Google Pixel 9a Features That Redefine Budget Smartphones in 2025

Summary: Google’s Pixel 9a delivers impressive value at $499 with features previously unthinkable in sub-$500 smartphones, including a new 48-megapixel camera with flagship photo capabilities like Astrophotography and Night Sight. The device boasts exceptional durability with an IP68 rating, metal frame, and eco-friendly construction using recycled materials while offering the largest battery ever in a Pixel phone and an unprecedented 7 years of software updates

Google’s Pixel 9a is such an impressive smartphone, when you consider its price point. It wasn’t that long ago that a lot of the Google Pixel 9a features were unheard of in a smartphone that cost under $500. But here we are.

First off, Google has outfitted the Pixel 9a with a 48-megapixel primary camera this year. This is a new sensor, and it seems to be a downgrade on paper. It has fewer megapixels, and the sensor size itself is smaller. We’ll have to wait until we can put it through its paces to see if it’s really a downgrade or not.

Speaking of the camera, Google has also included many of its popular features like Macro Focus, Add Me, Astrophotography, Night Sight, and much more. All features are available on the higher-end and more expensive Pixel 9 series.

An incredibly durable phone with IP68

Google is calling the Pixel 9a its most durable a-series phone yet. This is thanks to the metal frame and plastic back. The phone also has IP68 for water and dust proofing, though it lacks IP69. To be fair, few phones have IP69 so far, but the $200 Moto G Power does have it. Pixel 9a uses a good amount of recycled glass, aluminum, and plastic, making this phone much more environmentally friendly. In fact, the back cover is 81% recycled.

Along with the largest battery ever in a Pixel, the Pixel 9a also gets 7 years of updates. Making this a durable phone that can last you for many years. It launches with Android 15, and will likely get Android 16 this Summer. With 7 years of updates, this means it will get Android 22, possibly Android 23 depending on if Google changes its release schedule by then.

Google has the Pixel 9a on the Google Store right now, it starts at $499 for 128GB of storage. And will be available for purchase in April. Google offers the Pixel 9a in four colors: Iris, Peony, Obsidian, and Porcelain. All buyers will get 3 months of Google One, 3 months of YouTube Premium, and 6 months of Fitbit Premium with their purchase.

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