Latest Pixel 9a leaks roundup: A cheap aesthetic and an unexpected cameo

It’s been an eventful weekend for Pixel fans, with fresh leaks giving us a clearer picture — literally — of Google’s upcoming Pixel 9a. While previous leaks have focused on renders and spec rumors, two new developments have emerged: one showing the Pixel 9a’s budget-oriented design, and the other giving us an unexpected look at the device in the wild.

In what can only be described as a ‘leak-ception,’ the Pixel 9a made an unexpected appearance in a YouTube Short about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S25 Edge. The video, which has since been taken down, was intended to showcase camera samples from the S25 Edge. However, eagle-eyed viewers noticed a black Pixel 9a (presumably in the “Obsidian” color) casually appearing in the background.

The brief clip gives us a glimpse of the Pixel 9a’s final hardware, as indicated by the presence of the signature “G” logo. Compared to earlier leaks, the chamfered edge between the side rail and back panel appears slightly more pronounced — possibly due to lighting or zoom-level artifacts in the footage. The pill-shaped camera bar also makes an appearance, with the flash cutout looking rather large in comparison.

While it’s not uncommon for Pixel devices to leak in bizarre ways (remember the Pixel 3 XL rideshare incident?), this one takes the cake for being completely unrelated to Google itself. With the rumored launch date fast approaching, this unexpected cameo hints that pre-release devices are already floating around.

If the surprise Galaxy S25 Edge cameo wasn’t enough, another leak over the weekend showcased what seems to be a more hands-on look at the Pixel 9a. Unfortunately, early impressions of the hardware haven’t been particularly flattering.

A now-deleted video (archived in a Thread post by Shane Craig) provided a clearer look at the back panel, and it’s raising eyebrows. Unlike the Pixel 7a and 8a, which managed to maintain a more premium feel despite being budget models, the 9a’s plastic design looks noticeably cheaper. The camera bar also appears to have undergone a minor transformation, with what looks like a plastic ring around it.

However, all is not lost. A follow-up post suggests that while the Pixel 9a may look cheap, it reportedly has a solid feel reminiscent of Nokia’s Lumia phones. That could mean Google is opting for a matte plastic finish similar to what we’ve seen on recent Pixel models, prioritizing durability over aesthetics.

Despite concerns over its build quality, the Pixel 9a is still shaping up to be a compelling budget offering. With a rumored Tensor G4 chip, up to 8GB of RAM, and a 120Hz OLED screen, the device will likely bring flagship-like performance at a lower price point. The only question is whether potential buyers will overlook the less premium materials in favor of its strong software and camera experience.

With the Pixel 9a rumored to launch in late March, we won’t have to wait too long to see how it stacks up in person. Until then, keep an eye out for more leaks — preferably not inside random Samsung videos.

We stand out from the tech-media crowd because we break news stories; we mainly bring you stuff that you won’t find anywhere in the mainstream tech media. Our stories have been picked up by some of the world’s most popular websites and media outlets—more info is available here.