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Battery, Bump and Budget: Comparing Google Pixel 9A to Pixel 9, 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL

Google’s newest budget phone packs surprises that stack up well against the rest of the nines.

With the Pixel 9A about to land on April 10, you may be looking at whether Google’s budget phone is the right choice for you — and if it’s wise to pick up a new phone before expected tariffs push up prices. Even as the low-cost offering in the Pixel 9 series, the Pixel 9A exceeds some specs found in its pricier siblings. Let’s look at how it compares to the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL.

With budget phones, the question is always, «What’s missing?» For example, Apple ditched MagSafe and stuck with a single camera for the iPhone 16E — which still comes in at $599. With the new Pixel 9A, what is Google giving up to hit a friendlier $499 price?

See also: Buy or Wait Guide: 10 Experts Predict How Tariffs Will Change Tech Prices in 2025 and What to Do Now

Hey, better battery

People consistently rate battery power as the most important consideration for a new phone, and here Google delivered. The Pixel 9A has a higher-powered battery than any of the other Pixel 9 phones. With a capacity of 5,100mAh, that’s more than the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 5,060-mAh battery and a nice jump over the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro that each have a 4,700-mAh one.

The Pixel 9A is pokey about replenishing the battery, with a fast-charge rate at 23 watts instead of 45 watts on the other phones (and, of course, a charger is not included). Wireless Qi charging maxes out at 7.5 watts compared with 15 watts on the others.

A larger battery capacity in the Pixel 9A should support more intense computational work, along with the same Google Tensor G4 chipset as the other models. It will run the same Gemini AI features, although with less headroom: Its 8GB of RAM is generally considered the minimum amount of memory to run the algorithms and on-device processing used by AI. The Pixel 9 has 12GB of RAM, while the 9 Pro configurations have 16GB of RAM. For storage, the Pixel 9A comes in just 128GB or 256GB capacities.

The Pixel 9A’s Design: Google Takes Minimalism to the Extreme

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Shaving costs with competent cameras

Not surprisingly, the cameras are a step down from the other Pixel 9 phones, reinforcing that mobile photography is an area people are willing to pay more for. The main wide camera captures 48-megapixel photos, compared with the 50-megapixel wide cameras on the others — which isn’t a significant difference. It is a drop from the 64-megapixel main camera on last year’s Pixel 8A but does support macro focus to ensure close-up photos are in focus.

The ultrawide camera, however, records just 13-megapixel images, compared with the 48-megapixel ultrawide cameras on each of the other models. Still, ultrawide cameras at 12- or 13-megapixel resolutions are still more common on phones from other companies, and they create good wide-angle images. Selfies via the front-facing camera are also 13-megapixel resolution, which is a step up from the 10-megapixel camera on the Pixel 9 but dwarfed by the 42-megapixel cameras on the 9 Pros.

A return to flatness

We all play along when phone companies reveal the thickness of their phones, which is measured by the depth of the bodies and usually doesn’t include the now-ubiquitous camera bumps. As long as most of a phone is svelte, it’s easy to overlook the extra few millimeters dedicated to the camera assembly — and the wobble when placed on a flat surface for some phones.

Why? Because the cameras are some of the most important features of a modern phone. We’ll accept a little cantilevering in exchange for 10x optical zoom.

Someone forgot to remind the Pixel 9A designers, though, because its dual camera lenses are nearly flush with the rest of the phone’s back. There’s still a tiny elevation, which CNET’s Patrick Holland described as «enough to catch your nail on it,» but compared with the pronounced camera ledge on the other Pixel 9 models, the Pixel 9A rests nearly flat.

The opposite side of the body has the same 6.3-inch OLED screen as the Pixel 9, measuring 2,424×1,080 pixels for a 422 pixels-per-inch density and a 60Hz to 120Hz variable refresh rate. It even maxes out at 2,700 nits like the Pixel 9.

The phone’s dimensions, however, are slightly larger than the Pixel 9, being 1.9mm taller, 1.3mm wider and 0.4mm deeper. Even so, the Pixel 9A is the lightest of the phones at 186g (6.6 ounces).

To compare the specs between all Pixel 9-series phones, dig into the details below:

