Technologies

Google Pixel 9A’s New Design Might Raise Eyebrows, but the Price Is Right

The $499 Pixel 9A is a follow-up to one of our favorite phones from 2024, the Pixel 8A. Google kept the price under $500 and added a big, 5,100-mAh battery.

Editor’s note: The Pixel 9A is now in stores. Make sure to read CNET’s Pixel 9A review.

The newly announced Google Pixel 9A has big shoes to fill. The affordable phone is the follow-up to one of my favorite phones from 2024, the Pixel 8A, which earned a CNET Editors’ Choice Award. With the Pixel 8A, Google found a sweet spot in terms of features, battery life, long-term software support and overall value. Fortunately, on paper, the Pixel 9A seems like an upgrade in nearly every way to last year’s Pixel 8A.

But the Pixel 9A faces added pressure, as its launch comes on the heels of Apple’s «affordable» phone, the $599 iPhone 16E. The new iPhone, while being the cheapest one Apple sells, is still well beyond the $500 sweet spot that the best affordable phones manage to hit. Fortunately, Google didn’t follow Apple and kept the Pixel 9A’s price at $499 (£499, AU$849), which puts it more in reach for people with a tighter budget, especially as US tariffs take hold and drive the cost of goods higher.

I used the Pixel 9A for about half an hour and was impressed with its build (it feels incredibly solid) and aspects of its new design. I genuinely like that the Pixel 9A’s back is nearly completely flat. However, the phone lacks the distinctive camera bar found on the rest of the Pixel 9 series, diminishing some of the Pixel 9A’s Pixel-ness, at least in appearance. Otherwise, on the screen and under the hood, it’s as Pixel as they come.

The Pixel 9A will be available at the Google Store and at retailers beginning April 10.

Pixel 9A design

The Pixel 9A looks different from recent Pixel A models. Like the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, the Pixel 9A has flat sides instead of the curved ones on the Pixel 8A. But Google’s design approach to the Pixel 9A challenges the boundaries of minimalism. The back of the phone is almost completely flat, with the camera bump sticking out just a hair. When I run my fingertip across the back, my nail catches on the lip of the camera bump, but not by much.

The Pixel 9A is a rarity in 2025: It can lay completely flat on a table or desk. It doesn’t wobble, though the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro with a camera bar don’t wobble either. But the Pixel 9A’s flat design takes things to the next level. And I am all-in on the Pixel 9A’s flat design.

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

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But the lack of a camera bar seems like a bit of a miss, as I had always found it visually striking on previous Google phones. The bar helped distinguish the Pixel from other brands’ handsets. And while most people will hardly ever see the Pixel 9A in its birthday suit, instead opting to clothe it in a case, the Pixel 9A looks more generic than eye-catching.

In the tug-of-war between form and function, Google went for function and, as a result, says the Pixel 9A is the most durable Pixel A device it has made. The back is made from 81% recycled plastic. I know some people will roll their eyes because of the plastic, but it looks good and still felt solid when I picked it up, and it likely helps keep the cost down. The phone has an IP68 rating for water dust resistance (compared with the Pixel 8A’s IP67 rating), meaning it can be submerged in water as deep as 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

The Pixel 9A is available in four colors: obsidian, porcelain, peony and iris. In person, I really liked the iris color.

The Pixel 9A has a 6.3-inch display encapsulated in a body nearly identical (it’s a skosh taller) to the Pixel 8A, which had a 6.1-inch display. The display’s peak brightness is 2,700 nits, which is nice step up from the 8A’s screen, which could hit 2,000 nits. So it’ll be interesting to see how its screen looks outdoors, especially under some bright California sunlight. On paper, the screen seems identical to the one on the regular Pixel 9.

Pixel 9A camera

In terms of photography, the Pixel 9A has a 48-megapixel main camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide. The new main camera supports Google’s Macro Focus, which means you can get close to your subject — think like a food photo — and have it be in focus. In fact, Google accomplishes this with the main camera instead of using the ultrawide camera like many other phones do.

As for resolution, the Pixel 9A’s 48-megapixel main camera is a step down from the 64-megapixel main camera on the Pixel 8A. But more megapixels isn’t necessarily better, as Google proved for years leaning on its software to boost its photography over other phones with higher-megapixel cameras.

Also, the Pixel 9A has a smorgasbord of AI goodies found on the more expensive Pixel 9 and 9 Pro, such as Best Take for better portraits, Photo Unblur, Magic Editor for removing distractions, Night Sight for low-light photos and more. The 9A even has Add Me, which uses AR and AI to let photographers add themselves to a group photo. I’ve used Add Me on my Pixel 9 Pro several times and am always impressed with the results.

Previous Pixel A phones have always had a solid B camera that exceeded its price. I don’t think the Pixel 9A’s shooters will be as good as the ones on the Pixel 9 or 9 Pro, but I’m excited to see how they hold up, especially with the new 48-megapixel sensor.

