I'll admit: initially, I wasn't sold on the Pixel 9a's new hardware and design. The bezels are noticeably thick by today's standards – even when compared to similarly priced devices like the $459 Nothing Phone 3a Pro and $399 Samsung Galaxy A36 5G – and removing the Pixel-famous camera bar was a choice.

The Google Pixel 9a is the company’s latest budget smartphone. We’ve already compared it to a range of smartphones, including the Pixel 9 Pro. Well, in this article, we’ll do the same with the larger Google flagship.

The Google Pixel 9a continues the tradition of A-series phones offering excellent value for money -- but competition is growing.