Compare Google Pixel 8a vs Google Pixel 9

Which one is best for you?

The Google Pixel 9 is a more advanced version of the Google Pixel 8a, featuring a sleeker design and a larger 6.3-inch Actua display¹ which is up to 2,700 nits in peak brightness². The Pixel 8a's display is slightly smaller at 6.1-inches¹, with just 2,000 nits in peak brightness². However, both devices have a 60-120 Hz refresh rate³ with HDR support. The Pixel 9 has a larger battery at 4,700 mAh ⁴and up to 100 hours of battery life with Extreme Battery Saver⁵. In comparison the Pixel 8a has a 4,492 mAh battery⁴ and up to 72 hours of battery life with Extreme Battery Saver⁵. Interestingly, Google claims that both devices, despite their differences, offer a 24+ hour battery life⁶.

The Google Pixel 9 offers 12GB RAM in comparison to the 8a's 8GM RAM. The Pixel 9 offers a better processor with the Google Tensor G4, with the 8a having the previous G3. In terms of storage, they are both limited to either 128GB or 256GB⁷ - if you need larger storage, consider the Pixel 8 Pro or Pixel 9 Pro. The Pixel 9 also has the latest AI features, including Pixel Studio⁸ a new app for AI generated images, Google Keep for easy list-making, and Pixel Screenshots⁹ so you can easily recall information,

If it's the camera that you're interested in, the Pixel 9 has a dual camera system consisting of 50MP Octa PD wide camera, 48MP Octa PD ultrawide camera, and a 10.5 MP dual PD front-facing camera. The Pixel 8a has a 64MP Quad PD wide camera, 13MP ultrawide camera, and a 13MP front-facing camera. As you can see, it seems that the Pixel 8a has higher specs in some respects, but it uses older sensors, and the Pixel 9 has an improved auto-focus feature on its ultrawide camera and front-facing camera lenses. The Pixel 9 also has a new AI-driven feature called Add Me, which enables you to add the person taking the picture into the photo, so they're not missed out.

So, what choice should you make? Choose the Pixel 9 for the more advanced display, more AI features, and a better processor and battery life - plus an improved camera. However, the Pixel 8a is still a great device and is only slightly behind the Pixel 9 in terms of specs - plus it's at a cheaper price point.

Google Pixel 8a

See all Google phones

Google Pixel 9

See all Google phones

Battery
Non-removable. Fast battery charging Qi wireless charging	Non-removable Fast battery charging Qi wireless charging
Battery Life
4492 mAh	4700 mAh
Body
Front glass, Matte composite back, matte aluminium frame Dual SIM (single nano-SIM and eSIM) Dust and waterproof (IP67)	Front/back glass, metal frame Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM) Dust and waterproof (IP68)
Camera
64MP + 13MP	50MP + 48MP
Camera details
64MP (f/1.89) + 13MP (f/2.2) 13 MP (f/2.2) Best take Dual exposure controls Face Unblur Frequent Faces Live HDR+ Locked Folder Long Exposure Magic Editor Magic Eraser Manual white balancing Motion Auto-Focus Night Sight Panorama Photo Unblur Portrait Light Portrait mode Real Tone Top Shot Ultra HDR	50MP (f/1.68) + 48MP (f/1,7) 10.5 MP (f/2.2) Action Pan Add Me Astrophotography Best Take Face Unblur Frequent Faces Long Exposure Macro Focus Magic Editor Magic Eraser Night Sight Panorama Photo Unblur Portrait Light Portrait mode Real Tone Super Res Zoom up to 8x Top Shot
Capacity
128 GB/256 GB	128 GB/256 GB
Colour
Bay / Obsidian / Porcelain	Obsidian / Peony / Porcelain / Winter Green
Connectivity
2G / 3G / 4G / 5G Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) with 2.4GHz+5GHz+6GHz, HE80, MIMO Bluetooth 5.3 GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou NFC USB Type-C	2G / 3G / 4G/ 5G / 5G+ Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2.4GHz+5GHz+6GHz,2x2 +2x2 MIMO Bluetooth 5.3 GPS NFC USB Type-C
Dimensions
152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm	152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm
Display
6.1 inch	6.3 inch
Display details
OLED at 430 PPI 1080 x 2400 Always-on display Corning Gorilla Glass HDR support Smooth Display (up to 120 Hz)	OLED at 422 PPI 1080 x 2424 Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 HDR support 20:9 aspect ratio Smooth Display (60–120 Hz) Full 24-bit depth for 16 million colours Up to 1,800 nits (HDR) and up to 2,700 nits
Features
Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Audio Magic Eraser Barometer Face Unlock Fingerprint sensor (under display) Gyroscope Magnetometer Pattern, PIN, password Proximity sensor Speech enhancement Stereo recording Wind noise reduction	Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Android Earthquake Alerts System Barometer Car Crash Detection Crisis alerts Emergency contacts and medical info Emergency Location Service Emergency SOS Face Unlock Fingerprint Unlock Gyrometer Magnetometer Proximity sensor Safety Check Tensor Security core
Memory
128 GB/8GB RAM/256 GB	128 GB/12GB RAM/256 GB
Platform
Android Google Tensor G3	Android Google Tensor G4
Weight
188 g	198 g
Video
Rear camera: 4K video recording at 30fps, 60fps 1080p video recording at 30fps, 60fps Front camera: 4K video recording at 30fps 1080p video recording at 30fps 1080p active video stabilisation 4K Cinematic Pan video stabilisation 4K locked video stabilisation 4K timelapse with stabilisation Astrophotography timelapse Digital zoom up to 5x Fused video stabilisation Optical image stabilisation Slow-motion video support up to 240 FPS Video formats: HEVC (H.265) and AVC (H.264)	1080p video recording at 24/30/60 FPS 10-bit HDR video 4K timelapse with stabilisation 4K video recording at 24/30/60 FPS 8K video recording at 30 FPS (powered by Video Boost) Active video stabilisation (1080p) Astrophotography timelapse Cinematic Pan video stabilisation (4K, 1080p) Dual exposure on wide camera Fused Video Stabilisation Locked video stabilisation (4K, 1080p) Macro Focus Video Night Sight timelapse Night Sight Video Slo-mo video support up to 240 FPS Super Res Zoom Video Super Res Zoom Video up to 20x Video formats: HEVC (H.265) and AVC (H.264)
Operating system
Android	Android
Box Contains
Quick Switch adaptor SIM tool 1 m USB-C® to USB-C cable (USB 2.0)	SIM tool 1 m USB-C® to USB-C cable (USB 2.0)

