The Google Pixel 9a Doesn’t Have a Camera Ba...

In 2021, Google launched the “digital camera bar” to its lineup of Pixel telephones. The thought behind placing an enormous bump alongside your entire width of the cellphone’s rear was ostensibly to offer the digital camera’s lenses extra space, however actually, it was as a lot a advertising and marketing transfer as a sensible one: Whereas different telephones proceed to make do exactly nice with a small sq. within the nook, the digital camera bar offers Pixels a singular look that Google acknowledges is a “trademark of the lineup.”

Sadly for the search big, it’s a nasty trademark. I hate it.

A lot to the chagrin of my pockets and purses, virtually each Pixel Google has launched because the 6 has had a digital camera bar in some type. It traps mud, it offers instances an unsightly hump, and it makes it more durable to carry the cellphone in a single hand or in panorama mode.

Fortunately, after years of Google’s strict adherence to the digital camera bar, there’s lastly an choice for folks like me. Earlier this 12 months, Google launched its budget-oriented Pixel 9a, the primary cellphone from the corporate to omit the digital camera bar since its debut mannequin. That instantly made it my favourite Google cellphone you should buy proper now, and even with the Pixel 10 on the horizon, it seems prefer it’s going to be related for years to return.

How does the Pixel 9a evaluate to the Pixel 9?

Google Pixel 9a in numerous colours
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt

Each spring, Google releases an “a” mannequin of its most up-to-date Pixels, reducing a couple of specs and slashing the worth to match. I’ve usually been pretty impressed with these devices—their compromises are largely onerous to identify, they usually largely present the identical general expertise as their forebears. Nonetheless, I’ve been hesitant to declare these variations a more sensible choice than the complete fashions, till now.

The Pixel 9a is nearly neck-and-neck with the Pixel 9, and due to the redesigned digital camera, I’d say it’s much less of a strict downgrade and extra of another choice with completely different priorities.

It has the identical processor because the Pixel 9 (the Google Tensor G4), the identical dimension display screen (6.3-inches), the identical max refresh price (120Hz), and is definitely slightly lighter and has a barely bigger battery. It’s obtained much less reminiscence, sure, and fewer megapixels on the digital camera, however in the event you largely use your cellphone for web-based apps, it is going to be primarily provide you an identical capabilities as another Pixel 9, proper right down to Audio Eraser and different Pixel-exclusive software program.

If not for its lack of a digital camera bar, I may in all probability hand you a 9a and inform you it was a 9, and also you’d go for months with out noticing the distinction.

Why the digital camera bar hate?

Google Pixel 9 from the again
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt

I’ve obtained a couple of points with the Pixel digital camera bar, though lots of them would possibly sound like nitpicks, relying in your tastes. It makes Pixels a bit more durable to suit into a decent pocket or a small bag, and I believe it makes them much less snug to carry horizontally, which could be a ache for players. The perimeters may also be a little bit of a mud magnet, no less than in the event you put a case on it, and the digital camera bar is thick sufficient that it’s onerous to put a Pixel down fully flat.

However for me, the actual concern is that it’s ugly. That’s extremely subjective, I’ll admit, nevertheless it’s a standard sufficient grievance that Google has made pains to defend the digital camera bump. How dangerous it’s varies from cellphone to cellphone, however on the bottom Pixel 9, it’s a 3rd as thick because the cellphone itself. That’s some nasty work, and in the event you’re like me, it’s fairly self-evident why you would possibly choose an alternate.

How does the Pixel 9a’s digital camera maintain up?

That’s why I used to be so joyful once I noticed that the Pixel 9a removed the digital camera bump in favor of an almost flush tablet in one of many corners. It’s unobtrusive, straightforward to suit a case round, and much sufficient out of the way in which that the Pixel 9a lays fully flat when positioned on its rear. It’s just like the digital camera cutout on an iPhone or Galaxy, however smaller.

To be truthful, the change does include some caveats. Whereas the common Pixel 9’s digital camera has a 50 MP vast lens and a 48 MP ultrawide lens, the Pixel 9a solely has a 48MP vast lens and a 13 MP ultrawide lens. However right here’s my sizzling take: You’re shopping for a cellphone, not a digital camera. Whereas most of us have changed devoted cameras with our smartphones, it’s price contemplating whether or not you’re the kind of one who wants absolutely the prettiest photos always, or in the event you’d choose a much less unwieldy gadget with a smaller price ticket. Whereas I do suppose you’ll be able to spot a gentle distinction between the 9 and 9a’s photographs, for informal photographers, the 9a ought to nonetheless maintain up simply nice.

Right here’s a couple of examples of Pixel 9a photographs, from numerous distances and in several lighting situations:

Pictures taken on the Pixel 9a
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt

And the identical, however for the common Pixel 9:

Pictures taken on the Pixel 9
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt

Isn’t the Pixel 10 popping out quickly?

Even when I’ve satisfied you on the Pixel 9a over the 9, there’s an elephant within the room—the Pixel 10 is set to come out later this month. Nevertheless, as Google has formally revealed, it’s still going to have a camera bar, and a reasonably thick-looking one at that.

I hoped that the 9a was an indication of issues to return for Google’s non-budget telephones, however alas. When you’re a fellow digital camera bar hater, the Pixel 9a goes to stay a related choice for you lengthy after the bottom Pixel 10 launch, particularly as a result of the 10a probably received’t come out till subsequent 12 months, if historic precedent stands.

It appears the Pixel 9a would possibly even be a good choice in the event you’re an iPhone fan, as leaks have lately urged the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max could be getting their very own elongated digital camera bump, though the trustworthiness of these rumors continues to be up within the air.

No matter your preferences, the Pixel 9a is a rattling good piece of equipment for $500, a giant low cost from the $800 Pixel 9. When you largely use your cellphone for calls, texting, and the web, it’s not only a good compromise—it is the very best Google cellphone you should buy.