Google's Pixel phones tend to be nearly revealed well before the company gets to officially announce them. These leaks, which often come from social media accounts claiming to see units in development, are often quite accurate to what comes true when Google does announce their device.
Just today, for instance, 9to5Google spotted two videos that reportedly unbox and review the unannounced Google Pixel 9A. These videos show a phone that does indeed look like a sequel to last year's Pixel 8A, continuing the lower-cost phone line's tradition of keeping the newest Tensor processor and camera features while making aesthetic tradeoffs like thicker screen bezels.
Google's Pixel A phones, however, usually get announced around the company's I/O developer conference, which this year starts on May 20. So regardless of whether we're truly seeing the device early right now, or the Pixel 9A's actually coming later this spring, here's what I hope does come true about the company's next lower-cost phone.
Google's Pixel 8A mobile phone
The Pixel 8A is priced at $499, and hopefully the Pixel 9A can keep the same price. James Martin/CNET
Keeping the price steady
With the constant news cycle we're experiencing revolving around US tariffs and the cost of eggs, there is a concern that the cost of tech could rise over the course of 2025. Apple has already discontinued its $429 iPhone SE and made the $599 iPhone 16E the lowest-cost way to buy a new iPhone from the company.
On the bright side, Pixel 9A rumors do appear to be pointing towards a $499 price for the phone, which would keep it consistent with last year's Pixel 8A and 2023's Pixel 7A. That price came from Android Headlines in February, who list the US price as $499 for a model with 128GB of storage.
Google Pixel 6 battery
A Pixel 6 in a wireless charging stand. Patrick Holland/CNET
A bigger battery than the 8A (but I don't know about Qi2)
The Pixel 9A might be getting a bigger battery than last year's 8A, according to an Android Headlines report that claims it will have a 5,100mAh capacity. If so, that will be bigger than the Pixel 8A's 4,492mAh battery and the Pixel 9's 4,700mAh battery. Battery life is always a top concern for a phone, especially as more power-intensive applications like on-device Gemini AI increasingly become widespread.
While the bigger battery will be nice, I'm unsure if the Pixel 9A will be the first Pixel to get 15W Qi2 magnetic wireless charging support. Even though Google announced its intention to support the standard, it's unusual for the A phones to get a feature that isn't already included in their more expensive counterpart. Regardless of whether the 9A supports the original Qi standard or Qi2, I hope Google does start selling cases that provide support for magnetic accessories, which would match the support that Samsung and OnePlus are providing for their newer phones.
pixel-3a-xl-29
The Pixel 3A came in a "Purple-ish" model.
The purple Pixel
Google's color choices get quite wild for many of the cheaper Pixel phones, and after dabbling in Peony pink and Wintergreen for the Pixel 9, an unboxing video from Sahil Karoul appears to show a purple edition of the 9A.
It's not quite as bold as the colors seen on the Pixel 9, and you could fairly compare it to the "Purple-ish" color seen on the Pixel 3A back in 2019. But seeing the Pixel line return to a purple color could be quite welcoming, as it's a look that has pleased phone fans in the past. For instance, back in 2019, Apple raised quite a bit of attention for the iPhone 11 by releasing a purple edition.
Maybe this is the start of purple's comeback in the phone scene following many phones in 2023 and 2024 highlighting Barbie pink.
As we continue to wait for an official unveiling of the Pixel 9A, you can check out all the rumors we're finding about the phone in our Google Pixel 9A rumor roundup.
Watch this: Google Pixel 9 Review: More AI, a New Look and a Higher Price
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