Google’s Pixel 9a may have flat cameras

If there’s any signal that Google’s multi-year experiment in designing its personal smartphones has been a hit, look no additional than the Pixel digicam bump. The distinguished digicam sensor “ledge” in the back of its Pixel telephones is immediately recognizable, an indication of the corporate’s willingness to comply with a extra idiosyncratic line when it comes to design and its dedication to digicam options. Pixel telephones have been known for their camera performance because the first mannequin, even when the digicam bump is a more moderen addition. So it may be unusual to be taught that Google may abandon the digicam bump on the Pixel 9a, primarily based on renders of the brand new cellphone shared by Android Headlines and OnLeaks.

Google’s A-series phones are sometimes introduced the yr after a brand new numbered launch, that includes refinements, fixes, and fewer premium options in order that they hit a lower cost level. Up till now, an A-series Pixel has at all times at the very least regarded like its costlier counterpart, simply with a smaller, dimmer display screen, or a smaller digicam bump. Now it looks like Google may be attempting to make a extra dramatic break between the Pixel 9s that got here out in 2024, and the Pixel 9a it can presumably announce in 2025.

The Pixel 9a appears to be like a bit like an iPhone 4

Digicam bumps have turn out to be so commonplace that dropping them feels retro

Primarily based on the pictures OnLeaks and Android Headlines shared, the entrance of the Pixel 9a ought to seem like the Pixel 9. Flat, with slim bezels, a hole-punch selfie digicam, and an under-display fingerprint reader. The edges may also characteristic the identical brushed aluminum that the Pixel 9 used, evoking the design of Apple’s iPhones because the iPhone 12.

The foremost departure is on the again of the cellphone. Quite than a pill-shaped digicam bump that stretches from practically one aspect to the opposite, the Pixel 9a’s two cameras are flush with the again of the cellphone, circled by a skinny oval of raised metallic, with a flash to their proper. The dimensions of the cellphone and its cameras are clearly totally different, however the factor it jogs my memory most of is not Google’s Pixel 9, and as a substitute the iPhone 4, which additionally incorporates a smooth flat again and aluminum sides. Not like Apple, Google reportedly plans on providing the Pixel 9a in a number of enjoyable colours, together with one which wasn’t used for the Pixel 9. According to Android Headlines, the smartphone will come within the ordinary off-white Porcelain and black Obsidian, alongside the pink Peony that was launched on the Pixel 9, and a brand new bluish-purple “Iris” colour that must be authentic to the Pixel 9a.

The design change will doubtless be essentially the most noticeable factor concerning the new gadget, although, and a potential suggestion that the way in which Google plans on differentiating between its flagship smartphones and the A-series Pixels is the presence of the digicam bump. The costlier smartphones with extra highly effective cameras get a bump, and those which might be simply adequate (or utilizing final yr’s tech) do not.

The software program, specs, and launch window for the Pixel 9a

Particulars are slim, however not insubstantial

Past that, the remaining particulars of the Pixel 9a are nonetheless largely unknown. The cellphone is anticipated to ship with Android 15, which technically nonetheless hasn’t rolled out to present Pixel 9s, however contains stability enhancements, a brand new Private Space characteristic for securing apps and notifications from the remainder of your cellphone, improved help for folding telephones and bigger screens, and enhanced help for satellite tv for pc communication. One imagines that among the unique Pixel 9 options like Pixel Screenshots may additionally make the bounce to the Pixel 9a.

Whereas Google is reportedly engaged on each designing and producing its own Tensor chips from scratch for the Pixels in 2025 (earlier Tensor chips have been primarily based on Samsung’s Exynos line), Android Headlines writes that the Pixel 9a will nonetheless use the older designs, doubtless the Tensor G4 included on the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional. That may make it the Pixel 9a the final of Google’s telephones to make use of a Samsung-made Tensor chip. Apart from that, the specs are rumored to be much like the Pixel 8a, together with “a 6.1-inch show, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage,” in response to Android Headlines.

As to when the Pixel 9a will really be accessible to buy, Google sometimes likes to announce its A-series telephones round it is I/O developer convention. The Pixel 8a was introduced on Might seventh, 2024, every week earlier than I/O in 2024. It might make sense for the Pixel 9a to be introduced throughout that very same window in 2025.

The Pixel line has by no means been in a greater place

No matter how you’re feeling about AI, Google’s on a successful streak

Whether or not a brand new design for the Pixel 9a makes all that a lot of a distinction, it is laborious to disclaim that Google has had a great yr for {hardware}. From the Pixel 9 to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, this yr’s smartphones have been polished, performant, and AI-capable, if that floats your boat. I do not suppose I’ve ever used a Pixel that is felt as sturdy and premium because the Pixel 9 has felt in-hand. Positive, perhaps some of its AI features can be a bit much, but it surely’s in any other case an amazing smartphone with an amazing digicam.

All indicators level to that remaining true with the Pixel 9a, although will probably be fascinating to see how previous a Tensor G4 will really feel as soon as there is a wholly Google-made Tensor G5 to match it to. Perhaps Google’s Pixel 9a shall be a more durable promote.