Pixel 9A specs vs. Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL

Google Pixel 9A Google Pixel 9 Google Pixel 9 Pro Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate 6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate 6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate 6.3-inch LTPO OLED; 2,856×1,280 pixels; 1-120Hz variable refresh rate 6.8-inch LTPO OLED; 2,992×1,344 pixels; 1-120Hz variable refresh rate
Pixel density 422 ppi 422 ppi 495 ppi 486 ppi
Dimensions (inches) 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.4 in 6×2.8×0.3 inches 6×2.8×0.3 inches 6.4x3x0.3 inches
Dimensions (millimeters) 154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm 152.8x72x8.5 mm 152.8x72x8.5 mm 162.8×76.6×8.5 mm
Weight (grams, ounces) 186g (6.6 oz) 198g (7 oz.) 199g (7 oz.) 221g (7.8 oz)
Mobile software Android 15 Android 14 Android 14 Android 14
Camera 48-megapixel (wide), 13-megapixel (ultrawide) 50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide) 50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (5x telephoto) 50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (5x telephoto)
Front-facing camera 13-megapixel 10.5-megapixel 42-megapixel 42-megapixel
Video capture 4K 4K 4K 4K
Processor Google Tensor G4 Google Tensor G4 Google Tensor G4 Google Tensor G4
RAM/storage 8GB + 128GB, 256GB 12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB 16GB + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 16GB + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Expandable storage None None None None
Battery 5,100 mAh 4,700 mAh 4,700 mAh 5,060 mAh
Fingerprint sensor Under display Under display Under display Under display
Connector USB-C USB-C USB-C USB-C
Headphone jack None None None None
Special features 7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; Gorilla Glass 3 cover glass; IP68 dust and water resistance; 2,700-nit peak brightness; 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio; 23W fast charging (charger not included); 7.5W wireless charging Qi certified; Wi-Fi 6E; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (nano SIM + eSIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor; Photo Unblur; Super Res Zoom; Circle To Search Satellite SOS; 7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass; IP68 dust and water resistance; 2,700-nit peak brightness; 45W fast charging (charger not included); 15W wireless charging with Google Pixel Stand (second gen); 12W wireless Qi-charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (eSIM + nano SIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor Satellite SOS; 7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; IP68 dust and water resistance; Video Boost with 8K Upscaling; Macro Focus on ultrawide; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass; 3,000-nit peak brightness; 45W fast charging (charger not included); 15W wireless charging with Google Pixel Stand (second gen); 12W wireless Qi-charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (eSIM + nano SIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor Satellite SOS; 7 years of OS, security and Pixel feature drops; IP68 dust and water resistance; Video Boost with 8K Upscaling; Macro Focus on ultrawide; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass; 3,000-nit peak brightness; 45W fast charging (charger not included); 15W wireless charging with Google Pixel Stand (second gen); 12W wireless Qi-charging; Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (eSIM + nano SIM); Add Me; Best Take; Magic Eraser; Magic Editor
US price starts at $499 (128GB) $799 (128GB) $999 (128GB) $1,099 (128GB)
UK price starts at Converts to £385 (128GB) Converts to £640 (128GB) Converts to £780 (128GB) Converts to £860 (128GB)
Australia price starts at Converts to AU$780 (128GB) Converts to AU$1,210 (128GB) Converts to AU$1,510 (128GB) Converts to AU$1,670 (128GB)

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, April 6

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 6.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword has my favorite Australian cartoon as an answer. If you’re a fan of Bingo, Bandit and Chilli, you’ll nail that answer. Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get at those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Nibble : food :: ___ : drink
Answer: SIP

4A clue: Like a kid doodling in class, maybe
Answer: BORED

6A clue: Popular Disney+ show about a family of Australian cattle dogs
Answer: BLUEY

7A clue: Fill in, as a puzzle
Answer: SOLVE

8A clue: Perceive
Answer: SEE

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Some first-chair performances in an orchestra
Answer: SOLOS

2D clue: «Go me!»
Answer: IRULE

3D clue: Loud chewing or talking during a movie, e.g.
Answer: PEEVE

4D clue: Ammo for a Red Ryder rifle
Answer: BBS

5D clue: Part of an Easter egg kit
Answer: DYE

How to play more Mini Crosswords

The New York Times Games section offers a large number of online games, but only some of them are free for all to play. You can play the current day’s Mini Crossword for free, but you’ll need a subscription to the Times Games section to play older puzzles from the archives.

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for April 6, #665

Find hints and answers for the New York Times’ Connections puzzle for Sunday, April 6.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections puzzle was a challenging one. The yellow and green categories were pretty easy, but I struggled with blue and purple. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group, to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: We’re not close.

Green group hint: Pay the bills.

Blue group hint: Don’t get a shock!

Purple group hint: Think 420.

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Aloof.

Green group: Utilities.

Blue group: What an electrometer measures.

Purple group: ____ joint.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is aloof. The four answers are cool, distant, remote and removed.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is utilities. The four answers are cable, gas, trash and water.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is what an eletrometer measures. The four answers are charge, current, resistance and voltage.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ joint. The four answers are dovetail, hip, pizza and Spike Lee.

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 6, #195

Hints and answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 195, for Sunday, April 6.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Is it just me, or is Connections: Sports Edition getting tougher each week? Or am I getting dumber? Fight fans, you might do all right today, but there was one compound word in your category (green) that I literally have never heard before. Read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.  

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Get out of here.

Green group hint: It happens in the octagon.

Blue group hint: They call it football.

Purple group hint: Not on…

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Part ways.

Green group: MMA terms.

Blue group: English soccer clubs.

Purple group: ____ off.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is part ways. The four answers are dismiss, fire, oust and sack.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is MMA terms. The four answers are armbar, choke, clinch and submission.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is English soccer clubs. The four answers are Burnley, Leeds, Stoke and Watford.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ off. The four answers are face, lead, tip and walk.

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