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In 2021, Google launched the “digital camera bar” to its lineup of Pixel telephones. The thought behind placing an enormous bump alongside the whole width of the cellphone’s rear was ostensibly to offer the digital camera’s lenses more room, however actually, it was as a lot a advertising and marketing transfer as a sensible one: Whereas different telephones proceed to make just do high-quality with a small sq. within the nook, the digital camera bar provides Pixels a novel look that Google acknowledges is a “trademark of the lineup.”
Sadly for the search big, it’s a nasty trademark. I hate it.
A lot to the chagrin of my pockets and purses, nearly each Pixel Google has launched because the 6 has had a digital camera bar in some type. It traps mud, it provides instances an unsightly hump, and it makes it tougher to carry the cellphone in a single hand or in panorama mode.
Fortunately, after years of Google’s strict adherence to the digital camera bar, there’s lastly an choice for individuals like me. Earlier this 12 months, Google launched its budget-oriented Pixel 9a, the primary cellphone from the corporate to omit the digital camera bar since its debut mannequin. That instantly made it my favourite Google cellphone you should buy proper now, and even with the Pixel 10 on the horizon, it seems to be prefer it’s going to be related for years to return.
How does the Pixel 9a evaluate to the Pixel 9?
Google Pixel 9a in numerous colours
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
Each spring, Google releases an “a” mannequin of its most up-to-date Pixels, reducing a couple of specs and slashing the value to match. I’ve typically been fairly impressed with these units—their compromises are largely arduous to identify, and so they largely present the identical general expertise as their forebears. Nonetheless, I’ve been hesitant to declare these variations a more sensible choice than the complete fashions, till now.
The Pixel 9a is nearly neck-and-neck with the Pixel 9, and because of the redesigned digital camera, I’d say it’s much less of a strict downgrade and extra of another choice with totally different priorities.
It has the identical processor because the Pixel 9 (the Google Tensor G4), the identical measurement display screen (6.3-inches), the identical max refresh fee (120Hz), and is definitely just a little lighter and has a barely bigger battery. It’s bought much less reminiscence, sure, and fewer megapixels on the digital camera, however for those who largely use your cellphone for web-based apps, it will likely be basically provide you an identical capabilities as some other Pixel 9, proper right down to Audio Eraser and different Pixel-exclusive software program.
If not for its lack of a digital camera bar, I might in all probability hand you a 9a and inform you it was a 9, and also you’d go for months with out noticing the distinction.
Why the digital camera bar hate?
Google Pixel 9 from the again
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
I’ve bought a couple of points with the Pixel digital camera bar, though lots of them may sound like nitpicks, relying in your tastes. It makes Pixels a bit tougher to suit into a decent pocket or a small bag, and I feel it makes them much less snug to carry horizontally, which could be a ache for players. The sides will also be a little bit of a mud magnet, no less than for those who put a case on it, and the digital camera bar is thick sufficient that it’s arduous to put a Pixel down fully flat.
However for me, the true difficulty is that it’s ugly. That’s extremely subjective, I’ll admit, however it’s a typical sufficient grievance that Google has made pains to defend the digital camera bump. How dangerous it’s varies from cellphone to cellphone, however on the bottom Pixel 9, it’s a 3rd as thick because the cellphone itself. That’s some nasty work, and for those who’re like me, it’s fairly self-evident why you may favor an alternate.
How does the Pixel 9a’s digital camera maintain up?
That’s why I used to be so completely happy once I noticed that the Pixel 9a removed the digital camera bump in favor of a virtually flush capsule in one of many corners. It’s unobtrusive, straightforward to suit a case round, and much sufficient out of the best way that the Pixel 9a lays fully flat when positioned on its rear. It’s just like the digital camera cutout on an iPhone or Galaxy, however smaller.
What do you assume to this point?
To be honest, the change does include some caveats. Whereas the common Pixel 9’s digital camera has a 50 MP large lens and a 48 MP ultrawide lens, the Pixel 9a solely has a 48MP large lens and a 13 MP ultrawide lens. However right here’s my scorching take: You’re shopping for a cellphone, not a digital camera. Whereas most of us have changed devoted cameras with our smartphones, it’s price contemplating whether or not you’re the kind of one who wants absolutely the prettiest footage always, or for those who’d favor a much less unwieldy machine with a smaller price ticket. Whereas I do assume you possibly can spot a gentle distinction between the 9 and 9a’s pictures, for informal photographers, the 9a ought to nonetheless maintain up simply high-quality.
Right here’s a couple of examples of Pixel 9a pictures, from numerous distances and in numerous lighting situations:
Pictures taken on the Pixel 9a
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
And the identical, however for the common Pixel 9:
Pictures taken on the Pixel 9
Credit score: Michelle Ehrhardt
Isn’t the Pixel 10 popping out quickly?
Even when I’ve satisfied you on the Pixel 9a over the 9, there may be an elephant within the room—the Pixel 10 is about to return out later this month. Nonetheless, as Google has formally revealed, it’s nonetheless going to have a digital camera bar, and a reasonably thick-looking one at that.
I hoped that the 9a was an indication of issues to return for Google’s non-budget telephones, however alas. In case you’re a fellow digital camera bar hater, the Pixel 9a goes to stay a related choice for you lengthy after the bottom Pixel 10 launch, particularly as a result of the 10a probably received’t come out till subsequent 12 months, if historic precedent stands.
It appears the Pixel 9a may even be a good choice for those who’re an iPhone fan, as leaks have lately instructed the iPhone 17 Professional and Professional Max is likely to be getting their very own elongated digital camera bump, though the trustworthiness of these rumors continues to be up within the air.
No matter your preferences, the Pixel 9a is a rattling good piece of package for $500, an enormous low cost from the $800 Pixel 9. In case you largely use your cellphone for calls, texting, and the web, it’s not only a good compromise—it is the very best Google cellphone you should buy.
