Google’s A-series phones offer high-end specs at mid-range prices. The Pixel 8a is a great phone, but the Pixel 9a brings some important upgrades. Should you upgrade, or is the older phone still worth buying? We’ll break it down.

Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a

The Pixel 9a has a slightly larger 6. 3-inch OLED display compared to the Pixel 8a’s 6. 1-inch screen. Both have 120Hz refresh rates, but the 9a has a brighter panel that’s easier to use outdoors.

But the Pixel 9a will run on the new Tensor G4 chip, while the Pixel 8a will still be using Tensor G3, so the 9a should be faster, more efficient, and generate less heat. Multitasking and gaming should also be a bit smoother on the 9a.

Cameras Both phones have a 48MP main sensor, a 13MP ultrawide camera, and a 13MP selfie camera. The hardware is identical, but the Pixel 9a gets better image processing. You’ll get better low-light performance and sharper details on the Pixel 9a.

The battery also gets a bump, up to 5, 100mAh from 4, 500mAh on the Pixel 8a. Charging is the same at 23W fast charging, but you should be able to get more use out of a single charge on the 9a thanks to improved power efficiency.

Another big difference is software support — the Pixel 9a gets one extra year of updates, so it’ll be supported for longer than the 8a. That’s a big deal if you’re someone who uses their phone for years and years.

Pixel 9a Launch in India and Price

The Pixel 8a was launched at 44, 999 in India, but it has since dropped in price and you can now buy it for 39, 999. The Pixel 9a is likely to launch at 45, 999 or more. If the difference in price is minimal, then the Pixel 9a is a better deal because of its longer battery life, improved chip, and longer software support.

But if you’re on a tighter budget, the Pixel 8a still represents terrific value, especially if you can snag one on sale.

Which One to Buy?

If you own a Pixel 8a, there’s no compelling reason to upgrade to the Pixel 9a unless you want more battery life and slightly better performance. But if you’re in the market for a Pixel phone, you’ll want to pick up the 9a instead of the 8a because it’s more future-proof with the latest Tensor G4 chip and a larger battery.