Pixel 9A Rumor: We Expect Everything About Google Budget Phones, From Camera To Price

Rumors suggest that the Pixel 9A will arrive earlier this spring with its launch in March, rather than a scheduled release at the Google I/O developer conference in May, the annual event for the annual A-series phone debut.
We’ve also seen a lot of leaks and reports on what the budget phone looks like and what specifications it will have, from redesigned camera modules to improved battery life, and undoubtedly, many new AI features.
Here are all the latest rumors about the Pixel 9a and when it will be launched.
When will the pixel 9a come out?
According to Android headlines, as Google hits the launch of its flagship Pixel 9 lineup, instead of last October, we’ll likely see its budget phones appear soon too – likely in mid-March.
Given that Google essentially transforms I/O into a full-process session with little mention of hardware, it’s not surprising. Even last year, the Pixel 8A was unveiled a week before the company’s major event began.
How much does the pixel 9a cost?
According to Android headlines, the Pixel 9A will maintain a starting price of $499 for 128GB of storage. If you bump into 256GB of storage, you’ll reportedly pay $599.
Keeping the same price, especially with a budget phone, can be beneficial. But just starting from the heel of Apple’s iPhone 16e release, the release starts at a less friendly $599, and a lower starting price could put the Pixel 9a 9a footsteps.
What does pixel 9a look like?
According to the leak, the biggest change is the signature camera stick that loses pixels. Instead, Android’s headlines suggest that the 9A’s magnificent and super camera will be flush with the back of the phone.
The rendering of the Sudhanshu Ambhore on the X also showed a lower camera design, with the two lenses more cleverly positioning on the rear left of the device.
Google Pixel 9A rendering thread (no watermark) pic.twitter.com/wpfu6mtebe
– Sudhanshu Ambhore (@sudhanshu1414) February 17, 2025
The main camera will be reportedly 48 megapixels (down from 64 megapixels on the 8A), while the Ultrawide and selfie cameras can hold the 13 megapixel sensor. Megapixels aren’t everything, and it’s very likely that Google will improve its cameras this year (I mentioned the money for AI a lot of here).
The rendering shows another thing: what the new phone calls the color. It is reported that pixels 9a will appear in porcelain (white), obsidian (black), peony (pink) and iris (purple shades).
In videos claiming to display the Pixel 9a, the sides and back of the phone appear flat. The volume button also seems to be softer.
The new budget phone will likely have a larger 6.3-inch screen (compared to the Pixel 8a’s 6.1-inch display) and is slightly thinner than its predecessor.
The unboxing video released by YouTuber Sahil Karoul on Saturday seems to show the Pixel 9a in the Iris, which seems to confirm rumors about the phone’s general appearance – an adapted camera module and everything. Another mobile center video released Sunday also hopes to show the device in white, with a similar appearance.
Processor, AI features and battery
If Google sticks to scripts, its budget phone will share the same processor as its flagship device, meaning the Pixel 9a will be powered by a Tensor G4 chip, which can power the Pixel 9. But Android Authority reports that instead of using the same Exynos Modem 5400, the 9A will use the 5300 on the 9A in the Pixel 8 Series pixel 8 series. This might be a measure to make the price lower, but it could mean that without the satellite SOS capabilities of the flagship Pixel 9, Google’s budget device would have to do it, as this is powered by a 5400 modem.
On the other hand, the presence of the Tensor G4 chip means we may see AI features in the flagship Pixel 9 series on the 9A, such as Add Me and Pixel Studio. With Apple Smart Arriving on iPhone 16e and Galaxy AI being baked into the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, it’s almost a given now, even a budget phone will play the latest AI features.
Finally, Android headlines suggest that the Pixel 9A will be equipped with a 5,100-MAH battery, which will compare to the 8A’s 4,492-MAH battery. If the 9A ends up being slimmer than its predecessor, the battery life to boot is definitely the top cherry.
We have to see how many rumors form reality – and it seems we can know sooner.
Watch the following: iPhone 16e review