In 2021, Google introduced the “camera bar” to its lineup of Pixel phones. The idea behind putting a giant bump along the entire width of the phone’s rear was ostensibly to give the camera’s lenses more space, but really, it was as much a marketing move as a practical one: While other phones continue to make do just fine with a small square in the corner, the camera bar gives Pixels a unique look that Google acknowledges is a “trademark of the lineup.”
Much to the chagrin of my pockets and purses, almost every Pixel Google has released since the 6 has had a camera bar in some form. It traps dust, it gives cases an ugly hump, and it makes it harder to hold the phone in one hand or in landscape mode.
Luckily, after years of Google's strict adherence to the camera bar, there’s finally an option for people like me. Earlier this year, Google released its budget-oriented Pixel 9a, the first phone from the company to omit the camera bar since its debut model. That immediately made it my favorite Google phone you can buy right now, and even with the Pixel 10 on the horizon, it looks like it’s going to be relevant for years to come.
How does the Pixel 9a compare to the Pixel 9?
Google Pixel 9a in various colors Credit: Michelle EhrhardtThe Pixel 9a is almost neck-and-neck with the Pixel 9, and thanks to the redesigned camera, I’d say it’s less of a strict downgrade and more of an alternative choice with different priorities.
If not for its lack of a camera bar, I could probably hand you a 9a and tell you it was a 9, and you’d go for months without noticing the difference.
Why the camera bar hate?
Google Pixel 9 from the back Credit: Michelle EhrhardtBut for me, the real issue is that it’s ugly. That’s highly subjective, I’ll admit, but it’s a common enough complaint that Google has made pains to defend the camera bump. How bad it is varies from phone to phone, but on the base Pixel 9, it’s a third as thick as the phone itself. That’s some nasty work, and if you’re like me, it’s pretty self-evident why you might prefer an alternative.
How does the Pixel 9a’s camera hold up?
To be fair, the change does come with some caveats. While the regular Pixel 9’s camera has a 50 MP wide lens and a 48 MP ultrawide lens, the Pixel 9a only has a 48MP wide lens and a 13 MP ultrawide lens. But here’s my hot take: You’re buying a phone, not a camera. While most of us have replaced dedicated cameras with our smartphones, it’s worth considering whether you’re the type of person who needs the absolute prettiest pictures at all times, or if you’d prefer a less unwieldy device with a smaller price tag. While I do think you can spot a mild difference between the 9 and 9a’s shots, for casual photographers, the 9a should still hold up just fine.
Here’s a few examples of Pixel 9a shots, from various distances and in different lighting conditions:
Photos taken on the Pixel 9a Credit: Michelle EhrhardtAnd the same, but for the regular Pixel 9:
Photos taken on the Pixel 9 Credit: Michelle EhrhardtIsn’t the Pixel 10 coming out soon?
I was hoping that the 9a was a sign of things to come for Google’s non-budget phones, but alas. If you’re a fellow camera bar hater, the Pixel 9a is going to remain a relevant option for you long after the base Pixel 10 release, especially because the 10a likely won’t come out until next year, if historical precedent stands.
Regardless of your preferences, the Pixel 9a is a damn good piece of kit for $500, a big discount from the $800 Pixel 9. If you mostly use your phone for calls, texting, and the internet, it’s not just a good compromise—it's the best Google phone you can buy.
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