Technologies

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?

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)

Technologies

Tinder Users Must Start Logging In With Their Faces, Starting Nationwide

The social app now has new US requirements including face identification to help quell longstanding problems with catfishing and more.

US Tinder users will find a new feature when they open up the dating app starting Wednesday: A mandatory Face Check on their phones will be required before they can log into their profiles.

The Face Check step will begin with a new request to record a video of your face, a more casual version of setting up Apple’s Face ID login. Tinder will then run checks comparing your face data to your current profile pics and automatically create a small face badge for your profile. We already know how it works, because Tinder has already launched the feature in Canada and California before the full US rollout.

The technology, powered by FaceTec, will keep biometric data of the user’s face in encrypted form but discard the scanning video for privacy. Tinder will be able to use the face data to detect duplicate accounts, in an effort to cut down on fake profiles and identity theft.

Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.

Tinder’s facial recognition rollout is also made to prevent catfishing, or people pretending to be someone else on Tinder to scam or blackmail them. But that also points to a deeper problem on the rise in dating apps — a growing number of bots, many controlled by AI, are designed to glean personal information or fool users into scammy subscriptions, among other problems.

Tinder’s working against these bots on several fronts, including this Face Check push as well as ID Check, which requires a government-issued ID and other types of photo verification.

The dating app also recently released a feature in June to enable double-dating with your friends, which Tinder reports is especially popular with Gen Z users. If you’re worried about the latest hazards on Tinder, we have guide to safety practices.

A representative for Tinder did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, Oct. 23

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 23.

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.

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.

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 to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Like some weather, memories and I.P.A.s
Answer: HAZY

5A clue: Statement that’s self-evidently true
Answer: AXIOM

7A clue: Civic automaker
Answer: HONDA

8A clue: What fear leads to, as Yoda told a young Anakin
Answer: ANGER

9A clue: Foxlike
Answer: SLY

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Verbal «lol»
Answer: HAHA

2D clue: Brain signal transmitter
Answer: AXON

3D clue: Hits with a witty comeback
Answer: ZINGS

4D clue: Sing at the top of a mountain, maybe
Answer: YODEL

6D clue: Name of the famous «Queen of Scots»
Answer: MARY

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Oct. 23 #599

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Oct. 23, No. 599.

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

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle might be Halloween-themed, as the answers are all rather dangerous. Some of them are a bit tough to unscramble, so if you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: Please don’t eat me!

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: Remember Mr. Yuk?

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

POND, NOON, NODE, BALE, SOCK, LOVE, LOCK, MOCK, LEER, REEL, GLOVE, DAIS, LEAN, LEAD, REEL

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers: