The new Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro handsets are pushing Google’s view of a modern AI-powered smartphone with its flagship devices. Still, for those who are happy to be one step behind the bleeding edge of the artificial intelligence revolution, there is another option in the Pixel 9a. The latest offers in the Google Store make the 9a one of the best value-for-money handsets on sale today.
The Value Of The Google Pixel 9a
For the last three years, Google has settled into launching the flagship-level Pixel smartphones in the late summer months, typically a vanilla numbered Pixel, a Pixel Pro, a Pixel Pro xL and a Pixel Fold. These exhibit all the features, specs and promotions that you find from any flagship range.
The more aggressive handset comes six months later in the form of a Pixel A. The newest of these is the Pixel 9a. Launched in March 2025, if brought the then latest Tensor G4 chipset, a camera matching that in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and tight integration into Google’s Gemini software suite, both through local models and cloud-based services.
Priced at $499 for the 128 GB model, it brought Google’s AI-focused hardware to the mid-range at a competitive price. It comfortably matched the opposition and was called out by many reviewers as “the best mid-range phone by a wide margin.” Now imagine that same phone, but with $100 off the sticker price.
Google’s Pixel 9a Offer
Google is currently offering the Pixel 9a to US customers for $399. The 256 GB model is available at the same discount, bringing the price to $499. The next few months will see other manufacturers introduce not just their latest flagships but also bring in phones at the mid-range. The latter will provide more competition to the Pixel 9a.
There will be a tranche of mid-range “flagship killer” smartphones that will ship with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets that have their own focus on supporting AI. Yet it’s unlikely that they will match the value for money that a $399 Pixel 9a can offer.
Google Is The Pixel 9a’s Biggest Competitor
There is one in-house option for Pixel fans that may prompt a moment of pause. Google’s recent refresh on the Pixel Refurbished store includes the appearance of refurbished Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro models for the first time. The 128 GB model is available with a $210 discount, now priced at $489. That puts it $10 under the list price of a new Pixel 9a.
Without the current $100 discount, there’s a clear balance between the handsets. The Pixel 8 comes out on top with faster charging and a larger primary camera lens. The Pixel 9a features the newer Tensor G4 chipset, a larger display, increased battery capacity, and a longer support window (although both come with seven years of updates and patches from their respective launch dates). For those looking for an all-rounder, the Pixel 9a is a more attractive option.
The Pixel 9a Black Friday Offers
While the current $100 discount may not be available for long, Google will announce a range of Black Friday deals later this week. When they do arrive, the savvy buyer will make a beeline for the Pixel 9a and check if the $399 special offer is still available.
Now read the latest Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro offers in the Google Store…