Google Pixel 9a: the best bargain smartphone

The Pixel 9a makes a strong case for itself. It takes the standout features of Google’s flagship Pixel 9 (£599.99, Very.co.uk) and Pixel 9 Pro (£999, Amazon.co.uk), trims down the excess, and packages them into a more affordable handset priced at £499. To keep costs down, Google has opted for more budget-friendly materials, thicker bezels, and a simplified dual-camera setup. Despite these cutbacks, the phone still delivers the clean Android experience, AI-powered photo tools, and the excellent image processing Google is known for.

Google has largely nailed the balance when choosing which premium features to scale back. The Pixel 9a isn’t just a worthy upgrade from last year’s Pixel 8a—it’s a new benchmark for what a mid-range phone can offer. And at under £500, it’s a rare find in today’s increasingly pricey smartphone market.

Impressively, the Pixel 9a includes Google’s latest Tensor G4 chip—the same processor found in its high-end siblings. Performance is snappy and closely matches that of the flagship models. It also boasts a substantial 5,100mAh battery, giving it better endurance than both the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. Google promises up to 30 hours on a single charge, and in real-world use, that claim holds up.

This year, the Pixel 9a stands out as an easy recommendation—even over its premium counterparts. Unlike the Pixel 8a, which launched just as the Pixel 8 saw major discounts, the 9a hits the market with a clearer edge. The price gap has widened, and the A-series model has closed in on the flagships in terms of performance, camera quality, and features—making it one of the best value smartphones you can buy right now.