Some of Google's coolest AI features don't work on the 9a.
Pixel 9a back in hand lifestyle Pixel 9a back in hand lifestyle
Credit: Google
Google can't make a move in 2025 without veering into the realm of generative AI, and the release of the Pixel 9a is no exception. Curiously, the AI experience on this phone may not match what you've seen from the company's high-end smartphones. Google has confirmed to Ars that the phone's lower memory prevented it from implementing the full suite of Pixel AI features. You can still talk to Gemini by holding the power button or opening the Gemini app, but the on-device Gemini Nano model has seen a downgrade on the 9a.
Google's approach to AI has changed substantially since the Pixel 8a launched, with some of the Pixel 9's hallmark features relying on local AI processing through the smartphone-optimized Gemini Nano. The Pixel 9a has it, but it's smaller than the Gemini Nano model on other Pixel 9s. For reasons unknown, Google does not call it Gemini Pico—it's Gemini Nano 1.0 XXS (extra extra small). The Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold all run Gemini Nano XS (extra small).
The Pixel 9a has less RAM than the flagship Pixels, which standardized on 12GB largely to provide Gemini Nano with reserved memory without impeding performance. However, the Pixel 9a still just has 8GB of memory, which is a problem for local AI processing. This is the first Google phone to ship with a new super-small AI model. It saves on resources but can't support some of the best Pixel AI features.
This is a familiar problem for Google, which initially disappointed Pixel 8 owners last year when it said Gemini Nano wouldn't come to that phone. Google reversed course several weeks later and released Gemini Nano as a developer preview despite the phone only having 8GB of RAM. Google confirms this preview was the first appearance of the XXS Gemini AI that now runs on the Pixel 9a out of the box.
To make Gemini Nano run well on a device with 8GB of RAM, Google had to make some sacrifices. On the more minor side, Gemini Nano 1.0 XXS doesn't run continuously in the background, unlike the flagship Pixels. The Pixel 9a only loads Gemini XXS (and eats into your RAM) when the model is needed, which might make some features a bit less responsive. A more serious drawback is the lack of multimodality—Gemini Nano 1.0 XXS is text-only.
We have confirmed that the more limited Gemini Nano XXS means you won't get Google's Pixel Screenshots app on the Pixel 9a as it cannot process images. On the flagship Pixels, this app collects all your screenshots and runs them through Gemini Nano on-device. This creates a searchable database of the content in your screenshots—it's definitely one of the most useful applications of generative AI on mobile, so it's a bummer to lose that on the 9a.
Call Notes, a feature that uses local AI analysis to create summaries of a phone conversation, is also unavailable. This feature requires audio processing, which Gemini Nano XXS cannot do. We also suspect but cannot confirm that phone call scam detection, which was announced for Pixels this month, won't be included in the 9a.
Pixel Screenshots app
Pixel Screenshots is one of Google's coolest AI features, but it's not available on the 9a.
There are, however, some AI features that unexpectedly work just fine. Google says the Pixel 9a still supports Recorder summaries because the AI doesn't work directly on the audio. The app creates transcriptions without relying on Gemini, and then the text-only Gemini Nano XXS creates summaries from the text.
These AI differences aren't transparent in the slightest, and Google doesn't call out missing features on the product page. There is no way to interact directly with Gemini Nano on the Pixel—it's only there to power select features as dictated by Google. So the 9a's AI limitations are still hazy. We have not yet been able to confirm with Google all the AI features that are missing on this phone, so it may take hands-on testing to get the full picture.
A-series divergence
Google's A-series Pixels have always been a very good value, offering the same lengthy software support and low bloatware as Google phones that cost hundreds of dollars more. The move to its custom Tensor system-on-a-chip in 2021 also allowed Google to use the same high-end processor in its budget phones, making them an even better deal.
The budget Pixels have gotten so good in recent years that it has become increasingly difficult to recommend the base model flagship Pixels. For its part, Google says the Pixel A-series and flagship lines are equally popular with buyers. The flourishing of AI on mobile could change the equation, if, as Google contends, AI features will be key in the future.
The Pixel 9a is the first A-series release that loses major software features compared to the flagship phones. Granted, the deficiency is limited to AI, which may not matter to everyone. If you tend to ignore or outright avoid Gemini and generative AI, you may not mind that the Pixel 9a doesn't have the more powerful model. On the other hand, you can't totally avoid AI anymore, and having the processing happen locally is better from a privacy standpoint than sending all your data to the cloud.
Even if you don't seek out AI, you could benefit from the bigger model on the flagship Pixels as Google continues to expand its AI features. After all, you could theoretically use a new Pixel phone for seven years with Google's generous support policy. There's no telling where Google's AI aspirations will take it by 2032, but on-device AI will be part of it.