The Google Pixel 9 may not have the Android version you expected

By Christine Romero-Chan Published July 31, 2024

Official teaser of the Google Pixel 9 Pro. — Google

Google’s holding its next big event on August 13, where we expect to see the new Google Pixel 9 lineup, including the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and other goodies. But Google may end up doing something very odd, considering the timing of the event. The Pixel 9 series may not ship with Android 15, breaking a longstanding tradition.

In the past several years, Google has always launched the newest Pixel phone with the newest version of Android, which only makes sense considering Google creates both the hardware and software. In 2021, the Pixel 6 series launched with Android 12. Then, the Pixel 7 launched with Android 13, and last year, the Pixel 8 launched with Android 14.

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The Pixel 9, however, looks like it could break the chain. According to a report from Android Headlines, the Pixel 9 will launch with Android 14 out of the box. This would be the first time that a new Pixel phone would ship without the newest version of Android.

Currently, Android 15 is in the fourth beta phase, which is the last beta update we’re expecting before the final release. Theoretically, this should mean that Android 15 could be dropping any day now, and with the Made by Google event being on August 13, we’ve assumed it would be shipping with the Pixel 9 devices.

Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Previous years have shown that Google has a varying release schedule between hardware and software. Android 12 launched in October 2021, Android 13 came out in August 2022, and Android 14 dropped in October last year.

This hasn’t usually been an issue since Google launched phones in October, but this year, we’re getting new Pixels two months earlier than usual. This definitely complicates the software release schedule a bit.

Another complication that can arise from this is Google’s promised seven years of software updates. The seven-year guarantee kicks in the moment the device is available on the Google Store. With an August 2024 launch, the Pixel 9 should be supported until August 2031. If we follow the current software release cycle, Google should be working on Android 22 in seven years (from Android 15).

Of course, Google could accelerate or even slow down the software release cycle timeline in the future to adjust for the seven years of support. Or perhaps it could make an exception to this unique case with the Pixel 9.

We really hope that this isn’t the case, but we don’t have much longer before we find out. Google’s Made by Google event will be on August 13, 2024.

Christine Romero-Chan

Former Staff Writer, Mobile

Christine Romero-Chan has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade. She graduated from California…

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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.

Mobile

Does the Google Pixel 9a have a 120Hz screen?

Pixel 9a display

The Google Pixel 9a is a mid-range device with few compromises, and it promises to offer one of the best values of any phone. The handset has a lot of changes: Google ditched the camera bump, installed a new processor, and increased the screen size, all without increasing the price.

With Apple's "midrange" device releasing not long ago in the form of the Apple iPhone 16e, it's easy to draw comparisons between the two. The Google Pixel 9a is a more affordable device, and it beats the iPhone 16e in multiple ways.
Does the Google Pixel 9a have a 120Hz screen?
Yes, the Pixel 9a supports refresh rates between 60 and 120Hz. Its screen has a resolution of 1080 x 2424 with just over 422 pixels per inch (PPI) and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The display reaches a peak brightness of 2,700 nits — more than enough to comfortably use even in direct sunlight — and up to 1,800 nits with HDR enabled.