Google Pixel 9a

At Rs. 151,999, the Pixel 9a is the most affordable way into Google's current Pixel experience. It shares the Tensor G4 with the Pixel 9 series, runs the same AI features, carries IP68 protection, has a 5100mAh battery and gets seven years of Android updates.

The compromises are a plastic back, Gorilla Glass 3, thick bezels, slow 23W charging with no charger in the box, average speakers and call audio, gaming performance below rivals, and only 8GB of RAM.

Verdict: good value for buyers who want clean software, a dependable camera and long support. The Pixel 8 Pro at Rs. 253,999 makes sense only if you want a telephoto camera and a bigger screen; for most people the 9a gives more years of use for much less.

The Pixel 9a has a 6.3-inch P-OLED screen with 1080 x 2424 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR, and up to 2700 nits peak brightness (1800 nits in high-brightness mode). It is far brighter than the Pixel 8a's and handles direct sunlight well; GSMArena measured it brighter than the Pixel 8 Pro.

It is close to the Pixel 9's screen in brightness and resolution, with slightly weaker contrast. 120Hz is off by default, so turn it on in the display settings for smoother scrolling and gaming.

Limitations: the bezels are noticeably thick for the price, and the front uses older Gorilla Glass 3 rather than the tougher glass on flagship Pixels.

The Google Tensor G4 is the same chip used in the Pixel 9 series, paired with 8GB of RAM. In daily use the interface is fast and fluid and apps open quickly, and GSMArena found performance stays consistent without significant thermal throttling, an improvement over earlier Pixels.

Most games run smoothly on the 1080p screen, but graphics power is well behind rivals: the iPhone 16e runs more than 40% ahead in real-world gaming, and GSMArena's results place the 9a below several mid-range competitors.

The other limit is memory: with 8GB of RAM, heavy multitasking can cause slowdowns.

The rear pairs a 48MP main camera (f/1.7, OIS) with a 13MP ultrawide, and the front has a 13MP ultrawide selfie camera. The main sensor is smaller than the Pixel 8a's, a trade-off for the nearly flat design.

Photos capture quickly with reliable autofocus, and Night Sight is still available for low light. Main-camera quality is solid for a mid-range phone. Zoom is weak: with no telephoto lens, shots at 8x lose a lot of detail.

The selfie camera can go wide for group shots, but it has no autofocus, so a face held close can look slightly soft. Video reaches 4K 60fps with OIS, yet it is not as clean as the iPhone 16e's, and the 9a lacks the Video Boost feature of higher Pixels.

The Pixel 9a has a 5100mAh battery, the largest in any Pixel when it launched and bigger than the Pixel 9 Pro XL's. In a two-hour mix of social media, YouTube and app use at 120Hz, it used only 14% of its charge, so a full day is easy. GSMArena's active-use test also put it ahead of the Pixel 8 Pro.

Charging is the weak point: 23W wired and 7.5W wireless without magnets, and no charger in the box, so a large battery takes a while to refill.

The phone launched with Android 15 and is upgradable to Android 16. The interface is clean and close to stock Android, with no bloatware, and Google promises seven years of Android updates plus Pixel Drop feature updates, delivered at the same time as its flagship Pixels.

It keeps almost every Pixel 9 software feature: Gemini, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Magic Editor, Add Me for group shots, Best Take, Circle to Search and Call Screening. The main missing camera feature is Video Boost.

Customisation is simpler than on Samsung or OnePlus phones but covers accent colours, icon shapes, lock screen shortcuts and clock styles.