Google Pixel 9a Review: Still the Best Smartphone Leave a comment

Google is using the identical top-end Tensor G4 processor because the Pixel 9 collection, although you get solely 8 gigabytes of RAM versus 12 on the Pixel 9 and 16 on the Pixel 9 Professional. For essentially the most half, efficiency feels similar to Google’s flagship telephones. Apps launch shortly, multitasking is snappy, and it did not battle with the few cell video games I attempted.

However the lesser RAM means a couple of Gemini-powered software program options from the Pixel 9 collection aren’t out there, just like the Pixel Screenshots app and Name Notes, which routinely offers a textual content abstract of your cellphone calls. I discover these useful, so it is a disgrace they are not right here, however not sufficient to ding the cellphone’s rating for it.

I additionally had some points with Assistant Voice Typing—the souped-up voice-to-text tech—although this will or will not be associated. It obtained a couple of issues incorrect as I spoke. That is widespread for different telephones, however I normally have an almost flawless expertise on Pixels.

The massive enchancment over its predecessor is battery life. There’s now a beefy 5,100-mAh cell, the biggest thus far in a Pixel cellphone. You are not going to get two-day battery life, however I’ve typically ended most days with a cushty 30 to 40 p.c left over. On the day of the Nintendo Change 2 announcement, I used to be posting reside for an hour on Bluesky, to not point out utilizing Slack and enabling the recent spot perform to edit and add some pictures from a pill. By 5:30 pm, the Pixel 9a was at 15 p.c. Heavy customers could have to tote round an influence financial institution.

I have never had many points with the remainder of the {hardware}. I like that I can wirelessly cost this Pixel even when it is utilizing the older, fundamental Qi commonplace. Wi-fi charging is not a given on low cost and midrange telephones, so it is a plus. Google has upgraded the IP score to IP68 now, that means the cellphone may be submerged for longer intervals and nonetheless come out OK. The optical fingerprint sensor is quick and dependable, and this stays one of many solely Android telephones with a safe face unlock that works with banking and different delicate apps. It is a disgrace that Google’s face-scanning biometrics system nonetheless does not work nicely in the dead of night, and it isn’t as safe as Apple’s Face ID (it may be spoofed).

The Pixel Eye

The twin-camera system consists of a 48-megapixel important sensor and a 13-MP ultrawide, with a 13-MP selfie digital camera on the entrance. As with nearly each Pixel cellphone, it is onerous to not be impressed with the digital camera high quality in comparison with its friends. This Pixel can also be aware of most of the new AI software program options Google debuted on the Pixel 9, like Add Me, Finest Take, Reimagine, and Auto body. I explored a whole lot of these options right here and in my Pixel 9 overview.

Pictures will not be as sharp as what you may get from the iPhone 16e’s digital camera, however you’d solely discover should you zoomed in. Whether or not it is through the day or at evening, you possibly can anticipate a pointy, colourful, and brilliant picture, one that may deal with high-contrast scenes decently. Even some 4K 60-frames-per-second video footage I shot in a dimly lit karaoke room got here out wanting completely usable, if a bit grainy.