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Pixel 9a

A

Aurelius

Supreme [H]ardness
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Mar 22, 2003
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As expected, Google introduced the Pixel 9a:

google-pixel-9a-social.jpg


The gist:

- 6.3-inch, 120Hz OLED
- Same Tensor G4 as in Pixel 9
- 48MP main camera and 12MP ultra-wide
- 128GB to 256GB of storage
- Big 5,100mAh battery
- $499 when it ships in April (part issues prevented an earlier launch)

My first thought: Google is demolishing the iPhone 16e right now. The 9a isn't as fast, but it's certainly fast enough, and in other key respects it's definitely better — camera system, display, battery, and of course the price. If I was in the market for a mid-range phone and could use any platform, I'd go straight to this. Also, I must admit that the Iris and Peony colors are spicy in an era when many phones (certainly budget phones) are shades of grey.
 
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I wonder if they'll give me a half decent trade in on a Pixel 7. For what my wife wants, this is perfect as her biggest gripe about the P7 is battery life.
 
Yeah, curious on trade-in amounts and whether I can use the recently sent 10% off code from Google for their store.
 
Some updates:

The Pixel 9a won't support Pixel Screenshots or Call Notes as it only has 8GB of RAM. Not a huge downside, but worth considering if you're the sort to ask "what was that table I liked on that one store a week ago?"

Also, it's using an older modem that doesn't support satellite SOS, so... don't count on it if you get lost on a hike, in other words.

Still, if the 9a reviews well it's going to be the mid-range phone to get in North America. The iPhone 16e isn't necessarily bad, it's just not well-balanced —- a fast CPU and solid design but underequipped in other respects. And Samsung's Galaxy A56 is just a shoulder-shrug. It won't be as fast as either the iPhone or Pixel, the camera system won't be as good, and the design is uninspired.
 
Let's face it. The human race has existed this long without satellite SOS, I'm sure we'll figure out a way to continue without it.
 
Might have got this if I didn't get the 8a last year. Bit more expensive than the 8a was then, though, so maybe not...
 
kirbyrj said:
Let's face it. The human race has existed this long without satellite SOS, I'm sure we'll figure out a way to continue without it.
Click to expand...
It's definitely not essential for most people; just something to think about if you frequently travel off-grid. So long as the cellular connectivity is fine it'll (hopefully) be a great phone.
 
Picked up a Pixel 8 Pro for 335 lightly used on Amazon and I have been incredibly happy with it. Runs apps, games and everything else flawlessly. I could see these selling for about the same I paid for my 8 Pro, second hand, in short order. You can't get a top of the line iPhone for less than a grand typically.
 
Nice. I'll pick one up in August after my current 7a promo credit runs its course. Should have any initial bugs ironed out by then.
 
So... I've actually had a Pixel 9a in my hands for several days.

IMG_1272.jpg


I'll be frank: it's awesome for the money and stomps on the iPhone 16e (outside of raw speed, that is). Better camera system. 120Hz display, mountains of battery life... and while the Tensor G4 was a bit underwhelming in the full-on Pixel 9 series, in the 9a it's very competitive. In fact, for most people I would have a hard time suggesting they buy a higher-end phone.
 
If anyone received an email from Google for a $100 coupon code towards the Pixel 9a that they will not use and are willing to donate, please let me know...thanks!
 
vegeta535 said:
Google Fi is selling the 9a for $300 atm fyi.
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Yes, but buy it through the Google Store, selecting Fi as your provider, especially if you have a trade, as the Fi site has terrible trade values. Same price, $299, at each, but Pixel 7 gets you $50 more at the Google Store ($140 vs $90).
 
SoRnMaN said:
Yes, but buy it through the Google Store, selecting Fi as your provider, especially if you have a trade, as the Fi site has terrible trade values. Same price, $299, at each, but Pixel 7 gets you $50 more at the Google Store ($140 vs $90).
Click to expand...
Ah ok.
 
None of the 10% off coupons work for the 9a. It says promo not available.
 
Got one with a pixel 3xl trade-in. Will get another one with $100 promo and do a trade-in with p7.
 
kyang357 said:
Got one with a pixel 3xl trade-in. Will get another one with $100 promo and do a trade-in with p7.
Click to expand...
It's wild to think that the budget Pixel today not only has the same screen size as a 3XL, but clobbers that flagship in virtually every other respect. For that matter, it makes me question why some people even consider brand new flagships.
 
