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When we went hands-on with the Google Pixel 9a earlier this year, we praised it for nailing the basics (battery life, performance, vivid display) while keeping a very accessible price point.
Right now, the Google Pixel 9a is on sale for Black Friday at Amazon for just $349, a 30% discount off the regular price that makes this Android phone one of the most well-rounded devices under $500 that you can get.
Also: The best Black Friday deals live now
With built-in AI, an all-day battery, and the durability you expect from an Android, you get seven years of OS and security updates and the flexibility to work with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers.
So what makes it so good? First, it has a clear, bright display -- up to 2,700 nits of peak brightness versus the Pixel 8a's 2,000. The improved luminance is especially noticeable outside in direct sunlight, something we called out during our testing.
As far as everyday use goes, the Pixel 9a is snappy and responsive, with the same Tensor G4 chipset as the Pixel 9 series models with 8GB of RAM. Google says the Tensor G4 chip is 30% faster in web browsing over last year's Tensor G3.
Also: I found the Pixel 9 Pro XL for $699 - here's why this is the Android phone deal to grab
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