The Google Pixel 9a is the highly streamlined phone we've been anticipating.

      I’ve never been bothered by a camera bump before. They’re simply a part of modern smartphone design, as manufacturers cram larger and more advanced cameras into limited spaces along with processors, batteries, and various other technologies. However, my experience with the Google Pixel 9a over the past few days has shown me that a sleek design can be incredibly appealing.

      Is it really that different?

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      The Google Pixel 9a lacks the now-familiar Pixel visor or island for the cameras. Instead, its two cameras are housed within a stadium-shaped glass module that is almost flush with the back panel. It's slightly elevated by about a millimeter, which is only noticeable to the touch. A flash unit is integrated into the back of the Pixel 9a as well.

      Its look sets it apart from almost every other modern smartphone, and its unique appearance could almost be seen as a bold design decision. Beyond aesthetics, what are the practical advantages? There are two key benefits. Firstly, the Pixel 9a has an excellent balance since there's no bulky camera module adding extra weight or interfering with where your fingers typically rest. It feels much nicer to hold in both portrait and landscape orientations compared to many other phones that aren’t as slim.

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      The second benefit relates to daily usability. It slides in and out of pockets effortlessly and doesn't snag on anything. This might seem minor, but once you realize you're not struggling to get your phone in and out of your pocket, it becomes apparent. It also lays mostly flat on a table—another rarity in today's world of periscope zoom cameras and large sensors. While I still want those features, they aren’t necessary for every smartphone, and Google has demonstrated that oversized camera modules can often be more of a marketing strategy than a necessity for budget devices.

      What’s the phone like?

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      I’ve been using the Pixel 9a for a couple of days, so I’m not ready to provide a complete review. However, initial impressions suggest that this smartphone is exceptionally impressive and will pose serious competition for many other devices. I'm referring to not just models like the Samsung Galaxy A56 and Nothing Phone 3a Pro, but also the OnePlus 13R, Google Pixel 9, and Apple iPhone 16E.

      A lot of this stems from the excellent first impression the Pixel 9a creates. Its smooth body is appealing, but the metal frame and the overall design ensure that it offers the same comfortable in-hand feel as Google’s pricier phones. Yes, there’s a noticeable bezel around the screen and it measures nearly 9mm thick, which makes it feel somewhat bulky, but you quickly get used to it, and it doesn't affect performance.

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      I'm still in the early adjustment phase with this new smartphone while Android optimizes its settings based on my usage patterns. However, I'm already getting about five to six hours of screen time from the initial battery charge, even with the additional power demands during setup. The Tensor G4 processor, which is also present in other Pixel 9 models, performed smoothly without lag or overheating during an hour of gameplay with Magic the Gathering: Arena.

      Does it take good photos?

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      Has Google's decision to flatten the camera module affected photo quality? I’ve only taken a limited number of pictures with the Pixel 9a, so it’s too soon to comment definitively. However, the early results are satisfactory, albeit with some reservations that will become clearer with more use and comparisons to other smartphones.

      The Pixel 9a’s 6.3-inch Actua Display doesn’t showcase the photos well on the device itself, and it’s not as anti-reflective as the display on the Apple iPhone 16E. This leads to pictures appearing somewhat washed out and lacking vibrancy during the shooting process, though the issues were less prominent once I transferred the photos to my computer for viewing on a monitor. At this early stage, I notice that the dynamic range and exposure could use improvement.

      Google has upgraded the main 48-megapixel camera on the Pixel 9a, so these early-stage software issues may be temporary, as I’m testing it ahead of its official launch. Furthermore, what some might perceive as poor exposure could reflect a different aesthetic preference. You can assess the images I’ve taken in the accompanying gallery. The results aren’t terrible, but I hoped for more vibrancy than what I've observed so far. The software’s newness is also evident elsewhere, such as the Quick Settings pull-down menu lacking text in the boxes. I don’t believe this is a personal issue, but it does raise questions about potential upcoming software updates to correct these problems before the official release.

      Is the Pixel 9a an instant buy?

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      I’m truly impressed with the Google Pixel 9a's