Aurelius said:
It's wild to think that the budget Pixel today not only has the same screen size as a 3XL, but clobbers that flagship in virtually every other respect. For that matter, it makes me question why some people even consider brand new flagships.
Click to expand...
The original Pixel 3 lineup came out in 2018. It's literally 6.5 year old technology. In tech terms, a dinosaur. Of course the 9a clobbers it. Did you think all those 7 years of increments added up to nothing?

The fact people are still using a Pixel 3 is far more impressive (I'm personally still using a Pixel 3). It proves the opposite of what you are saying.

If it wasn't for a Huawei fucking up the design with crippling defects, I'd still be using my Nexus 6P. Battery life be damned. While it was still working, it was a damn good phone.
 
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Absalom said:
The original Pixel 3 lineup came out in 2018. It's literally 6.5 year old technology. In tech terms, a dinosaur. Of course the 9a clobbers it. Did you think all those 7 years of increments added up to nothing?

The fact people are still using a Pixel 3 is far more impressive (I'm personally still using a Pixel 3). It proves the opposite of what you are saying.

If it wasn't for a Huawei fucking up the design with crippling defects, I'd still be using my Nexus 6P. Battery life be damned. While it was still working, it was a damn good phone.
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Oh, I know it's nearly seven years old; it's more just recognizing the relentless march of progress. You do have a point that flagships can last longer, but we're now at the point where a mid-tier phone like the Pixel 9a makes me happy as an enthusiast who gravitates toward the high end.
 
bluestang said:
If anyone received an email from Google for a $100 coupon code towards the Pixel 9a that they will not use and are willing to donate, please let me know...thanks!
Click to expand...

Ordered a Pixel 9a 128GB in Peony (256GB not available in Peony) with $100 discount code my wife had in her Gmail. Had an old Samsung S9 forma $85 trade-in as well. $100 Google store credit come with the 9a right now as well.
 
kirbyrj said:
None of the 10% off coupons work for the 9a. It says promo not available.
Click to expand...
Interesting. On the 10% referral page (hence why I haven't posted any codes, but will provide via dm if requested), it just says:
Earn $50 in Google Store credit for each friend who buys a Pixel and they'll get 10% off a Pixel phone.
Click to expand...
Offer ends 7/1/25, limit of 10 codes, one code per referral.
Click to expand...
But this may be the breaker for the 9a:
Code Receivers will receive a discount that can be applied to the highest value Pixel phone in their cart at the time of checkout. This discount can be combined with other offers, but can't be used during certain peak times like Black Friday or new product launches.
Click to expand...
It may be the 'new product launches' that is catching the 9a.

But if anyone wants to try a code, message me and I will send you one.
 
bluestang said:
Ordered a Pixel 9a 128GB in Peony (256GB not available in Peony) with $100 discount code my wife had in her Gmail. Had an old Samsung S9 forma $85 trade-in as well. $100 Google store credit come with the 9a right now as well.
Click to expand...

After I got my $100 Google store credit from the above order, I got another one in Iris 256GB. Used the $100 discount code of mine, the $100 store credit, and $100 trade-in for the Pixel 4a. Will send in the one that they crippled with the "battery improvement update". The two "refurbished" (I say that because looked absolutely brand new when they came) Pixel 6a's we just got recently because of that 4a battery fiasco will go to my kids who are using our old Moto X4's right now.

Will get matching cases from Google store when this $100 store credit comes in.

If I get anymore discount codes I'll let you guys know.
 
I just fired it up yesterday, and my wife likes it as a replacement for her P7. So I guess that's a win for google and a win for me that I didn't hear her complain about it yet :D.
 
One thing that might prompt you to buy a higher-end model:

Google Fi just revamped its plans, and there's a limited-time promo that offers the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel Watch 3 together "on us." That is, you get a couple of instant credits ($300 off the Pro, $100 off the watch) and the rest of it back through bill credits over two years. There are also instant discounts for other phones if you're a Fi customer.

Obviously this won't help much if you're uninterested in Fi (or live outside of the US), but I'd seriously consider it even with the Pixel 10 series looming on the horizon.
 
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