Google Pixel 9a Will Reportedly Launch Sooner Than Usual
Google will permanently shift the Pixel A series release cycle to this new March timeframe, suggests the report.
by Nithya P Nair, Siddharth Suvarna · Gadgets 360Highlights
- Google Pixel 9a to go official earlier than usual
- Pixel 8a was launched in May 2024
- It could debut with Android 15
Google usually unveils its Pixel A-series smartphones at its annual Google I/O event in May every year. However, early reports indicate that Pixel 9a will hit shelves earlier than usual, with pre-orders starting mid-March 2025. The tech giant may permanently shift the A series launch cycle to the new March timeframe. Google launched the Pixel 9 family in August, about two months ahead of its usual October timeframe.
Android Headlines, citing multiple sources, reports that Google will start accepting pre-orders for the Pixel 9a around mid-March 2025. The handset will reportedly be available in stores before the end of that same month. Shipping will also start before the end of March next year. This launch timeline is two months early compared to previous Pixel A series announcements that took place around the Google I/O event in May.
Google May Continue Its Early Launch Trend
A March launch window seems possible as Google shifted the launch schedule of the rest of the Pixel 9 series by two months. The Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold were unveiled in August, bucking the traditional October release window.
The report further suggests that this early dates will be a permanent launch schedule for the Pixel A-series. This indicates that the purported Pixel 10a could be unveiled in March 2026.
Google's Pixel 9a is expected to feature flush rear camera housing dropping Google's signature camera visor design. It is said to come in porcelain (white), iris (blueish purple), obsidian (black), and peony (pink) shades.
The Pixel 8a successor could debut with Android 15 and get seven years of updates. It is expected to run on the Tensor G4 chipset.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
REVIEW
- Design: 9 / 10
- Display: 10 / 10
- Software: 10 / 10
- Performance: 8 / 10
- Battery Life: 8 / 10
- Camera: 9 / 10
- Value for Money: 8 / 10
Good
- Premium design
- Bright display
- Impressive AI features
- Quality rear cameras
- Long-term software commitment
- Video Boost works brilliantly
Bad
- Portrait mode needs work
- Average battery life
- 45W charger not available in India
Read detailed Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review
KEY SPECS
Display
6.80-inch
Front Camera
42-megapixel
Rear Camera
50-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel
RAM
16GB
Storage
256GB, 512GB
Battery Capacity
5060mAh
OS
Android 14
Resolution
1344x2992 pixels
Google Pixel 9 Pro
KEY SPECS
Display
6.30-inch
Front Camera
42-megapixel
Rear Camera
50-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel
RAM
16GB
Storage
256GB
Battery Capacity
4700mAh
OS
Android 14
Resolution
1280x2856 pixels
Google Pixel 9
REVIEW
- Design: 9 / 10
- Display: 9 / 10
- Software: 9 / 10
- Performance: 7 / 10
- Battery Life: 8 / 10
- Camera: 9 / 10
- Value for Money: 8 / 10
Good
- Flagship build and design
- Excellent display
- Great cameras
- Good battery life
- AI features are fun
Bad
- Processor is still not great
- Heats up
- No longer compact
Read detailed Google Pixel 9 review
KEY SPECS
Display
6.30-inch
Front Camera
10.5-megapixel
Rear Camera
50-megapixel + 48-megapixel
RAM
12GB
Storage
256GB
Battery Capacity
4700mAh
OS
Android 14
Resolution
1080x2424 pixels
Google Pixel 8a
REVIEW
- Design: 8 / 10
- Display: 8 / 10
- Software: 10 / 10
- Performance: 7 / 10
- Battery Life: 7 / 10
- Camera: 8 / 10
- Value for Money: 7 / 10
Good
- Compact IP67-rated design
- Timely software updates
- Pixel Feature Drops are worth the wait
- Impressive still camera performance
Bad
- Thick display bezel
- Gets very hot when using the camera
- Heating limits camera options
- Wired and wireless charging are slow
Read detailed Google Pixel 8a review
KEY SPECS
Display
6.10-inch
Front Camera
13-megapixel
Rear Camera
64-megapixel + 13-megapixel
RAM
8GB
Storage
128GB, 256GB
Battery Capacity
4492mAh
OS
Android 14
Resolution
1080x2400 pixels
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
KEY SPECS
Display (Primary)
8.00-inch
Processor
Google Tensor G4
Front Camera
10-megapixel + 10-megapixel
Rear Camera
48-megapixel + 10.5-megapixel + 10.8-megapixel
RAM
16GB
Storage
256GB
Battery Capacity
4650mAh
OS
Android 14
Resolution
2152x2076 pixels