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In need of a new smartphone that won't break the bank? Google just unwrapped its brand-new Pixel 9a, and it could be exactly what you're looking for.
Starting from £499, the newest addition to Google's lineup arrives with "the best battery life of any Pixel available today", the same speedy Tensor G4 chip found in the Pixel 9 — despite a £300 price difference, and access to the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities courtesy of Gemini.
Pixel 9a comes in four colourways: Obsidian (black), Porcelain (white), Peony (pink), and Iris (purple).
There's no precise UK release date confirmed for the Pixel 9a yet. Google says it expects the affordable Android handset to arrive sometime in April, with preorders expected to open soon. At launch, Google will offer an entry-level model with 128GB of built-in storage for £499, or a larger 256GB model at £599.
The Android device will be available from the Google Store, Amazon, Currys and other retailers. Major UK networks including EE, O2, Vodafone, and Sky Mobile are expected to offer the device on pay monthly plans.
If you're front of the queue to preorder the Pixel 9a, Google will throw-in some extras: three months of Google One cloud storage, three months of YouTube Premium (its rival to Spotify), and six months of Fitbit Premium.
Pixel 9a shakes-up the industrial design that's characterised recent Google Pixel devices — ditching the horizontal camera bar that runs across the width of the device for a small cut-out in the top left-corner
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Out of the box, the most striking change in the Pixel 9a is the removal of the distinctive bar-like camera design that had become a trademark of Google smartphones in recent years. Instead of a visor-like design that runs the width of the handset, this new model sports a flat back panel with a minimal camera bump in one corner.
This sleek redesign allows the phone to lay flat on surfaces without wobbling — a rarity in modern smartphones.
Rather than leaving the camera lenses to protude from the device, Google opted to squeeze-in additionl battery to create the flat profile. Filling the space allowed for a large 5,100mAh battery — a serious upgrade from 4,492mAh cell found inside the Pixel 8a launched last year.
According to Google, this beefy battery enables over 30-hours of regular use. But that stretches to a mind-boggling 100 hours when you switch-on its Extreme Battery Saver mode, the Californian company states.
Google Pixel 9a ships in four fresh finishes — Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony, and Iris
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That redesigned camera system contains a 48MP main camera, which might seem like a downgrade from the mammoth 64MP sensor found inside its predecessor, but Google says it's "almost the same" as the camera found inside its ultra-premium £1,799 Pixel 9 Pro Fold. That main camera has been paired with a 13MP ultrawide camera that now includes Macro Focus for detailed close-up photography.
Best Take is an AI-powered feature that's exclusive to Google Pixel phones and lets you craft the perfect group photos by swapping facial expressions — so you don't need to throw-out a great shot because someone closed their eyes when the snap was taken
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The phone comes loaded with AI-powered photography features including Add Me, which lets photographers add themselves to group shots by digitally stitching together two separate shots. Other AI tools include Best Take for creating perfect group photos and Night Sight for low-light photography.
Magic Editor in Google Photos makes Photoshop-esque edits effortless. Powered by AI, these tools let you change the background, move objects, resize elements in the image, and more with just a few taps. You can also use generative AI to add new elements — like a sunset, pets, or fireworks — into your pictures by simply describing what you'd like to see in the new-and-improved photo.
The Pixel lineup has always been known for its photography chops, and that trend looks to continue with Pixel 9a.
Pixel 9a arrives with improved durability, with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. That means it can be submerged in fresh water to a maximum depth of 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes — so there's no need to worry about being caught in the rain or accidentally spilling your drink on this new Google phone
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On the front, Google has fitted a 6.3-inch touchscreen display. That's slightly larger than the 6.1-inch screen found on the Pixel 8a, offering more real estate for browsing the web, scrolling social media, or watching boxsets.
The Actua display boasts an impressive 2,700 nits peak brightness, which Google claims is 35% brighter than the Pixel 8a. The screen features a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate that adjusts between 60Hz and 120Hz depending on what you're doing, ensuring smooth scrolling while preserving battery life.
Google has also improved the display's durability with scratch-resistant glass, making it more resilient to everyday wear and tear. Of course, we'll need to take delivery of the Pixel 9a to test those claims.
Gemini Live is Google’s real-time AI assistant, enabling a natural conversation with the AI helper. Google has built-in contextual awareness, so you can refer to earlier parts of the conversation — and Gemini will know what you're talking about, rather than each voice command starting afresh
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Pixel 9a ships with Android 15 out of the box, offering Google's latest operating system experience from day one. That means you'll unlock features like Theft Detection Lock, which works out if your phone has been snatched from your hand and locks the screen — preventing thieves from getting into the device.
Like the more expensive Pixel 9 models, it comes with Google's AI assistant Gemini built-in, including Gemini Live for natural conversations as if speaking to a real person.
Google has promised seven years of Android OS, security updates and Pixel Drop feature additions for the 9a. This means the phone will receive support until 2032, ensuring it stays current with the latest software innovations and security protections.
The extended support period matches Samsung's policy and exceeds Apple's typical five to seven years of iPhone updates. Compared to those rivals, the Pixel 9a offers exceptional value at £499 — undercutting the newly launched iPhone 16e from Apple, which starts from £599.
While the newest mid-range devices from Samsung, theGalaxy A56 and Galaxy A36, start from a lower price point of £399, the Pixel 9a boasts a more powerful processor and superior camera capabilities on paper. It's been a busy few weeks for affordable phone launches, with British start-up Nothing debuting its Phone 3a at £329.
Google Pixel 9a starts from £499, rising to £599 for those who want the maximum amount of built-in storage (256GB), and will release sometime in April
GOOGLE PRESS OFFICE
According to Google, its Pixel 9a is the only smartphone featuring Gemini Nano AI at under £500, giving it a technological edge over similarly priced competitors. For those who don't know, Gemini Nano is Google's lightweight AI model designed for on-device tasks, enabling advanced AI features like text generation and smart assistance without relying on cloud processing, enhancing privacy, speed, and efficiency.
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With its improved durability — Pixel 9a is rated IP68 against water and dust resistance, 100-hour battery life, camera performance, AI tricks, and promised seven years of software support, on paper, the latest Android handset from Google makes a compelling case as the best mid-range phone of 2025.
Order the Phone 3a from British startup Nothing
Order the brand-new Phone 3a from Nothing's online store and unlock 10% off audio products and 40% off accessories at checkout. At £329, this Android phone from the award-winning London team hopes to challenge more established brands. Powered by the latest version of Android and with its striking Glyph Interface to silently communicate what's happening on-screen, the Nothing Phone 3a is sure to turn heads
Nothing Phone 3a
$329
