20 Oct 2025
The Google Pixel 9A is evaluated for its value as an Android phone in the 60-70 toman price range. While offering a pure Android experience and significant software update support, its design choices, performance limitations, and local market pricing raise questions about its overall worth.
The Google Pixel 9A is introduced as an Android phone positioned in the 60 to 70 toman price range in the Iranian market, although it is not categorized as a true mid-range device. Globally, it costs around $500, drawing comparisons with the iPhone 16, which is priced at $600 internationally.
The phone features a plastic back cover and Gorilla Glass 3 protecting the front display. Unlike previous generations, the signature Pixel camera protrusion is now sunken, preventing the phone from wobbling when placed on flat surfaces. The device's increased thickness of 8-9 millimeters accommodates a larger battery, and antenna lines are visible around its plastic body.
The plastic back is susceptible to scratches, particularly in the black color variant, making a protective case advisable. The Pixel 9A boasts an IP68 certification for water and dust resistance, an improvement over the Pixel 8a's IP67 rating.
The bottom edge integrates a Type-C port, SIM card tray, microphone, and speaker. The power button and volume controls are positioned on the right edge, with the power button inconveniently located above the volume buttons, contrasting with common ergonomic designs.
The front panel's display is characterized by weak 'fringe features' and noticeably large bezels, which are considered a significant aesthetic drawback. The screen is a 120Hz panel, providing good brightness and overall quality, despite concerns about the bezel size. Many users do not fully utilize the 120Hz refresh rate capability.
A 5100 mAh battery, the largest capacity seen in a Pixel phone to date, offers nearly a full day of usage. Gaming for an hour consumes approximately 13-15 percent of the battery. Wired charging supports 23 watts, requiring 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 35 minutes for a complete charge. Wireless charging is available at 7.5 watts via Qi technology but is not recommended due to the absence of a magnetic attachment.
The phone is equipped with an under-display fingerprint sensor that performs its function cleanly and effectively.
The main camera system includes a 48-megapixel sensor and a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. Photos are generally appealing due to balanced light metering and dynamic range, though they do not offer exceptional sharpness or color accuracy when critically compared to flagship cameras. Night and portrait photos are deemed good.
Video recording is supported at 30 and 60 frames per second, delivering stable footage with minimal vibration. However, videos exhibit a lack of contrast, appearing somewhat hazy when juxtaposed with an iPhone, which is renowned for its superior video capabilities.
The 13-megapixel selfie camera notably lacks autofocus, making it challenging to maintain sharp focus with slight hand movements. While selfie photos are clean and bright with good dynamic range, detail can be lost in darker areas, and noise might be present.
The phone utilizes the Tensor G4 processor, which performs well for general Android usage and social media. However, it is not optimized for gaming; extended gaming sessions can introduce lag and bugs, indicating that the Tensor G series is still in development, despite Google's aspirations to rival Snapdragon processors.
Running pure, raw Android, the device provides a clean and streamlined user interface with limited customization options. Google's AI features, such as Circle to Search and Gemini, are integrated, though their functionality in Iran may necessitate region changes and VPNs. The Pixel 9A stands out with an impressive commitment to 7 years of software updates.
The phone experiences antenna problems, manifesting as weak WiFi and cellular reception in certain locations. This issue, attributed to a potentially weak internal sensor chip, could lead to unreliable connectivity.
The stereo speakers deliver a normal volume, but their sound separation is not optimal, and overall audio performance is considered inferior to the iPhone 16's speakers.
The Pixel 9A's price of 68,500 tomans in the Iranian market is deemed unattractive, especially given that the Pixel 8 Pro, a superior model, is available for a comparable 72,000 tomans. The ultimate purchase decision often hinges on the user's preference for either the Android or iOS ecosystem (comparing it to the iPhone 16). For users seeking a more affordable pure Android experience, the Pixel 8A, priced at 60,000 tomans, serves as an alternative. While recommended for those prioritizing raw Android and long-term updates over gaming or cutting-edge hardware, its current 'bubble price' makes it a questionable investment.
The Google Pixel 9A delivers a clean Android experience with extended update support, but its high price in the Iranian market makes it less attractive compared to more capable alternatives like the Pixel 8 Pro.
| Key Aspect | Detail | Summary/Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Materials | Plastic back, Gorilla Glass 3 front, 8-9mm thickness, sunken camera bumper. Lacks the distinctive 'Pixel DNA'. | Requires a protective case due to plastic back's scratch susceptibility. Thicker for larger battery. Design loses unique Pixel identity. |
| Durability | IP68 certification for water and dust resistance (upgrade from Pixel 8a's IP67). | Enhanced protection against elements, improving overall device resilience. |
| Battery & Charging | 5100 mAh battery (largest in a Pixel phone), provides almost a full day of use. 23W wired charging (1h 20m - 1h 35m for full charge). 7.5W Qi wireless charging without magnetic attachment. | Good battery life but slow charging speeds. Wireless charging is impractical due to lack of secure magnetic grip. |
| Display | 120Hz panel with good brightness and quality, but features noticeably large bezels (text implies weak 'fringe features' and large bezels). | Bezels are a significant visual drawback, though the high refresh rate and quality are positives. 120Hz often goes unnoticed by users. |
| Camera System | 48MP main, 13MP ultrawide, 13MP selfie. Photos offer good light metering and dynamic range but lack flagship-level sharpness/detail. Selfie camera lacks autofocus. Videos (30/60fps) are stable but exhibit low contrast, appearing hazy compared to iPhones. | Main camera delivers pleasing but not highly detailed photos. Selfie camera is hindered by missing autofocus. Video quality is notably weaker than competitors, especially the iPhone. |
| Performance | Tensor G4 processor. Adequate for general Android use and social media. Not optimized for gaming, showing lag and bugs with prolonged play. | Suitable for daily tasks but not recommended for serious mobile gaming. The Tensor G series needs further development to compete effectively. |
| Software & Updates | Pure, raw Android experience with a commitment to 7 years of software updates. Integrates Google AI features (Circle to Search, Gemini). | Offers an excellent, long-lasting software experience with immediate Android updates. AI features may require VPN/region changes in certain markets. |
| Connectivity | Exhibits antenna problems, leading to weak WiFi and cellular reception in some areas, potentially due to a weak internal sensor chip. | Unreliable connectivity can be a significant inconvenience for users, impacting daily usage. |
| Audio | Stereo speakers with normal volume but poor sound separation. Considered inferior to iPhone 16 speakers. | Mediocre audio experience, lacking clarity and depth compared to rivals. |
| Market Value (Iranian Market) | Current price of 68,500 tomans. Pixel 8 Pro (72,000 tomans) offers superior features for a marginal price increase. Choice between Pixel 9A and iPhone 16 depends on ecosystem preference. | Overpriced in the Iranian market, making the Pixel 8 Pro a much better value proposition. Purchase decision heavily influenced by user's preferred ecosystem (Android vs. iOS). |
