Google Pixel 9a
Quite simply the best mid-range phone around, with useful AI features, long battery life and excellent cameras
SCORE
PRICE
128GB, £416 (£499 inc VAT)
from store.google.com
For a long time Google was untouchable when it came to mid-price phones, but recent newcomers such as the £449 Nothing Phone 3a Pro (see issue 368, p76) and Apple’s £599 iPhone 16e (see issue 368, p72) have put it under pressure. But not for long. Google reclaims the crown thanks to powerful AI features and competitive pricing.
The Pixel 9a comes in four chic colours – Iris, Obsidian, Peony and Porcelain – although it lacks the character of previous models. That’s because Google has replaced the distinctive camera bar with a smaller, more conventional bump. You may appreciate the simpler look, but I miss such a key part of the Pixel’s identity.
Other changes are subjective, too, such as the flat sides and rounded corners; if it weren’t for the dual cameras on the back, the Pixel 9a would look an awful lot like the iPhone 16e. On the plus side, it isn’t as sharp around the edges, so it’s nicer to hold, and its aluminium frame and composite matte casing feel solid. One more big positive: an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.