Google Pixel 9a

Quite simply the best mid-range phone around, with useful AI features, long battery life and excellent cameras

- JOHN VELASCO

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.

Quite the display

The Pixel 9a's 6.3in OLED screen is gorgeous, with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that makes animations fluid in a way that the iPhone 16e's 60Hz panel can't match. Even more impressive is its stunning peak brightness of 2,076cd/m²; no other mid-range phone comes close. Colour coverage is terrific, too, with 94% of the DCI-P3 gamut in play.

On the back, the dual camera array feels positively liberating in comparison to the iPhone 16e's single sensor. The main 48MP camera has a wide f/1.7 aperture that produces bright, clean images, while the separate 13MP ultrawide lets you effortlessly take in more of the scene.

Shots taken on the main camera compare favourably to those on the iPhone 16e. Detail levels are similar - which is to say, very good - but shots from the Pixel looked more natural in tone, while the iPhone tended to oversaturate reds and oranges.