The Google Pixel 9a is set to launch on March 19, with a release date of March 26. Exclusive renders show the device will come in four colors: black (Obsidian), white (Porcelain), pink (Peony), and purple (Iris). The Pixel 9a will feature a flat camera bump, a departure from the design of the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup.
The camera will be flush with the back of the phone, making it one of the few smartphones that can lay flat on a table. The device will be slightly larger than its predecessor, with dimensions of 154 x 73 x 8.9mm. This is partially due to a major battery capacity increase to 5,100mAh, the largest battery ever put into a Pixel phone.
Despite the larger battery, charging speeds remain at 23W wired and 7.5W wireless. Google has revamped the camera system for the Pixel 9a.
New Pixel 9a battery capacity
The company is replacing the 64-megapixel main sensor with a new 48-megapixel sensor, which has an f/1.7 aperture and a 1/2″ sensor size. The ultrawide camera remains a 13-megapixel sensor, along with a 13-megapixel front-facing camera. However, Google has not added a telephoto lens in place of the ultrawide.
Pre-orders for the Pixel 9a will open on March 19, with prices starting at $499 for the base 128GB model and $599 for the 256GB version. The budget phone will likely face competition from Apple’s fourth iPhone SE. Past rumors have suggested the Pixel 9a will feature a 6.3-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, a Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM.
The 256GB model will apparently be the highest storage option available. As the launch date approaches, more details about the Pixel 9a are expected to emerge. The device is shaping up to be a strong contender for the best smartphone under $500, even with the upcoming iPhone SE.
Image Credits: Photo by Daniel Romero on Unsplash
