Following a multitude of leaks, Google has officially unveiled the Pixel 9a. It’s likely that you’re reading this article to learn about how the 9a stacks up against its predecessor. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place, and the comparison is quite favorable.

Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a

To begin with, the Pixel 9a boasts a new design. Rather than adopting the design language of Google’s more expensive devices, the new phone has its own distinct identity. The divisive camera bar that has characterized recent Pixel phones is gone, and the main camera module is now nearly flush with the rear of the phone. Additionally, the new handset offers slightly improved ingress protection, with an IP68 certification against water and dust, which is an upgrade from the IP67 rating of the 8a. The Pixel 9a will also be available in two new colors: Iris and Peony. Unfortunately, Google won’t be offering an Aloe color option this time around, at least not at launch.

Apart from these changes, the 9a features a larger 6.3-inch display. Similar to the 8a, Google has opted for a FHD panel, which means the 9a’s screen is slightly less dense due to its larger size. However, the 9a’s display is superior. The pOLED panel is capable of reaching a peak brightness of 2,700 nits, up from 2,000 nits on the 8a, and it’s also HDR10+ certified with a 120Hz refresh rate. The increased brightness will make it easier to view the 9a’s screen in bright sunlight.

Internally, the 9a is equipped with Google’s latest Tensor G4 SoC, paired with 8GB of RAM. Google has also fitted the 9a with a larger 5,100mAh battery, which is an upgrade from the 4,492mAh battery in the 8a. Furthermore, the 9a supports faster 23W charging, which is an improvement over the 8a’s 18W charging. Although it’s still slower than some devices, such as the Nothing 3a Pro, which supports 50W charging, it’s a step in the right direction. If you were hoping for Qi2 support, unfortunately, the 9a is limited to 7.5W wireless charging.

In terms of cameras, Google hasn’t deviated from its successful formula. The 9a features a 48MP main camera with an f/1.7 lens and optical image stabilization (OIS). Although this may seem like a downgrade from the 8a’s 64MP main sensor on paper, both cameras have a 0.8µm pixel pitch, which means they can capture the same amount of light. It appears that Google has sourced a newer sensor for the 9a. Otherwise, the Pixel 9a seems to have the same ultrawide and selfie cameras as its predecessor. As always, when you purchase a Pixel phone, you’re investing in Google’s computational photography features, and you get all the usual standout features like Night Sight, Best Take, and more.

Pixel 9a vs iPhone 16e and Nothing 3a Pro

The iPhone 16e continues to be puzzling since its announcement in February. At $599, it’s $100 more expensive than the Pixel 9a, and when comparing the two based on hardware alone, Google’s new midrange phone is the better deal. You get a significantly larger battery, a 120Hz display, and an additional camera. However, whether you should choose the 9a over the 16e ultimately depends on your preference for Android over iOS. If you prefer Apple’s software, the Pixel 9a won’t be the best choice for you.

The more intriguing comparison is between the 9a and Nothing’s new Phone 3a Pro. For $40 less, you get an even bigger screen, a more original design, and, most notably, a periscope camera that offers 3x optical zoom. A high-quality telephoto camera is hard to find at this price range, so the 3a Pro might be worth considering for that reason alone. The tradeoff is that Google’s software support is unmatched, and the 3a Pro comes with a limited warranty in the US.