The new Pixel 9a is here, and it’s gunning for the mid-range phone crown. But with this latest release, I believe Google is targeting a new potential customer: existing iPhone users.
Let’s look at the evidence.
In many ways, the Pixel 9a is the closest thing we’ve ever seen to an iPhone that runs Android. Curved edges, a relatively compact design and dual rear cameras are very reminiscent of the regular iPhone 16. If you took the Google logo off the back, many people would be unable to tell them apart.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Of course, although Android 15 is quite different to iOS 18, Google and Apple’s software experience has become a lot more aligned in recent years. Provided you’re not heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, you shouldn’t run into many issues when switching from Android to iPhone.
The best part? The Pixel 9a starts at just £499/$499 at launch. Not only is that £200/$200 cheaper than the regular iPhone 16, it’s also £100/$100 less than the iPhone 16e, which has vastly inferior specs.
Sure, you’ll have to give up iMessage and FaceTime, but there are plenty of great alternatives in 2025. If the Pixel 9a performs as its specs suggest, it’ll be an easy recommendation…including to many current iPhone users.
In many ways, the Pixel 9a is the closest thing we’ve ever seen to an iPhone that runs Android
And, from a purely practical sense, the Pixel 9a has plenty else going for it.
The relatively compact design will appeal to many people in an era of huge phones. Retaining the Pixel 8a’s impressive display and class-leading cameras is no bad thing, while Google has addressed one of that phone’s key weaknesses – battery life.
On the software side, Android 15 is packed with AI features, including Google Gemini. Pixel phones are also the first in line for future updates, which will continue for a full seven years.
It’s a compelling package that’s likely to tempt plenty of people away from other Android phones. But it also makes switching from an iPhone easier than ever before.
However, as someone who reviews phones for a living, I find the Pixel 9a to be an underwhelming update. Compared to last year’s Pixel 8a, the only real improvements are a move to the latest Tensor G4 chipset and a larger 5100mAh battery.
The phone has also lost a lot of its personality. Instead of the Pixel 8a’s visor-style rear camera module or the Pixel 9 series’ large pill-shaped design, the 9a’s dual cameras (48Mp main, 13Mp ultrawide) appear to sit almost flush with the back of the phone.
And the rest of the design is about as generic as it gets. The 6.3-inch Full HD+ (1080 x 2424) pOLED display is totally flat, sitting within a slim bezel and rounded corners. It’s a tried-and-tested formula that we’ve seen on countless phones recently.
So, for phone enthusiasts like myself, there’s very little to get excited about. If you’re in the market for a unique or innovative phone, this ain’t it. If that’s a priority for you, the Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro are much better mid-range options.
