Pixel 9a: Google's New Budget-Friendly Phone with a Big Battery

Google has just launched the Pixel 9a, a phone that has been the talk of the town for weeks. This new device is part of Google's A-series, known for offering good value for money. The Pixel 9a comes with a few surprises that set it apart from its predecessors and competitors. One of the standout features is its battery size, which is the largest ever seen in a Pixel phone. This is a big deal for users who need their phones to last all day. The Pixel 9a keeps the same price as last year's model, at $499. This makes it an attractive option for those looking for a budget-friendly phone without sacrificing too many features. The design is simpler this time around, ditching the camera bar seen in other recent Pixel phones. This gives the phone a cleaner look, but some might miss the distinctive camera bar. The build quality is decent, with a flat aluminum frame that has become standard in recent smartphones. The back is made of plastic, which is a departure from the Gorilla Glass used in more expensive Pixels. Google claims that the back is made of 81 percent recycled material, and the aluminum is 100 percent recycled. This is a step towards sustainability, but it remains to be seen how durable the plastic back will be.From the front, the Pixel 9a looks very similar to its predecessor. The display is slightly larger, at 6. 3 inches, and it's an OLED screen with wider bezels than the flagship Pixels. This makes the phone a few millimeters larger in height and width, but the thickness remains the same at 8. 9 mm. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 3, which is a few generations old, but it still gets the job done. The phone has also been upgraded to IP68, making it more resistant to water. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations smoother. The peak brightness has also been increased to 2, 700 nits, up from 2, 000 nits in last year's model. This means the screen will be easier to see in bright sunlight. The camera has been upgraded as well, but details on the new features are still scarce. Overall, the Pixel 9a seems to be a solid upgrade from its predecessor, with a few notable improvements.