Google Pixel 9a early reviews: Is this the new mid-range mobile to beat?

We've been waiting for this one: The new Google Pixel 9a smartphone has officially landed, and early reviewers are (mostly) praising this affordable smartphone.

Mashable's own review will be going online early next week (we're still evaluating the phone's feature set and cameras), but we wanted to round up the early reviews for early adopters who just can't wait.

With tariffs predicted to lead to higher prices for electronics like mobile phones, we wouldn't be surprised if mid-range smartphones like this become more popular in the months ahead. Sure, the teens may be addicted to their iPhones, but in Android land, you can find quite a few affordable smartphones.

So, let's recap the phone's specs and then dive into the Google Pixel 9a early reviews...

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Credit: Google

Google Pixel 9a

$499 at Google

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Google Pixel 9a specs:

No more camera bump... Credit: Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

• Display: 6.3-inch scratch-resistant Actua display

• Processor: Google Tensor G4 processor

• Resolution: 1080 x 2424 pOLED, HDR support

• Camera: 48 MP main camera, 13 MP ultra-wide camera

• Colors: Iris, Peony, Porcelain, Obsidian

• Battery life: 30 hours

• Storage: 128-256GB

• Size: 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches

Google Pixel 9a: The early reviews

What are the early reviewers saying so far? Over at Tom's Guide, reviewer John Velasco calls this the new phone to beat for $500. Overall, most reviews agree with that assessment, though some reviewers do complain about a wonky zoom and average camera quality. On the plus side, the new Pixel 9a has an improved design, battery, and display. Plus, most reviewers confirm the camera is good enough for the $499 price tag.

CNN Underscored’s Mike Andronico has a rave review, with a headline that states, “I used the Google Pixel 9a for a week and I’m shocked how good this $500 phone is.” CNN Underscored can be a bit… overenthusiastic in its product assessments, so we might take that headline with a grain of salt. Still, it’s a very positive review of a mid-range smartphone (though, they note the camera leaves something to be desired).

Over in Australia, Channel News praises the Pixel 9a for offering flagship features at a more affordable price. The outlet reports that the phone’s standout features include a good-quality camera and a “stunning display.” In particular, they praise the phone for its 120hz refresh rate and 2,700 nits of brightness.

The Guardian and Consumer Technology Editor Samuel Gibbs have another very positive review, claiming this is the “best bang for your buck in Android phones.” Gibbs says it compares favorably to Google’s flagship Pixel smartphones, as well as the Samsung Galaxy A56 and Nothing Phone 3a Pro.

IGN has one of the few negative reviews of the Pixel 9a, and even “negative” is a bit of a stretch. Neutral, might be a better adjective here, as their reviewer calls it “Not bad. Not the best value either. Ultimately, IGN states the phone isn’t much better than similarly priced alternatives like the OnePlus 13R. 

Business Standard says the Pixel 9a strikes the right balance “between flagship-grade features and an accessible price point.” The review praised its impressive battery and the new redesign — and the accessible price, of course.

What are customers saying? On the Ars Technica OpenForum, one user calls out the phone for being “light on AI” features. And over on Reddit, one of the most popular user reviews concludes that the new phone really does feel more like a flagship than a middle-of-the-road phone. It has the same processor as the pricier Pixel 9, and the performance offers a much better overall value in this price range.

Once again, check back next week for Mashable's in-depth review of the new Pixel 9a smartphone from Google. In the meantime, you can purchase the new phone from the Google Store.