Pixel 8a vs Pixel 9

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Google Pixel 8a

The Pixel 8a wins this one. Against the Pixel 9 it's also the sounder buy at $5.08 per month of safe use.

Value Score: Pixel 8a 77 · Pixel 9 72 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Google Pixel 8a $300

Safe to buy$5.08/mo

2024◆ Buy-by May 20292031

Google Pixel 9 $449

Safe to buy$7.21/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Aug 20292031

Category by category

Display

Pixel 8a 70Pixel 9 80

The Pixel 9's screen is the better one — 6.3-inch actua oled, 60–120hz, up to 2700 nits peak.

Performance

Pixel 8a 70Pixel 9 76

The Pixel 9's Google Tensor G4 is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Pixel 8a 67Pixel 9 67

Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.

Battery

Pixel 8a 70Pixel 9 74

4,700mAh vs 4,492mAh — the Pixel 9 lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Pixel 8a 70Pixel 9 74

The Pixel 9 is supported until Aug 2031 — 3 months longer than the Pixel 8a.

Value

Pixel 8a 77Pixel 9 72

Overall value goes to the Pixel 8a at $5.08 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Pixel 8a	Pixel 9
Price (street)	$300	$449
Display	6.1-inch Actua OLED, FHD+, 60–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	6.3-inch Actua OLED, 60–120Hz, up to 2700 nits peak
Chipset	Google Tensor G3	Google Tensor G4
RAM	8GB	12GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB
Battery	4,492 mAh	4,700 mAh
Charging	18W wired, 7.5W wireless	27W wired, 15W wireless (Qi)
Rear cameras	64MP main, 13MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 48MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	152.1 × 72.7 × 8.9 mm	152.8 × 72.0 × 8.5 mm
Weight	188 g	198 g
Water resistance	IP67	IP68
Supported until	May 2031	Aug 2031

Pixel 8a full verdict →Pixel 9 full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.