The Google Pixel 9a is the company’s latest budget smartphone. We’ve already compared it to a range of smartphones, including the Pixel 9 Pro. Well, in this article, we’ll do the same with the larger Google flagship. In other words, we’ll be comparing the Google Pixel 9a specs vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Yes, these two smartphones are cousins, but there are a lot of things different between them.
We will kick things off by listing their specs, as per usual, and then we’ll compare them across a number of other categories. We’ll be comparing their designs, displays, performance, battery life, cameras, and audio output. This article will hopefully give you a better idea of whether the company’s large flagship is worth getting for you more than the Pixel 9a. The latter is a lot more affordable, by the way.
Specs
Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, respectively
– Screen size:
6.3-inch pOLED display (120Hz, HDR, 2,700 nits)
6.8-inch QHD+ OLED (flat, adaptive 120Hz, HDR, 3,000 nits)
– Display resolution:
2424 x 1080
2992 x 1344
– SoC:
Google Tensor G4
Google Tensor G4
– RAM:
8GB
16GB (LPDDR5X)
– Storage:
128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1)
128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB (UFS 3.1)
– Rear cameras:
48MP (wide, f/1.7 aperture, 1/2.0-inch sensor size, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS), 13MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, 120-degree FoV, 1/3.1-inch sensor size)
50MP (wide, f/1.7 aperture, 1.2um pixel size, OIS, EIS), 48MP (ultrawide, f/1.7 aperture, 123-degree FoV), 48MP (periscope telephoto, f/2.8 aperture, OIS, EIS, 5x optical zoom)
– Front cameras:
13MP (f/2.2 aperture, 96.1-inch sensor size)
42MP (f/2.2 aperture)
– Battery:
5,100mAh
5,060mAh
– Charging:
23W wired, 7.5W wireless (charger not included)
37W wired, 23W wireless (Pixel Stand), 12W Qi wireless, 5W reverse wireless (no charger)
– Dimensions:
154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm
162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm
– Weight:
185.9 grams
221 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3
– Security:
Under-display fingerprint scanner (optical)
Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner & facial scanning
– OS:
Android 15
Android 14 (upgradable)
– Price:
$499+
$1,099+
– Buy:
Google Pixel 9a (Amazon)
Pixel 9 Pro XL (Best Buy, Google Store)
Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Design
Both of these smartphones have rounded corners, and a flat frame all around. The frame on both smartphones is made out of aluminum. On the back of the Pixel 9a you’ll find plastic, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL utilizes a glass backplate. Both devices do feature flat displays with a centered display camera hole up top. The bezels around both displays are uniform, but they’re way thinner on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Pixel 9a actually does have rather chunky bezels by modern standards.
You’ll find the power/lock and volume up and down buttons on the right-hand side of both devices. The power/lock button sits above the volume buttons. Those are the only physical buttons on these devices. There is a horizontal pill-shaped cutout included on the back of the Pixel 9a, in the top-left corner. It does not protrude, but the trim around it does, slightly. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is a completely different story. It has a larger pill-shaped camera bar, with three cameras included on the inside, compared to two on the Pixel 9a. That camera bar does protrude.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has a considerably larger display. It is considerably taller and wider than the Pixel 9a, while it’s also 35 grams heavier in comparison. The larger Pixel model is a bit thinner, though. Both smartphones come with an IP68 certification for water and dust resistance. Both of them are slippery in the hand. The in-hand difference is entirely different between them, mainly due to their size and weight.
Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Display
The Google Pixel 9a features a 6.3-inch fullHD+ (2424 x 1080) pOLED display, which is flat. It supports HDR content, and its refresh rate goes up to 120Hz. The peak brightness that this panel can provide is 2,700 nits. The screen-to-body ratio is around 83%, while the display aspect ratio is 20:9. This display is protected by the Gorilla Glass 3 from Corning, which is quite dated at this point.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL, on the other hand, features a 6.8-inch 2992 x 1344 LTPO OLED panel. It is also flat, and it supports an adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz). HDR10+ content is also supported here, and the peak brightness that the panel can provide is 3,000 nits. The screen-to-body ratio is 88%, while the display aspect ratio is 20:9. This display is protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Both of these displays are quite vivid and more than sharp enough. They also have great viewing angles, and the touch response is also quite good. The brightness is also not an issue, as both will get bright enough, even if you’re using them outdoors during sunny days. The Pixel 9 Pro XL’s panel does have the advantage of having better display protection, though. The Gorilla Glass 3 is prone to microscratches, and it’s not as tough as the Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Neither phone supports high-frequency PWM dimming.
Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Performance
The Google Tensor G4 is the company’s 4nm chip, and it fuels both of these smartphones. Do note that the two devices do come with different modems, though. The Pixel 9a uses the older Exynos 5300 modem, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL has the Exynos 5400 modem. The Pixel 9a includes 8GB of RAM, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL ships with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. UFS 3.1 flash storage is used by both smartphones, and it’s not expandable.
The performance these two smartphones offer is quite similar, actually. They’re both more than snappy enough in day-to-day use. If you compare them directly with the Snapdragon 8 Elite smartphones, for example. They’ll be slightly slower, but that’s not a big deal at all. Lag is not a part of the experience on either phone, and both of them can handle even more demanding tasks without a problem.
Neither of these two smartphones is made for gaming. However, they can be used for gaming, without a problem. Simpler games are not a problem at all, while you can also run higher-end games. You will likely get a better experience on the Snapdragon 8 Elite or Dimensity 9400-powered devices, but if you really like to play a demanding game, both of these phones can handle it. Yes, they’ll heat up quite a bit during such sessions, but we did not experience overheating.
Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Battery
The Google Pixel 9a comes with a 5,100mAh battery. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, on the flip side, includes a 5,060mAh battery. So the budget phone has a larger battery despite the fact it has a noticeably smaller display. That’s actually a good thing, mainly due to the modem Google used in this phone. You’ll be glad to know that both of these phones do have really good battery life, that’s not an issue at all.
Both of these phones were able to handle some really intense use, without having to charge them before the end of the day. Think 7+ hours of screen-on-time, easy. Even if you don’t charge them overnight, they can go for a couple of extra hours on top of that. Gaming was not a part of our usage on those days, though, so keep that in mind. Yes, games will impact battery life quite a bit. Your mileage may also vary, but both smartphones offer notably improved battery life compared to their predecessors.
The Pixel 9a supports 23W wired and 7.5W wireless charging. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, on the other hand, supports 37W wired, 23W wireless (with Pixel Stand), and 12W Qi wireless charging, in addition to supporting reverse wireless charging. It’ll take the Pixel 9a around 95-96 minutes to fully charge, so over an hour and a half. The Pixel 9 Pro XL can fully charge in around an hour and 20 minutes. Neither of these smartphones comes with a charger in the box, though.
Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Cameras
There are two cameras placed on the back of the Pixel 9a. A 48-megapixel main camera (1/2.0-inch sensor size) is backed by a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera (1/3.1-inch sensor size, 120-degree FoV). The Pixel 9 Pro XL, on the other hand, has three cameras on the back. A 50-megapixel main camera (1/1.31-inch sensor size) is backed by a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera (1/2.55-inch sensor size, 123-degree FoV) and a 48-megapixel periscope telephoto camera (1/2.55-inch sensor size, 5x optical zoom).
The Google Pixel 9a is inferior in basically every way when it comes to cameras. It has inferior main and ultrawide cameras, while it doesn’t include a telephoto or periscope telephoto camera at all. During the day, both cameras do a good job, but the balance seems to be a bit better on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the images do end up looking a bit better. Both phones handle HDR situations really well.
In low light, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has an obvious advantage. It provides more detailed images, which also manage to keep noise much lower compared to the Pixel 9a. Something similar can be said for their ultrawide cameras. They’re not as good as main units, but the one on the Pixel 9 Pro XL does a notably better job. The Pixel 9 Pro XL stands in a class of its own when it comes to zoom shots, of course, as the Pixel 9a doesn’t have a camera for such photography.
Audio
You’ll find stereo speakers on both of these smartphones. Both sets of speakers are good enough. The sound output is good, while both sets of speakers are loud enough, we don’t really have complaints in that regard.
There is no audio jack on either phone. You can still use their Type-C ports to connect your wired headphones, though, of course. You’ll need a dongle, though. Bluetooth 5.3 is supported by both phones for wireless audio connectivity.
2025-04-22 15:04:16