Google Pixel 9a Australia: Price, release date, and a bold new look
Google's latest mid-range phone costs under $1,000 and packs a fresh design, upgraded camera and up to 30 hours of battery life. But an unexpected delay means you'll have to wait to buy the Pixel 9a.
This is the third mid-range phone to launch in 2025, following the iPhone 16e and Samsung's Galaxy A56.
I'm happy to say there are some exciting updates, like the new camera housing design inspired by water droplets, which looks really sleek but perhaps removes the Pixel-esque distinction we've grown fond of.
Google Pixel 9a release date and availability in Australia
Let's address the elephant in the room first.
Google's Pixel 9a would have been available for pre-order around this time. However, since the phones won't hit shelves until sometime in April, Google has delayed pre-orders to better align with their availability.
Based on online reports from Android Central and more, it appears to be a quality control issue with a component affecting a small number of Pixel 9a devices.
I'm not mad about this delay. You want to get it right before the device gets to a customer and not deal with returns, exchanges and Reddit wars.
We'll update you when Google announces a new April date for ordering the Pixel 9a outright from the Google Store, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, The Good Guys, or on a phone plan from Telstra, Optus or Vodafone.
Pixel 9a prices in Australia
The Pixel 9a 128GB will cost the same as last year's Pixel 8a - $849.
However, the 256GB model is $50 more expensive at $999.
Want to see if there are deals on the Pixel 9 series?
Compare Pixel 9 plans to see if you can buy a new phone for cheaper.
Pixel 9a specs and features
You can buy the Pixel 9a in four colours: obsidian, porcelain, peony and iris. I love that we have two new fun colours which are often lacking in mid-range devices.
Before we jump into all the other ways Google has upgraded the Pixel 9a this year, let's quickly run through the key specs.
| Feature | Pixel 9a |
|---|---|
Display | 6.3-inch OLED |
Resolution & refresh rate | 2424x1080 pixels, with 120Hz refresh rate |
Dimensions | 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 (mm) |
Weight | 186g |
RAM and Storage | 8GB RAM, 128GB & 256GB storage |
Software | Android 15 |
Camera | 48-megapixel wide, 13-megapixel ultrawide and front-facing |
Video capture | 4K |
Processor | Google Tensor G4 |
Battery | 5,100 mAh |
Water resistance | IP68 dust and water resistance |
Drastic design shift, brighter display and upgraded cameras
One of the biggest changes between the Pixel 8a and Pixel 9a is the design.
Google's given its latest phone a personality of its own. The camera housing as you can see from the picture below is very different.
Pixel 9a in Iris: Image by Google
The iconic camera bar is gone and the new camera housing sits flush on the back of the phone to make it flatter. It has a composite matte back finish with a satin metal frame.
The new look is nice but it's a very divisive change as it takes away from the Pixel look we've all grown fond of. You want to be able to easily spot a Pixel phone in a sea of phones, right?
The slightly larger 6.3-inch display is the brightest on a Google A-series which should, in theory, help when you're playing on your phone outdoors.
The Pixel 9a also has an upgraded dual rear camera setup, featuring a 13MP ultrawide and a 48MP main lens and a bunch of AI editing tools for you to get the perfect shot.
Plus, for the first time in an A-series, you can get up close with Macro Focus to capture tiny details.
Performance and battery life
The Pixel 9a features Google's Tensor G4 chip.
We've tested it on the Pixel 9 series and honestly for the everyday user, it's performance is pretty solid, whether you're mindlessly scrolling, playing online games on the train or streaming Netflix.
The mid-range phone now boasts the biggest battery seen on any A series model, with Google saying it can get up to 30 hours of battery life.
New AI goodies
No new phone launch these days goes without leaning in on AI smarts.
Here's what you can expect on the Pixel 9a:
- Gemini AI: Google's personal AI assistant to help you with multi-tasking and requests.
- Add Me: You can combine two group photos into one so that even the photographer can be a part of the group picture.
- Best Take: This allows you to choose the best shot from a burst of photos by blending facial expressions.
- Magic Editor: It lets you adjust and improve photos, from changing backgrounds to repositioning elements.
- Night Sight: For low-light photography
Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9a
Google hasn't sent out review units yet, so I don't have a definitive answer just yet, but here are my initial thoughts.
Looking at the specs, the main difference between the two comes down to the Pixel 9's more premium design and its signature camera housing. Plus, it delivers better image quality.
Of course, the Pixel 9a is more affordable, starting at $849 compared to the Pixel 9's $1,349. That said, retailers often run great sales, so there's a good chance you could snag the Pixel 9 at a much lower price at various times of the year.
Either way, the Pixel 9a is a midrange powerhouse based on what we know so far, and the price is fairly good for what you're getting in return.
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