Google Pixel 9a ZDNET's key takeaways The Google Pixel 9a is the latest midrange phone from the company and retails for $499.
It features a new Tensor G4 chip, helpful AI tools, an improved main camera, and the largest battery of any Pixel.
You'll have to settle for some budget trade-offs, including the lack of a telephoto lens and slower charging speeds. View now at Google View now at Amazon View now at T-Mobile more buying choices
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I'm inclined to think that the folks behind the Google Pixel 9a are from the future because if there's one thing that the phone gets right, it's timing.
The latest Pixel 9a retails for $499, making it a stellar phone investment in today's -- and the foreseeable future's -- unpredictable economy. Of course, the recent tariff news I've been tiptoeing through has been in discussions since January.
Also: This Pixel 10 rumor just gave Google an edge over Samsung and OnePlus
But with the latest wave of announcements, it's clear that the consumer electronics market is about to go into a full-blown frenzy, as brands brace for impact, prices teeter on the edge, and shoppers rush to lock in value before the storm truly hits.
That means devices like the Pixel 9a -- ones that promise long-term benefits at a relatively affordable price -- matter more than ever. The timing alone makes the Pixel 9a one of the most significant devices of 2025, even if it wasn't meant to be when first unveiled.
Macroeconomics 101 aside, here's what you need to know about the Pixel 9a I've been driving daily for a few months now, including who should buy it and what makes it worth upgrading to.
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