What happened and who this suits
Pixel 9a is Google’s mid ranger for 2025. It brings the same Tensor G4 as the flagship Pixel 9, a brighter 6.3-inch display, and a much bigger 5,100 mAh battery. It’s built for people who want clean Android, steady camera output, and seven years of updates at a saner price.
Price and variants (India)
- Price: ₹49,999 MRP
- Config: 8GB RAM + 256GB storage
- Colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony, Iris
- Where to buy: Google Store India and Flipkart, with rotating bank offers and no-cost EMI.
First sale date: April 16, 2025 in India, after the global reveal on March 19.
Key specs at a glance
- Display: 6.3-inch Actua pOLED, 120Hz, HDR 1,800 nits, peak 2,700 nits
- Chipset: Google Tensor G4 + Titan M2
- Memory/Storage: 8GB RAM; 256GB in India
- Rear cameras: 48MP wide with OIS + 13MP ultra-wide
- Front camera: 13MP
- Battery: 5,100 mAh; fast wired charging; Qi wireless
- OS: Android 15 at launch; 7 years OS, security, and Pixel Drops
- Durability: IP68; Gorilla Glass 3 cover; satin metal frame
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC; dual-SIM (nano + eSIM)
Design and build
You get a clean, matte design with a satin metal frame and a flush camera window. It’s IP68-rated and fairly light for its class at about 187 g (Google lists 6.6 oz; converted). The cover glass is Gorilla Glass 3, which is tough but can scratch use a protector.
Display and audio
The 6.3-inch Actua OLED runs at 120Hz and can hit 1,800-nit HDR and 2,700-nit peak in small highlights. Indoors it stays smooth and color-accurate; outdoors it remains legible in harsh sun. Stereo speakers are present and get loud enough for YouTube and reels. Note: several lab reviews flag low-frequency PWM, which may bother flicker-sensitive users at low brightness.
Performance and thermals
Tensor G4 handles everyday use, photos, and AI features like Circle to Search, Ask Photos edits, and Gemini Live without fuss. RAM and storage standards aren’t listed by Google; testing on the Pixel 9 series points to UFS 3.1, and leaks prior to launch mentioned LPDDR5X RAM. Under heavy gaming or long 4K recording, sustained performance steps down expected for this class.
Cameras with samples and notes
The main camera is 48MP with OIS; the ultra-wide is 13MP. Video goes up to 4K60 on the rear and 4K30 on the selfie camera. Google’s camera suite Night Sight, Long Exposure, Face Unblur, Best Take remains reliable. Portraits look natural without neon skin tones; low-light shots favor detail and dynamic range over heavy sharpening.
Short answer: Yes, Pixel 9a has OIS on the main camera and records 4K at up to 60 fps on the rear camera. The selfie camera records 4K30. You also get features like Night Sight, Long Exposure, and Best Take out of the box.
Battery and charging
The 5,100 mAh pack is the quiet hero. With mixed 5G, socials, camera, OTT, and maps, plan on a comfortable day and a half for light users, a full day for heavy users. Wired “fast charging” works best with Google’s 45W adapter, but the phone’s max rate is lower; reviews peg it around the low-20-watt mark. Qi wireless is supported. No charger in the box only a USB-C cable.
Snippet answer: In daily use, Pixel 9a’s 5,100 mAh battery routinely lasts a full day, and light users may stretch to a day and a half. Wired charging works best with Google’s 45W adapter, but the phone charges below that peak; wireless charging is supported via Qi.
Software and updates
Ships with Android 15 and Google commits to 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates. That’s rare at this price and a big part of the Pixel pitch.
Snippet answer: Pixel 9a will receive 7 years of Android OS upgrades, security patches, and Pixel Feature Drops from its first Google Store availability. It launched on Android 15.
Network and 5G bands
The global spec lists a wide set of LTE and 5G Sub-6 bands. In India, you’ll care about n1/n3/n5/n28/n41/n77/n78—covered by the hardware with availability depending on carrier provisioning. Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and dual-SIM (nano + eSIM) are on board. VoNR support depends on carrier rollout and has been inconsistent in India.
Snippet answer: Pixel 9a supports common India 5G bands including n3, n5, n28, n41, n77, n78 alongside others, plus Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Actual 5G and VoNR availability depends on your carrier and region.
SAR values (India)
Google lists Head SAR 1.06 W/kg and Body SAR 0.93 W/kg. These stay within India’s 1.6 W/kg limit (1g).
Rivals and comparisons
- OnePlus 13R: faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and much quicker charging; camera consistency trails Pixel; street price often ₹40–43k.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: bigger brand pull, solid cameras, brighter panel, frequent sale price near ₹35-40k; Exynos 2400e thermals vary.
