Affordable phone with no camera bump? This could be it

By Bryan M. Wolfe Published February 12, 2025

Google Pixel 9a renders. — Android Headlines

It has been a busy week for news regarding the Google Pixel 9a. More information about its design surfaced just days after the likely colors for the new budget phone leaked.

In exclusive news, Android Headlines has released official renders of the new phone, which is expected to be announced on Wednesday, February 17 in just one week. The images reveal that the rear camera system on the Pixel 9a is designed to be flush with the back of the phone. This contrasts with the other Google Pixel 9 series models, such as the Pixel Pro XL, which feature a protruding camera bar.

Recommended Videos

The new phone’s rear camera system is expected to feature a 48-megapixel primary sensor and 13-megapixel ultrawide. The front-facing camera is also 13-megapixels.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The Pixel 9a will be available in four colors: Peony, Iris, Obsidian, and Porcelain, similar to the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup. This phone is expected to be slightly larger than the Pixel 8a due to its increased battery size, which will offer a capacity of 5,100mAh. Notably, this battery capacity will be the largest ever for a Pixel phone, surpassing even that of the newly released Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Google Pixel 9a renders. — Android Headlines

Google is anticipated to price its most affordable Pixel model at $499 for the 128GB version, while an additional $100 will upgrade the storage to 256GB. The Pixel 9a is expected to hit the market soon, coinciding with the arrival of the next-generation iPhone SE. This new iPhone, which has not been updated in three years, will likely feature a 6.1-inch display for the first time, matching the size of the Pixel 9a’s display.

Topics

Mobile and A/V Freelancer

Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.

Mobile

Google Messages could soon let you watch YouTube right in the chat

Google messages versus samsung messages app icons side by side on Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Google looks like it’s getting ready to bring back a fan-favorite feature in its Messages app: the YouTube miniplayer. After quietly pulling the plug on it last year, the company seems to be rethinking things, aiming for a smoother way to share and watch videos right inside your chats.

Mobile

The Google Pixel 9a is missing a crucial life-saving feature

Person holds Pixel 9a in hand while sitting in a car.

Launched earlier this week, the Pixel 9a packs Pixel 9's magic in a condensed, more affordable form. With a lower price, though, the Pixel 9a loses some perks of the more premium Pixel 9 phones, including some defining Gemini AI features.

Despite running the same Tensor G4 chipset as the Pixel 9 and the 9 Pro, the Pixel 9a loses on a life-saving feature: satellite-based SOS functionality. Google confirmed the lack to Android Authority, validating you won't be able to call or text in cases you get stranded without network -- as you would be able to with the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and the 9 Pro Fold phones. Google offers these services on premium Pixel phones in the U.S., Canada, UK, and parts of Europe.
Why Pixel 9a lacks satellite SOS connectivity
The reason behind Google skipping satellite connectivity from the Pixel 9a is an older modem. Unlike the Pixel 9 series, which uses the newer and more advanced Samsung Exynos 5400 modem, the 9a uses the previous generation Exynos 5300. The newer modem is what enables 5G non-terrestrial networking (NTN) that is used to connect with low-orbit communication satellites when cellular network is absent.

Mobile

Does the Google Pixel 9a have wireless charging?

Pixel 9a display

Google has just released the Pixel 9a, giving some people who are shopping for the Pixel 9 another phone in the series that best fits their budget. It comes in four beautiful matte colors -- Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris and Peony -- and runs on the Tensor G4 processor, ensuring your phone receives the most optimal performance. It has a flatter camera frame than the premium models, trimming its weight and giving it an eye-catching design. It costs between $499 and $599, depending on whether you buy the 128GB model or the 256GB model, respectively. No matter what model you get, it runs on 8GB of RAM and brings you optimal performance with Google's Tensor G4 processor.

If you're in the market for a new phone and are looking to get the Pixel 9a, you might be wondering if it has wireless charging capabilities. Most smartphones on the market are able to fill their batteries through wireless charging. Is the Pixel 9a any different simply because it's a budget Pixel phone? The answer will have you decide if it's worth the money.
Does the Google Pixel 9a have wireless charging?
The Pixel 9a has wireless charging, but it's not as powerful as its premium counterparts. It only draws 7.5 watts of wireless charging power, which is similar to that of the Pixel 8a, despite it having a bigger 5,100mAh battery than the Pixel 9's 4,700mAh.