Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a vs Pixel 7a: What are the differences?

23 July 2025

Robert Duke

Google's Pixel a-series has always been the underdog hero. Affordable, reliable, and oddly endearing, like your favorite pair of jeans or that slightly chipped coffee mug you can’t bring yourself to chuck out. With the arrival of the Pixel 9a, it’s time to see if the latest iteration is genuinely groundbreaking or just another subtle refresh.

Let’s dive in and see how it stacks up against its predecessors, the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a.

Design & Display: Spot the Difference

Compared to the full flagship versions, the visual differences between the 7a and the 9a are quite noticeable, with the latest handset looking curvier and sleeker. But what other visual features do the plucky a-series models have?

Pixel 7a: Debuted in 2023, the Pixel 7a offered a compact 6.1-inch OLED display at 2400 x 1080 resolution, sturdy but some would say it looks a little retro (a purposeful move from Google, we’re sure, but still).
Pixel 8a: Slightly refined, released in 2024, the 8a kept the 6.1-inch OLED display but upgraded to a 120Hz refresh rate and slimmed the bezels for a sleeker appearance.
Pixel 9a: Stepping it up to a 6.3-inch OLED display, the Pixel 9a introduces a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, perfect for endlessly doom-scrolling through news you promised you'd stop reading.

Though display changes have been incremental, the 9a’s larger, ultra-responsive screen significantly boosts its visual charm.

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Performance: Chip Chat

Okay, so processor information isn’t particularly exciting without context (understatement), but don’t worry, we've translated all the tech jargon into plain English! ☺️

Pixel 7a: Powered by Google’s trusty Tensor G2, solid for everyday tasks but occasionally prone to grumbling under pressure (relatable).
Pixel 8a: Upgraded to Tensor G3, offering slightly better performance and battery management, good enough to make app-hopping feel less like jumping hurdles.
Pixel 9a: Steps up to the new Tensor G4 chip, refined for smoother multitasking and improved AI tasks, meaning even 3D-intensive games will open and run faster than your motivation to rage-quit them.

Clearly, the Pixel 9a packs enough punch to tackle your multitasking obsessions without breaking a digital sweat. Tidy!

Camera: The Magic of Software

Let’s face it, most of us need all the help we can get when taking photos. Luckily, Google Pixels are among the best for panoramic pics and sublime selfies. Here’s what you can expect from the latest Pixels.

Pixel 7a & Pixel 8a: Both feature a dependable dual-camera setup, a 64MP main lens and a 13MP ultra-wide. Great shots, zero effort, perfect for your endless adorable cat photo collections.
Pixel 9a: Updates to a 48MP main camera paired with a 13MP ultra-wide lens, enhancing Google's famed software with AI features like "Photo Unblur" and "Magic Editor," turning your blurry nighttime snaps into art that’ll impress even your most hard-to-please Insta followers.

Battery Life: Stamina Battles

There’s nothing worse than a phone battery running out by early afternoon, so how long will the Pixels last in a typical day?

Pixel 7a: Sporting a 4,385mAh battery, decent enough to get you through a workday as with general usage it will last around 15 hours, but keep that charger handy if you're binge-watching that Netflix series late in the evening.
Pixel 8a: Increased battery slightly to 4,492mAh, reliably powering through that extra episode without you needing to sprint to the plug socket. It’ll generally last around an hour longer than the 7a.
Pixel 9a: Boosted significantly to 5,100mAh capacity, further enhanced by Tensor G4’s energy efficiency, comfortably lasting from dawn ‘til a bedtime scroll, giving roughly an extra hour (up to around 17 hours) when compared to the 8a.

Software & AI: A Personal Assistant in Your Pocket

When it comes to AI, Google are ahead of the pack, with Samsung and Apple just a step behind with how well integrated the tools are. But how do the recent Pixel a-series handsets compare in this area?

Pixel 7a: Came with Android 13, and with an update to the most recent available OS, is clever enough but not (quite) ready to predict your future or give you winning lotto numbers.
Pixel 8a: Introduced Android 14 with new features like "Assistant with Bard," making the 8a better equipped for life's mundane queries, like ‘remind me to get dinner’ (yes, Bard. Gluten free pizza again. Judgy).
Pixel 9a: Android 15 arrives with advanced contextual suggestions and automatic call screening, effortlessly integrating AI into daily tasks, making your phone interactions smoother and smarter (however, it’s worth noting that there are some features that aren’t available here that are available on the flagship 9 model).

Google's Pixel 9a makes everyday interactions less effortful, and just a bit more fun.

Conclusion: Should You Upgrade?

Let's tackle the burning question: Is the Pixel 9a a worthy upgrade or just another incremental hop?

From Pixel 7a to Pixel 8a: Marginal improvements, only noticeable if you're eagle-eyed or tech obsessive.
From Pixel 8a to Pixel 9a: Noticeable upgrades in display size and refresh rate, battery life, and refined AI features; ideal for users craving smoother performance and smarter features.
From Pixel 7a to Pixel 9a: Absolutely worth it, significant improvements across the board, enough to impress even cynical friends who aren’t usually too fussed about tech.
From older Pixels or other Android devices: An upgrade to Pixel 9a could feel transformative, combining near-flagship power and Google's best software tricks for future-proofing.

Final Thoughts

The Pixel 9a solidifies Google's commitment to affordable excellence, boasting noticeable internal and AI upgrades that help with daily usability. If you're still using a much older Pixel or simply looking to jump ship from another Android brand, the 9a promises a sleek smartphone experience.

If you're an Apple user feeling adventurous, the Pixel 9a could be your perfect entry point to the greener Android pastures, though if you already have a flagship iPhone from the last few generations, you might need to invest in the full Pixel 9 or at least the Pixel 8 model to really feel the benefit.