- Nothing Phone 3a Pro: clean design, bright screen, light software, aggressive pricing near ₹30–32k; update term shorter than Pixel.
Quick take: If you value long updates and point-and-shoot camera reliability, the 9a makes sense. If you want raw speed and 30-minute top-ups, 13R is the better fit.
Should you buy it
- Buy it if: you want stock Android, long support, fuss-free cameras, IP68, and you can live without a bundled charger.
- Skip it if: you need 80–100W charging, sustained gaming performance, or you’re PWM-sensitive.
Full Specifications (India)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch Actua pOLED, 120Hz, HDR 1,800 nits, peak 2,700 nits; Gorilla Glass 3 cover |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G4 + Titan M2 |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB / 256GB in India (Google doesn’t state standards; series uses UFS 3.1; leaks suggested LPDDR5X) |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP wide with OIS, f/1.7, 1/2″ sensor; 13MP ultra-wide f/2.2 |
| Front Camera | 13MP, 4K30 |
| Video | Rear 4K30/60, 1080p30/60; features include Audio Magic Eraser, Macro Focus Video, Cinematic Pan |
| Battery | 5,100 mAh; wired fast charging; Qi wireless |
| In-box | Phone, USB-C to USB-C cable (USB 2.0), SIM tool; no charger |
| Software | Android 15; 7 years OS, security, Feature Drops |
| Connectivity | Dual-SIM (nano + eSIM), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C 3.2 |
| 5G/LTE bands | Broad Sub-6 set including n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n41/n66/n70/n71/n77/n78; LTE bands as per spec sheet |
| Build | Matte composite back, satin metal frame, IP68 |
| Dimensions/Weight | 154.7 × 73.3 × 8.9 mm, ~187 g |
Comparison table
| Phone | Price (street) | SoC | RAM/Storage | Main cam | Battery + Charging | Updates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 9a | ₹49,999 | Tensor G4 | 8/256 | 48MP OIS | 5,100 mAh, fast wired + Qi; no charger in box | 7 years OS/security |
| OnePlus 13R | ~₹41–43k | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | 12/256 | 50MP OIS | 6,000 mAh; very fast wired | 4 years OS, 5 years security |
| Galaxy S24 FE | ~₹35–40k | Exynos 2400e | 8/128–256 | 50MP OIS | 4,700 mAh; 25W | 5–7 years depending on policy year |
| Nothing Phone 3a Pro | ~₹30–32k | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | 8–12/128–256 | 50MP | 5,000 mAh; fast wired | Shorter than Pixel |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Seven years of updates and Pixel Drops
- Reliable camera with 4K60 and useful AI tools
- Big battery with real all-day endurance
- IP68 and dual-SIM with eSIM support
Cons
- No charger in the box
- Sustained performance dips under heavy load
- Low-frequency PWM may bother sensitive users
- UFS 3.1 storage isn’t the fastest in 2025
Quick Answer
What is the price of Google Pixel 9a in India?
Pixel 9a is priced at ₹49,999 in India, sold via the Google Store and Flipkart. The India retail configuration is 8GB RAM + 256GB storage, with colors including Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony, and Iris. Watch for bank offers and EMI deals during sales.
Does Google Pixel 9a have OIS and 4K video?
Yes. The main camera has OIS, and the rear camera records 4K at up to 60 fps. The selfie camera records 4K30. Pixel features like Night Sight, Long Exposure, and Best Take are preloaded.
How many 5G bands does Pixel 9a support?
Pixel 9a supports a broad Sub-6 5G band set, including n3, n5, n28, n41, n77, n78 used in India, among others. Actual availability and VoNR depend on your carrier and region.
How long does the battery last in daily use?
With a 5,100 mAh battery, expect a full day for heavy users and up to a day and a half for light users. Wired fast charging works best with Google’s 45W adapter; wireless charging is supported via Qi.
How many Android updates will it get?
Google promises 7 years of OS upgrades, security patches, and Pixel Feature Drops from first availability. Pixel 9a launched on Android 15.
Is a charger included in the box?
No. Google includes a USB-C to USB-C cable and a SIM tool. The 45W adapter is sold separately.
FAQs
Does Pixel 9a support dual SIM?
Yes. It supports dual-SIM using one nano-SIM and one eSIM.
Does Pixel 9a have a microSD slot?
No. Storage is not expandable via microSD.
What Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards does Pixel 9a support?
It supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, along with NFC and USB-C.
What are the SAR values for Pixel 9a in India?
Head SAR is 1.06 W/kg and body SAR is 0.93 W/kg (1 g). Both are within India’s 1.6 W/kg limit.
Source: Google Store
