Google Pixel 9a Review: One of the Best Deals in Smartphones

Every year, Google’s Pixel A-series reminds me that I did not have to pay all that cash for the Pro variant to live a good life. The Pixel 9a may have been delayed coming out of the gate, but it remains one of the best deals in the business. For $500, you get a bona fide Pixel device in two optional stunning colorways, the same Tensor processor as the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup, wireless charging, and access to Google’s numerous AI tricks. One feature that’s notably missing is a camera zoom capability. However, the absence of that on most devices at this price is a reminder that it’s not an essential need for a smartphone. See Pixel 9a at Amazon It’s interesting to compare the Pixel 9a to Apple’s iPhone 16e, which claims to offer a similar “essential” flagship experience but for the walled garden crowd. The iPhone 16e seemed modeled after Google’s formula with the A-series over the last six generations, and right now both have a lot of small AI features that are meant to be big selli ... Read full article.