The Google Pixel 9a is now officially available in Malaysia starting from 16 April 2025 at RM2699, making it the most affordable or entry-level Pixel smartphone in the Pixel 9 series. While it may seem a bit strange to call a phone at that price range entry-level, it still offers Gemini AI features, a Google Tensor G4 chipset, plus 7 years of Android and security updates.
For Malaysian consumers, you can finally get the latest official Google phone locally for below RM3K. The Pixel 9a also marks itself apart from the rest of the series as the only smartphone with a nearly flat rear camera design. How does it perform against its other Gemini AI-powered siblings? Find out in our full review of the Google Pixel 9a below.
Design – Simple and functional, with a touch of Pixel identity
The Google Pixel 9 uses a 6.3-inch pOLED display with a punch hole for the 13MP front camera
From a design perspective, the Pixel 9a is somewhat polarizing since all the others have that iconic camera visor look and massive rear camera hump but the Pixel 9a does not. Instead, it goes for a nearly flat rear backside with 48MP + 13MP rear cameras.
This gives it a flatter look, which we feel is both sleeker and more practical as it should fit easier in most pockets and bags. But, for those who actually liked how the camera visor made the Pixel 9 series look different, it might be a minus.
Unlike the other Pixel 9 series the Pixel 9a has a nearly flat plastic backside with no camera visor-like design. The only thing marking it as a Google device is the Google logo on the back.
The metal chassis feels solid
The dual rear cameras are nearly flat, but the overall design of the Pixel 9a remains true to the current "template" of flat sides and rounded corners
However, for practically everything else, the Pixel 9a is more or less identical, compared to the other Pixel 9 smartphones. This includes the current well-known "template" of flat sides and rounded corners, with the aluminium chassis giving it a premium feel.
Thankfully, the plastic backside of the Pixel 9a isn't too apparent as at first glance it looks and feels just like any metal-backed smartphone. However, it does seem to attract fingerprints, so you might want to use the official case.
The official Pixel 9a case
The back of the case feels like silicone
At least it doesn't make the Pixel 9a feel like a thick brick
Google Malaysia was also kind enough to supply the official Pixel 9a case. Thanks to the flatter camera hump, the case doesn't make the Pixel 9a feel like a brick at all, so if you're into sleeker Pixels, you should probably get one.
On the front, the 6.3-inch pOLED screen maintains a peak brightness of up to 2700 nits, making it easy to see under direct sunlight. While there's a punch hole on the top for the 13MP front camera, the rest of the screen has fairly slim bezels which gives it a compact look.
The phone has an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, which means it can withstand being submerged at about 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes. Our review unit came in Obsidian (black), but there are also Porcelain (white), Iris (purple) and Peony (pink).
Tech Specs and Features – A few less AI tools, long-term updates and practical hardware
Here's a breakdown of the Google Pixel 9a’s main tech specs and features:
- Display: 6.3-inch FHD+ pOLED screen, 120Hz refresh rate, peak brightness up to 2700 nits
- Processor: Google Tensor G4
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 128GB UFS 3.1 (non-expandable)
- Rear Cameras: 48MP main sensor + 13MP ultrawide
- Front Camera: 13MP
- Battery: 5100mAh with 23W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging
- Operating System: Android 15, with 7 years of OS and security updates
- Durability: IP68 dust and water resistance
- Audio: Stereo speakers
- Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C
- AI Features: Gemini Live, Magic Editor, Best Take, Call Assist, on-device translation
- Colours Available in Malaysia: Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, Peony
The Google Pixel 9a only has space for a single nano SIM card
Stock Android feels very clean and smooth
While the Pixel 9a shares many features and tech specs with the other Pixel 9 series, the obvious decrease here is the memory, with just 128GB for storage and 8GB of RAM. There is a 256GB storage version, but you'll have to add another RM500 for a total price of RM3199. However, considering there's no support for external memory like a microSD card, you should probably get that variant if you don't like worrying about storage space.
Gemini AI remains available even on this entry-level model. However, certain features like Zoom Enhance and Pan Shot aren't available. We do like that you can now set the time for Long Exposure shots instead of letting the AI decide for you completely but more on that in the performance section.
You can now create images of people in the Pixel Studio on the Google Pixel 9a
Magic Editor in the Photos app requires you to upload photos before you can use it. On the bright side, the phone has the same Magic erase and Suggestion features as the other Pixel 9 devices. Pixel Studio can now generate people but doesn't always work correctly.
For example, while we could generate 2 people according to the prompt of 1 Malay person and 1 Chinese person shaking hands, adding another person such as an Indian messes things up, causing all three to become Malay or two to become Indian.