Terms and conditions

¹ Pixel 8a: Screen has rounded corners. When measured diagonally as a rectangle, the screen is 6.1 inches. Actual viewable area is less. Dimension may vary by configuration and manufacturing process.

Pixel 9: Screen has rounded corners. When measured diagonally as a rectangle, screen is 6.3 inches (for Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro) and 6.8 inches (for Pixel 9 Pro XL). Actual viewable area is less. Dimension may vary by configuration and manufacturing process.

² HDR brightness measured at 100% on-pixel ratio. Peak brightness measured at 5% on-pixel ratio.

³ Not available for all apps or content.

⁴ Estimate of typical capacity based on testing and expected cell behaviour.

⁵ Pixel 8a: For 'over 24 hours': Estimated battery life based on testing using a median Pixel user battery usage profile across a mix of talk, data, standby and use of other features. Average battery life during testing was at least 31 hours. For 'Up to 72 hours': Estimated battery life based on testing using a median Pixel user battery usage profile across a mix of talk, data, standby and use of limited other features that are default in Extreme Battery Saver mode (which disables various features including 5G connectivity). For both claims: Battery testing conducted on a major US operator network in California in late 2023 on pre-production hardware and software using default settings, except that, for the 'up to 72 hours' claim only, Extreme Battery Saver mode was enabled. Tests began with phones fully charged. Battery life depends upon many factors and usage of certain features will decrease battery life. Actual battery life may be lower.

Pixel 9: Estimated battery life based on testing using a median Pixel user battery usage profile across a mix of talk, data, standby and use of limited other features that are default in Extreme Battery Saver mode (which disables various features including 5G connectivity). Battery testing conducted on a major US operator network. Battery testing conducted in California in mid-2024 on pre-production hardware and software using default settings, except that Extreme Battery Saver mode was enabled. Battery life depends upon many factors and usage of certain features will decrease battery life. Actual battery life may be lower.

⁶ Pixel 9: Battery testing conducted on a major US operator network. Battery testing conducted in California in mid-2024 on pre-production hardware and software using default settings, except that Extreme Battery Saver mode was enabled. Tests began with phones fully charged. Battery life depends upon many factors, and usage of certain features will decrease battery life.

⁷ Storage specifications refer to capacity before formatting. Actual formatted capacity will be less.

⁸ Results may vary. Not available in all languages or countries.

⁹ Not available in all countries or languages.

Menu

Switch to

Compare Google Pixel 8a vs Google Pixel 9

Which one is best for you?

Google Pixel 8a

Google Pixel 9

Terms and conditions

Google Pixel 8a and Google Pixel 9 terms and conditions

Popular Google Pixel phone searches

Buying online

Latest phones

Help and support

Vodafone UK