Pixel 9A performance and battery

The Pixel 9A runs on Google’s Tensor G4 chip, the same one found in the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. That means it can support Google AI features and Gemini. Notably, the Pixel 9A comes with 8GB of RAM instead of the 12GB found on the Pixel 9 and the 16GB on the 9 Pro. But even with less RAM, Google guarantees the Pixel 9A will receive seven years of major Android OS and security updates (it comes out of the box running Android 15).

While the Tensor G4 chip didn’t win any awards for its performance in benchmark tests for computations or graphics, we found it plenty capable when we tested it in the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. Whether it was playing games, mindlessly scrolling news and social feeds, or just editing a photo, the G4 chip consistently performed well in everyday use. I hope the same will be true when I get to test the Pixel 9A.

In terms of power, Google says that the Pixel 9A has the largest battery of any Pixel A device. When I saw the battery’s capacity listed as 5,100 mAh, I double-checked that I wasn’t reading the specs for Samsung’s new Galaxy A phones announced at MWC. Technically, the Pixel 9A’s battery is bigger than that of any in Samsung’s new phones, including the $1,300 Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Pixel 9A final thoughts for now

In terms of everything else, the Pixel 9A has all the Pixel features you’d expect: everything from theft protection and Family Link (for limiting access and sharing) to Google services like Gmail and Maps. Surprisingly, the new phone doesn’t get Satellite SOS connectivity like the rest of the Pixel 9 line, but compromises always have to be made to help keep the price down.

The Pixel 9A comes with either 128GB or 256GB of storage, three months of Google One, three months of YouTube Premium and six months of Fitbit Premium. I look forward to spending more time testing the Pixel 9A for a full review, once I can get my hands on it.

Google Pixel 9A specs vs. Pixel 8A, Pixel 9

	Google Pixel 9A	Google Pixel 8A	Google Pixel 9
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate	6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate	6.1-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels, 60-120Hz variable refresh rate	6.3-inch OLED; 2,424×1,080 pixels; 60-120 Hz variable refresh rate
Pixel density	422 ppi	430 ppi	422 ppi
Dimensions (inches)	6.1 x 2.9 x 0.4 in	6 x 2.9 x 0.4 in	6 x 2.8 x 0.3 in
Dimensions (millimeters)	154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm	152 x 74 x 10.2 mm	152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm
Weight (grams, ounces)	186g (6.6 oz)	193 g (6.7 oz)	198g (7 oz)
Mobile software	Android 15	Android 14	Android 14
Camera	48-megapixel (wide), 13-megapixel (ultrawide)	64-megapixel (main), 13-megapixel (ultrawide)	50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide)
Front-facing camera	13-megapixel	13-megapixel	10.5-megapixel
Video capture	4K	4K	4K
Processor	Google Tensor G4	Google Tensor G3	Google Tensor G4
RAM + storage	8GB + 128GB, 256GB	8GB + 128GB, 256GB	12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB
Expandable storage	None	None	None
Battery	5,100 mAh	4,492 mAh	4,700 mAh
Fingerprint sensor	Under display	Under display	Under display
Connector	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	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	IP67 rating dust and water resistance; 18W fast charging; 7.5W wireless charging; 5G (5G sub6 / mmWave); VPN by Google One; Circle to Search; 7 years Android OS updates; 7 years security updates; Best Take; Audio Magic Eraser; Wi-Fi 6E; NFC; Bluetooth 5.3; dual-SIM (nano SIM + eSIM)	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
US price starts at	$499 (128GB)	$499 (128GB)	$799 (128GB)
UK price starts at	£499 (128GB)	£499 (128GB)	£799 (128GB)
Australian price starts at	AU$849 (128GB)	AU$849 (128GB)	AU$1,349 (128GB)

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Tuesday, June 10

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for June 10.

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 isn’t too tough. And 5-Down celebrates a certain summer blockbuster movie that’s about to turn 50. 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 to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Displays at a trailhead
Answer: MAPS

5A clue: Pulitzer-winning 2024 novel that reimagined «Adventures of Huckleberry Finn» from the perspective of Jim
Answer: JAMES

6A clue: Invader in a sci-fi movie
Answer: ALIEN

7A clue: Thin strands
Answer: WISPS

8A clue: ‘Tude
Answer: SASS

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: One of Michelle Obama’s daughters
Answer: MALIA

2D clue: A little out of whack
Answer: AMISS

3D clue: Marshmallow treats in Easter baskets
Answer: PEEPS

4D clue: I.R.S. IDs
Answer: SSNS

5D clue: 1975 film with a 25-foot animatronic shark
Answer: JAWS

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.

