IS GOOGLE'S BEST AND MOST AFFORDABLE SMARTPHONE GOOD ENOUGH?

The PIXEL 9A isn't trying to be the best at everything, like a blistering gaming performance. Instead, it focuses on delivering the things Google does best-software W smarts, photographic consistency and now, stellar endurancein a refined, keenly priced package

- Sahil Mohan Gupta

THE PIXEL 9A is Google's latest entrant into the bustling smartphone arena. Priced at a rather keen Rs 49,999, it lands smack-bang into the fiercely contested upper mid-range territory, a space crowded with contenders vying for your hard-earned rupees. Google's 'a'-series has always been about democratising the Pixel experience, offering a taste of that Google magic without requiring you to re-mortgage the ancestral home. But with the 9a, launching at a lower price point than its predecessor, the 8a, Google seems to be aiming for more than just a participation trophy. Is this, whisper it quietly, Google's best, most well-rounded phone yet for the savvy Indian buyer? Let's dive in.

Design & Display:

Picking up the Pixel 9a - I tested the rather fetching Iris (a lovely muted blue) and the classic Obsidian (black) - the first thing you notice is what isn't there: a hulking camera bump. Hallelujah! In an era where phones wobble on tables like unsteady tea cups thanks to their enormous camera islands, the 9a's flush back panel is a breath of fresh, minimalist air. It feels sleek, almost pebblelike, as it slides into your pocket. The build, with its satin aluminium frame and composite matte back, feels reassuringly solid, though perhaps not quite reaching the opulent levels of true flagships. It's understated, elegant, smart, functional, but maybe not designed to scream for attention.