Google confirms the Pixel 9a has a major connectivity downgrade

TL;DR Google has revealed that the Pixel 9a has the Exynos Modem 5300 rather than the newer Exynos Modem 5400 seen in the Pixel 9 series. This is despite the fact that the Pixel 9a uses a Tensor G4 processor much like the Pixel 9 range. Previous Pixels with the old modem were criticized for their cellular reception and battery life. The Google Pixel 9a is finally here, and the new phone is equipped with the Pixel 9 family’s Tensor G4 chipset. However, it turns out that the Pixel 9a processor has received a significant connectivity downgrade. Google told Android Authority that the Pixel 9a used the old Exynos Modem 5300 rather than the Exynos Modem 5400 seen on the Pixel 9 series, despite sharing what is otherwise the same chipset. This might be a major downgrade in practice as earlier Pixels with this modem, particularly the Pixel 6 series, suffered from disappointing cellular reception and poor battery life on cellular data. Google made good progress on these issues over the year ... Read full article.