Top 5 Google Pixel 9 Features Missing from the Pixel 9a

Google has officially unveiled the Pixel 9a, the latest addition to its midrange lineup — and it’s looking like a serious contender. Priced at $500, the Pixel 9a packs in a Tensor G4 chip, a massive 5,100 mAh battery, and a durable plastic-aluminum hybrid build, making it an incredible deal on paper.

But while the 9a brings plenty of value, the flagship Pixel 9 still earns its higher $800 price tag thanks to a range of premium features that are absent from its budget sibling. If you’re debating whether to save or splurge, here are five key features exclusive to the Pixel 9 that could tip the scales:

Enhanced Premium Design

Google’s midrange Pixel devices have consistently featured plastic construction, and the Pixel 9a continues this trend. It boasts a plastic back with aluminum side rails, while the standard Pixel 9 showcases a sleek glass back and stainless steel side rails.

However, this doesn’t detract from the 9a’s appeal. AP’s Stephen Radochia had the opportunity to test the new midrange model and noted that it feels quite pleasant, thanks to a frosted texture on the plastic back that imparts a “premium look and feel.”

That said, the standard Pixel 9 offers a more upscale build with its glass and stainless steel materials. Additionally, the regular Pixel 9 features the distinctive pill-shaped camera bump, adding a touch of character that the 9a lacks.

Enhanced Cameras

The biggest visual distinction between the Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9a lies in their camera designs. The Pixel 9 features a prominent, thick, pill-shaped camera bar, while the cameras on the Pixel 9a sit nearly flush against the phone’s back. The Pixel 9’s robust camera bar accommodates superior camera technology compared to the 9a.

The Pixel 9 boasts a 50 MP f/1.7 main camera alongside a 48 MP f/1.7 ultrawide lens. In contrast, the new Pixel 9a is equipped with a 48 MP f/1.7 primary camera and a 13 MP f/2.2 ultrawide. While these specifications provide some insight, we will need to test the 9a’s cameras ourselves to fully understand their performance, but it’s clear that the standard Pixel 9 has the advantage.

Increased RAM

The Pixel 9 comes with 12 GB of RAM, a significant upgrade from the eight gigs found in the previous four generations of Pixel phones. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9a retains the 8 GB configuration. This amount of RAM is sufficient for most users, but the Pixel 9 clearly surpasses the 9a in this aspect.

This RAM difference also affects the on-device AI capabilities. The Pixel 9a utilizes the Gemini Nano XXS model, whereas the standard Pixel 9 is equipped with the more advanced Gemini Nano XS model. The Pixel 9’s enhanced on-device AI can handle multimodal inputs, while the 9a’s Gemini Nano XXS model is limited to processing text input only.

Faster Charging

While none of Google’s smartphones are known for exceptionally rapid charging compared to other flagship Android devices, the standard Pixel 9 does outperform the Pixel 9a in this area. The Pixel 9 supports wired charging at 27 watts and can handle wireless charging up to 15 watts, depending on the charger used. In contrast, the Pixel 9a is limited to a maximum of 23-watt wired charging and offers a peak wireless charging rate of 7.5 watts.

Ultrasonic Fingerprint Reader

Both the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro feature ultrasonic fingerprint sensors that utilize sound waves to read the surface of your fingertip. In comparison, the Pixel 9a is equipped with an optical fingerprint sensor that uses light to scan your fingertip’s surface. While the optical sensors in Pixel phones have always performed adequately, ultrasonic sensors provide faster and more precise readings. Although it’s a minor difference, the ultrasonic sensor in the standard Pixel 9 gives it a slight edge over the Pixel 9a.