Google Pixel 9a might bag a primary camera sensor from a $1,799 phone

According to a leak from Android Headlines, the budget-friendly Pixel 9a will feature a 48MP primary camera, possibly the same sensor found in Google’s top-tier $1,799 Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The company seems to be moving away from the 64MP primary sensor that was used in its predecessor, the Pixel 8a, and the previous Pixel 7a.

While the resolution is technically lower, the larger pixels on this sensor could mean better low-light performance and sharper photos overall. The decision to use this sensor suggests that Google is aiming to improve real-world photography rather than just focusing on raw megapixel numbers.

As Android Headlines points out, the other cameras on the Pixel 9a remain unchanged. The ultrawide lens will still pack a 13MP sensor, the same one used in the Pixel 8a, and the front-facing camera is also sticking with 13MP. While there’s no telephoto lens, unsurprising given the Pixel 9a’s budget focus, the improved primary sensor is a welcome upgrade.

The publication also claims that the new “Add Me” that debuted with the Pixel 9 series will make its way to the Pixel 9a too. This AI-powered feature allows you to insert yourself into group photos, even if you weren’t in the original shot. It’s a neat trick for those awkward moments when you’re the one stuck taking the picture, or when you simply want to avoid asking a stranger to help out.

The Pixel 9a is expected to launch in mid-March 2025. With less than six months to go, more details and leaks will likely surface in the coming months, giving us a clearer picture of what this budget device will bring to the table.

If Google manages to deliver a phone with premium camera tech at a lower price point, the Pixel 9a could become one of the most attractive budget phones of 2025. If you missed it, the Pixel 7a was crowned the champion in MKBHD’s blind smartphone camera test in January this year. So even though the Pixel 9a might not be the absolute best, I’m confident that it’ll be a worthy contender in its price bracket.

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