Audio Eraser makes an appearance here just like in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Still, this does give a good amount of more options. For video editing, there's also Audio Eraser, which we found to be just as competent in the Pixel 9a as in the Samsung Galaxy S25 series. There's also a Pan video option for better video stabilisation.
Just like the other Pixel 9 devices, the stock Android interface is smooth and bloatware-free. It also means you have to manually install social media apps like Facebook and Instagram. The Pixel 9 still retains up to 7 years of updates though.
Performance – Surprisingly good enough for most things, even gaming
Geekbench 6 scores are upper midrange at best
Nonetheless, the Pixel 9a can deliver good performance where it counts
Our benchmarks revealed maxed-out performance in 3DMark for the normal Wild Life benchmark but rather poor results for the higher-end Steel Nomad Light. This is also reflected in Geekbench 6, which showed just above midrange performance compared to a last-generation flagship.
For our usual gaming tests, the Pixel 9a can easily handle Genshin Impact even on high settings. However, it does make the phone rather toasty and will really drain the battery very fast. If you don't game that much, battery life is quite long, lasting almost 2 days on normal usage.
Genshin Impact (Max Settings) on the Pixel 9a
Even with just 48MP + 13MP dual rear cameras, macro photography on the Pixel 9a is still awesome, easily capturing super close-up shots with fine details. However, anything past 3x zoom tends to be rather blurry.
Thankfully, you can unblur it to a certain extent in the Google Photos app. The handheld Long Exposure mode is just as good as before. But now you can also control how long the shot is rather than leave it entirely to the AI (thanks for listening, Google Malaysia!). Unfortunately, there's no Pan action shot now too.
You can now actively control the time duration for the Long Exposure mode
The Google Pixel signature Add Me mode lets you take group photos afterwards but the addition seems to have slightly different lighting and tone compared to the initial shot
Unfortunately, the trademark Add Me feature is still rather buggy. While it works in traditional settings, trying anything outside of the box like angled shots results in the interface demanding weird distances and positions, often resulting in not exactly the shot we were hoping for. The additional photo also often has slightly different lighting and tone, compared to the original shot.
Perhaps because I'm too used to 10x zoom and above, I feel that the 8x digital zoom is a bit constraining now. However, the Pixel 9a easily excels in most other photography situations, like low-light and daytime shots. Check out our samples below.
Auto - Daytime shots look just fine
Auto - Sunrise
Macro - The Pixel 9a easily handles macro shots
This closeup macro shot of this really small flower captures all the details, even the cobwebs on the petals
Auto - The Pixel 9a handles daytime shots with ease
However, details become a bit blurry on 5x ~ 8x zoom
The Pixel 9a's Long Exposure mode lets you take Silky Water shots without a tripod
You can easily capture light trails in low light with the Long Exposure mode on the Pixel 9a
Portrait mode works well with pretty natural segregation between the blurred background and the subject
Gemini is still somewhat faster on the Pixel 9a compared to other phones. But you still only have access to Gemini in the Gmail app. You can still use it to do most work, but you will need some prompting skills to make it do exactly what you want.
Conclusion – A more accessible Google Pixel with long-term value for Malaysians?
Looking for a reliable AI-powered phone under RM3000 in Malaysia? The Pixel 9a is one of the few devices that offers long-term software support, a clean Android experience, and AI features like Magic Editor and Gemini Live at a competitive price.
The Google Pixel 9a
However, given its RM2699 price tag, it's hard to think of the Pixel 9a as an "entry-level" device. Most devices in this price range tend to be upper mid-range. Nonetheless, it still delivers in the aspects that most Pixel 9 devices are known for which include macro photography and AI.
Still, if you go for this variant, you may have to limit the number of apps you install, as these days, 128GB of storage can get used up in a flash (especially with Genshin Impact). Given that the 256GB version is already RM3199, it's just a bit more to get the Google Pixel 9 for RM3699.
Here's what else you can find in the box of the Google Pixel 9a
It does offer you more options though, so, if you like a flatter, more compact (and more affordable) Pixel device, the Pixel 9a is the one for you. If you're a fan of the bigger camera visor design, slightly better zoom and more memory, then you should go for the Pixel 9.
Other contenders include the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus which offer similar AI features and better zoom but maybe not as good macro shots. There's also the OPPO Reno 13 Pro, which can handle underwater situations.
The Google Pixel 9a comes with Gemini AI
The Pixel 9a's hardware may not be the highest or fastest, but it ticks the right boxes for most uses, including gaming. It's also good for photography, especially if you're into macro or close-up shots and can handle minimal zoom shoots.
What do you think? Are you planning to get the Pixel 9a to try Google's Gemini AI in Malaysia? Share your thoughts in the comments below and for more reviews and local coverage on tech products, stay tuned to TechNave.com.
COMMENTS