WIRED’s prime smartphone advice for most people is Google’s Pixel 9a (9/10, WIRED Recommends), because of its unbelievable stability of efficiency and options for its $499 MSRP. However Amazon’s Prime Large Deal Days October sale occasion has introduced the primary main low cost on Google’s smartphone, slashing the price to a mere $349. That is shockingly superb.
Trying to find extra gross sales? Try our Absolute Best Prime Big Deal Day Deals roundup for all the highest reductions, and our energetic Prime Day liveblog for up-to-the-minute offers on our favourite devices.
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{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
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{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
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{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
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{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
Google’s A-series Pixel telephones have been our prime advice for a couple of years, as a result of these units pack a variety of capabilities regardless of the mid-range value. In recent times, Google has added the identical processor as its flagship sibling. Right here, meaning the Pixel 9a is powered by the Tensor G4 chip that is within the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro series, and you may count on glorious efficiency. It will not be the most suitable choice for heavy cell players (who play essentially the most demanding titles), however it’ll deal with most apps with ease.
Pixel telephones are recognized for his or her cameras, and you’ll be hard-pressed to search out one other dual-camera system like this for $350, not to mention $499. The 48-megapixel essential digital camera can ship sharp, colourful, and vivid pictures, even in low mild, and also you get a 13-MP ultrawide for good measure. The selfie shooter ain’t too dangerous, both. Higher but, the digital camera system is totally flush with the again of the cellphone. If you happen to hate digital camera bumps, you will love the Pixel 9a.
The 6.3-inch show will get extremely vivid and has a 120-Hz screen refresh rate (one thing Apple lastly added to its iPhone 17). And Google stuffs a variety of nice-to-have options, like Qi wi-fi charging, an IP68 water resistance score, day-long battery life, and seven years of software program updates. That final one is an enormous deal as a result of software program updates imply your cellphone can last more and keep safe.
It isn’t simply concerning the {hardware}, although. Google Pixel telephones have tons of genuinely helpful good software program options, and lots of of them can be found on the Pixel 9a. For instance, Google’s glorious Name Screening know-how is current right here, serving to restrict the variety of robocalls that ring your cellphone. It may routinely detect the music that is enjoying round you and floor it on the lock display, and Assistant Voice Typing delivers a extra correct voice-to-text transcription than what you will discover on most smartphones. You’ll be able to learn extra about these features here.
The elephant within the room is the long-term efficiency of the battery. Google has issued software program updates to the older Pixel 4a, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 7a units, slicing their battery life brief for security causes. It does not look like that may occur to the Pixel 9a, as Google has launched a plan to decrease the charging speed gradually after 200 charge cycles, which can assist preserve battery efficiency for longer, however it’s nonetheless one thing to remember.
If you happen to seize this Prime Day Pixel deal, be sure you snag a case and screen protector! The Pixel 9a’s display is not very sturdy and can scratch simply, so a display protector is a brilliant funding.
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