Google Pixel 9a Will Reportedly Ditch the Iconic Camera Bar Design

The Google Pixel 9 series was launched in India on 13th August 2024, which included three devices — Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL. The brand is now planning to add another device to the lineup, the Pixel 9a. As per tradition, Google will launch its budget smartphone, the Pixel 9a, next year. A report from Android Headlines has revealed the design renders and key specifications of the Google Pixel 9a. The renders indicate significant design alterations compared to the flagship Pixel 9. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

Pixel 9a Design Leaked 

The leaked rendered images show the removal of the iconic camera bar from the Pixel 9a. This bar-style camera module, which debuted on the Pixel 6, has been a signature design feature across all subsequent Pixel models. However, based on the leaked images and now this render, the budget Pixel’s design may take a different direction. In the render, the device features a flush module housing two rear cameras, accompanied by an LED flash, while the rest of the back panel remains clean. The front of the device is unchanged, resembling the face of the Pixel 9. The device has rounded shape and flat edges, similar to what we have seen in the Pixel 9 Series devices. It will be 8.9mm thin. 

Pixel 9a: Expected Specifications and Launch Date 

The report reveals that Google will launch the Pixel 9a with Android 15 out of the box. As per Google's policy, the Pixel 9a will recieve seven years of Android updates.

We speculate the Pixel 9a to include a 6.1-inch 90Hz AMOLED display, 8GB RAM, and 128GB storage in the base variant. The Pixel 9a could be powered by a Samsung-built Tensor G4 SoC. This may be the last Pixel to use a Samsung-built Tensor chip, as Google is rumoured to be developing a fully customised chip with TSMC for its upcoming flagship Pixel models, likely to be named G5

Budget Pixel devices traditionally launch mid-year like the Pixel 8a debuted on 7th May 2024. Therefore, we can expect the Pixel 9a to launch around mid-2025, somewhere between May to June cycle.