Technologies

Samsung Says Its Next Galaxy Z Foldables Will Be Its ‘Thinnest, Lightest’

The company shares yet another teaser for its upcoming devices.

Another week, another cryptic teaser for Samsung’s upcoming foldables.

On Monday, the company said in a blog post that its «newest Galaxy Z series is the thinnest, lightest and most advanced foldable yet.» This comes after Samsung last week teased a foldable packing «an Ultra-experience,» including a «powerful camera» and «AI-powered tools.»

Now, it appears Samsung is borrowing from the design of another one of its phones, the slim and lightweight Galaxy S25 Edge. It’s also following in the footsteps of another skinny foldable, the Oppo Find N5, which is dubbed «the world’s thinnest book-style foldable when closed.» Whether Oppo will hold onto that title after Samsung’s reveal remains to be seen.

In its post, Samsung notes that, «it’s only natural that users desire a foldable device that is as easy to carry as it is to use. To that end, Samsung engineers and designers are refining each generation of the Galaxy Z series to be thinner, lighter and more durable than the last.»

Personally, I’m all for a thinner and lighter foldable; the Galaxy S25 Edge and Oppo Find N5 really opened my eyes to how much more enjoyable using a slim and lightweight device can be. I can see the Galaxy Z Fold especially benefitting from this redesign, since the Z Fold 6 is still pretty bulky. But even a slim Galaxy Z Flip could help revive the nostalgia of a skinny flip phone, perhaps even better than the modern-day Motorola Razr.

Samsung’s new Galaxy Z foldables are slated to arrive in the summer, and it appears the company will keep dropping hints about what’s in store leading up to the full reveal.

Technologies

Microsoft Just Dropped a Free AI Video Tool, and It’s Wildly Easy to Use

Bing Video Creator is live on mobile now, but desktop and Copilot Search support is coming soon.

Microsoft has a new, free tool that lets you create AI-generated videos: the Bing Video Creator.

If you’ve ever wanted to turn a quick idea into a video without touching editing software, Microsoft’s new AI tool might be your next favorite trick. The company just rolled out Bing Video Creator, a free feature that lets you generate short videos from nothing but a text prompt. No fancy skills or timeline scrubbing required. Just type in your idea and let the AI do the rest.

When I gave it a spin, it took less than a minute to churn out a five-second clip of the Bing logo bobbing in a pool alongside a flamingo and donut floatie. It’s weird, fun, and kind of impressive, especially for a free tool that lives right inside your browser. If you’re curious about what this AI video generator can do (or just want to make a goofy summer-themed clip), here’s how it works and what to expect.

The feature is only available on the Bing Search mobile app right now but it will be coming to Windows desktops and Copilot Search, according to the company, and is powered by OpenAI’s Sora video technology. Bing Video Creator joins other major AI-driven video creation tools, including Sora from ChatGPT, Adobe Firefly, Google Veo, Runway and Meta Movie Gen.

You can check out what Google’s latest Veo 3 feature can do for those willing to pay for Gemini Ultra. The technology is moving quickly, with more options now available, some free and others for a fee or purchasing them in AI service subscriptions.

How to use Bing Video Creator

Finding or using the Bing Video Creator isn’t instantly intuitive, especially if you’re not already using the Bing Search app. In the Bing Search app, I accessed the feature by clicking on the box on the bottom right of the home screen.

That brings up lots of apps within the app. Look for Video Creator on the bottom left. There, you can create a still image or video by typing in a text prompt. Using the Fast option, which is the default, should generate the short video in moments.

You can also type «Create a video of…» directly in the app’s main search bar if you don’t want to hunt for the feature. You can download and share the video.

When I tried it out, I found the video was not very high quality and was not easy to download directly from the app. Sharing a link to the video creation and viewing it outside the app offers an option to download the full video.

Microsoft says it will keep your video creations available for 90 days.

Choice of AI video generators

Microsoft’s entry into AI video making is giving people another free option that seems geared toward casual users.

Many who work in AI businesses, such as Matt Psencik, director of security and product design research at Tanium, are following the rollout of these products, led by Sora last year. Psencik says one of them has been most impressive.

«Google’s launch of Veo 3 for Gemini is a standout,» he tells me, «in object permanence, realistic physics and overall visual fidelity. These developments are beginning to erase the line between ‘clearly AI-generated’ and ‘convincingly real.’ «

The risks, Psencik says, is that realistic video generation could be exploited with deepfakes or used to attempt to hijack someone else’s identity. Most of the AI video generators have guardrails or filters on what kind of content users can request to generate, whether it’s to avoid copyright issues or to prevent hate speech and propaganda.

But, Psencik tells me, that’s not stopping AI bots from posting fake videos online that many people can’t tell apart from reality.

«As AI-generated video becomes nearly indistinguishable from reality, it’s only a matter of time before these tools are regularly weaponized to impersonate real people at scale,» he says.