Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 9, here’s the best choice for Canadians

Google has finally announced the Pixel 9a, the company’s latest mid-range smartphone. The handset looks impressive for what it is and is affordable, even in Canada. So, should you buy this pretty new mid-range phone when it launches in April, or buy the Pixel 9, which is a flagship and has already been released?

Pricing-wise, the Pixel 9 costs $1,099 (currently on sale for $949) versus the Pixel 9a, which costs $679. In terms of pricing, the Pixel 9a looks like the best bet.

We haven’t reviewed the Pixel 9a yet, but just looking at the specs, here are our thoughts. You’re looking at less RAM for the Pixel 9a with 8GB versus 12GB and a worse camera experience. However, less RAM shouldn’t affect your regular day-to-day experience unless you like gaming on your smartphone. However, the Tensor G4 may cause issues in this department.

The camera experience for the Pixel handsets is always top-of-the-line, so even if the handset doesn’t have the best camera hardware, it should be good enough. However, the Pixel 9a’s primary camera is similar, if not the same, as the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which I loved in my review of my foldable phone. And that stylish flushed camera module is beautiful.

The Pixel 9a is better battery-wise than the Pixel 9, so you should have a better experience with the 9a.

We’ll need to put the Pixel 9a through its paces, but if I were in the market for a new smartphone, I’d wait until April when the handset launches in Canada. The 9a is more affordable and should offer a good enough camera experience, better battery life, and a similar all-around experience to the more expensive Pixel 9.

Of course, given the component issue, I’d wait until the Pixel 9a reviews, but with a $679 price tag, you can’t go wrong.