Google’s Pixel 9a might have flat cameras

If there’s any signal that Google’s multi-year experiment in designing its personal smartphones has been successful, look no additional than the Pixel digital camera bump. The distinguished digital camera sensor “ledge” behind 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 digital camera options. Pixel telephones have been known for their camera performance for the reason that first mannequin, even when the digital camera bump is a more moderen addition. So it is likely to be unusual to be taught that Google might abandon the digital camera bump on the Pixel 9a, based mostly 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 all the time not less than seemed like its dearer counterpart, simply with a smaller, dimmer display, or a smaller digital camera bump. Now it looks as if Google is likely to be attempting to make a extra dramatic break between the Pixel 9s that got here out in 2024, and the Pixel 9a it’ll presumably announce in 2025.

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

Digicam bumps have develop into so commonplace that shedding them feels retro

Primarily based on the photographs OnLeaks and Android Headlines shared, the entrance of the Pixel 9a ought to appear to be the Pixel 9. Flat, with slim bezels, a hole-punch selfie digital camera, and an under-display fingerprint reader. The edges may even characteristic the identical brushed aluminum that the Pixel 9 used, evoking the design of Apple’s iPhones for the reason that iPhone 12.

The most important departure is on the again of the cellphone. Relatively than a pill-shaped digital camera bump that stretches from practically one facet 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 scale 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 an alternative the iPhone 4, which additionally includes 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 typical 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 ought to be unique to the Pixel 9a.

The design change will possible be probably the most noticeable factor concerning the new gadget, although, and a potential suggestion that the best way Google plans on differentiating between its flagship smartphones and the A-series Pixels is the presence of the digital camera bump. The dearer smartphones with extra highly effective cameras get a bump, and those which can 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 predicted 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 assist for folding telephones and bigger screens, and enhanced assist for satellite tv for pc communication. One imagines that a number of the unique Pixel 9 options like Pixel Screenshots might 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 based mostly on Samsung’s Exynos line), Android Headlines writes that the Pixel 9a will nonetheless use the older designs, possible the Tensor G4 included on the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional. That can make it the Pixel 9a the final of Google’s telephones to make use of a Samsung-made Tensor chip. Other than that, the specs are rumored to be just like the Pixel 8a, together with “a 6.1-inch show, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage,” in keeping with 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 Could seventh, 2024, every week earlier than I/O in 2024. It will 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 profitable streak

Whether or not a brand new design for the Pixel 9a makes all that a lot of a distinction, it is onerous to disclaim that Google has had a superb 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, nevertheless it’s in any other case a terrific smartphone with a terrific digital camera.

All indicators level to that remaining true with the Pixel 9a, although it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how outdated a Tensor G4 will really feel as soon as there is a wholly Google-made Tensor G5 to check it to. Possibly Google’s Pixel 9a can be a tougher promote.