offer the same image quality as the Pixel 8a pixel-by-pixel
• Pixel 9a does offer far greater image stabilisation
• Pixel 9a packs in more features
Camera hardware is one area where the Pixel 8a has the 9a beat, at least from a pixel density perspective. Dropping from a 68MP wide and 13MP ultra-wide lens on the Pixel 8a to a 48MP wide and 13MP ultra-wide lens on its successor, photos on the Pixel 8a look sharper and more rich in detail. This change undoubtedly has an effect on overall image quality, but the Pixel 9a is still an impressive offering in its price range.
All is not lost for the Pixel 9a’s 48MP wide camera, however. It has optical image stabilisation, which shifts the optical path to the camera’s sensor by detecting movement with a gyroscope, as an advantage over the Pixel 8a. As a result, image clarity is improved and camera shake is significantly reduced when using this. When it comes to software, the Pixel 9a adds additional tools to the Pixel 8a’s excellent feature set. Add Me is one that is not available on the Pixel 8a. With it, you can combine two photos and make sure that everyone is in them. There’s also Macro Focus for taking extreme close-ups; useful if you enjoy snapping pictures of nature.
Due to the fact that both the Pixel 9a and 8a share Magic Editor and Audio Magic Eraser, filmmakers and videographers can use them to their full potential. The Pixel 9a comes with extra features like Reimagine, an AI-powered feature that can be used to change and shape images in interesting ways if you want more control over how you edit your photos. Battery
Key takeaways
• Pixel 9a comes with a larger battery
• Pixel 9a can last up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver mode enabled, compared to ~72 hours on the Pixel 8a
• Both share fast wired charging and wireless charging support
The battery life of the Pixel 9a and 8a is unquestionably one of the most significant distinctions between the two models. We were impressed by the 8a’s 4,492mAh battery when it released, but the 9a’s 5,100mAh unit far surpasses it for battery life. ~30 hours of usage is possible without any long gaming sessions or continuously streaming videos, and with Extreme Battery Saver mode enabled, you can get around 100 hours out of the Pixel 9a before charging it back up.
The Pixel 9a and 8a are the same when it comes to charging, so they can’t really be separated. While both support wireless charging and fast wired charging, the Pixel 9a has a slight advantage by supporting 23W rather than 18W.
Summary
As we’d expect from a generational upgrade, the Google Pixel 9a comes out on top over the Pixel 8a in most categories. If you’re looking to change up your current Pixel 8a or move over to the series, it represents an excellent budget-friendly option. That being said, the Pixel 8a remains a viable choice if you don’t need the extra bells and whistles provided by the Pixel 9a.
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