The Google Pixel 9a was unveiled a few days ago, but it will only hit the market in April and not in March, as previously revealed. Underlying the decision to postpone the commercial launch of Google’s new entry-level device are unspecified “component quality” issues. The new Google Pixel 9a aims to offer solid performance at a more affordable price, but to do so; it must compromise. Despite mounting the same Tensor G4 chip as the Pixel 9, 9 Pro and 9 Pro Fold models, the mid-range smartphone receives a simplified version of Gemini AI, the next-generation intelligent assistant developed by Google.

According to Ars Technica, the Pixel 9a, uses Gemini Nano 1.0 XXS, an even lighter version of the already optimised Gemini Nano XS found on its bigger brothers. The main limitation is not only computing power but also RAM memory. The Pixel 9a has 8 GB of RAM, compared to 12 GB on the Pixel 9 and 16 GB on the Pro versions. This memory cut has direct consequences on the capabilities of the AI: some of the more advanced functions are not available on the device. These include the absence of the Pixel Screenshots app, which uses Gemini to make screens searchable and intelligent, and the lack of the Call Notes function, which is capable of generating automatic summaries of voice calls.

The new model in the Pixel range will be positioned below the Pixel 9, which today can be purchased for around EUR 700 for the 8/128 GB version and will replace the Pixel 8a, the current entry-level of Google’s smartphone range. As with all recent Pixel models, the new Pixel 9a will also receive seven major updates and will, therefore, be able to upgrade to Android 22.

An artificial intelligence that only works when needed

Despite its limitations, Gemini Nano XXS is not completely absent from the Pixel 9A. Its presence is designed to be non-permanent, i.e. the AI only works when needed, without operating continuously in the background. This is a strategy to reduce resource consumption, typical of devices with lower hardware. This still allows the phone to use functions such as audio summaries within the Recorder app, where the analysis is done from text transcription.

The decision to offer different versions of Gemini depending on the model is nothing new for Google. Already last year, artificial intelligence was initially exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro, while the “basic” Pixel 8 was left out, at least until user protests. Eventually, even that model received the Gemini Nano XXS, the same variant adopted today on the 9A. A move that highlights how Google is still balancing functionality and technical requirements to make AI available on an increasingly wide range of devices.

A Pixel that remains interesting but with compromises

The reduction of Gemini capabilities on the Pixel 9a does not detract from the value of the device, but it is a clear signal of the boundaries of the mid-range, according to Google. The decision to limit certain AI functions is not only a technical issue but also a commercial one: the 9A continues to offer an excellent Android experience but invites those who want the best in AI to look to higher-end models.

The trade-off between price and functionality has always been at the heart of Google’s A-series devices, and the Pixel 9a is no exception. The adoption of the Tensor G4 chip represents a leap forward from the previous generation, but it is not enough to guarantee the full Gemini experience. In other words, those who buy a 9A will be able to enjoy part of Google’s AI ecosystem but will have to do without its more advanced forms. The Pixel 9a looks like a device that has all the makings of an indelible mark on the smartphone market. The combination of artificial intelligence, camera quality, performance, battery life and design make it an ideal candidate for those seeking a high-end experience at an affordable price. This smartphone not only meets expectations but exceeds them, opening new possibilities for the future of mobile telephony.