Are Pixel 9a really so bad as shown?

DeletedUser622

Pixel 9a new from Amazon is around €380 delivered. But this video ruins the entire idea of buying it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQttn6TFq70

https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-9a-teardown-3557467/

My main concern is the battery and it's said almost irreplaceable :(

ntop

DeletedUser622
I have pixel 9a and far I get 2 days of battery.
I am so far very happy with the phone and cannot complaint.
Finger sense slightly slow but that could be due to screen protector...
Had it since before Xmas and very happy with it.

N1b

DeletedUser622 when I saw the video I knew this was highly biased since Zack (the man running this channel) never complained that much about the lack of iPhone repairability (which got better in the battery department to be fair, but are still far behind Pixels elsewhere and incentivize to not repair them at all).

Of course it's not a good look for Google as battery and display (and maybe charging port) are the parts that need repair most. But it's doable and I'm more happy about the charging port not being soldered on the main board anymore like in older Pixels. If you want maximum repairability and GrapheneOS, get a Pixel 8 or 8 Pro as they score highest on ifixit (have them myself and am very pleased with performance and looks).

But anyway, I'd say if you want the 9a don't let the sticky battery hold you back. You never know the future. Maybe you're selling it in 3 years or trade it in for a better device. Maybe Google will call it back and give you some money like with the 6a. Maybe you just try replacing the battery and figure it's not a big deal after all. For me, being able to install GrapheneOS is more important than any hardware flaws.

theyycmonk

DeletedUser622 I'm okay with mine. No complainants so far, but I've only been using it since Christmas Eve. It's a tool for a tool... I don't use it for stuff that's better done on my Linux laptop because that'd be betraying my reasoning for getting it and putting this OS on it in the first place.

pminded

ntop Finger sense slightly slow but that could be due to screen protector...

IIRC, there's some compensation setting for that somewhere? Not sure though ...
[edit] found it: Display settings, second to last option. Curious if that helps? (I don't use a screen protector)

Mikeg

I get two days easy on my 9a using 60% of the charge (I charge at 20% until 80%).

thure

I didn't have the time to watch the video.

According to iFixit it is indeed difficult to replace the battery. That sucks, but it is still doable. Nevertheless, if you don't do it by yourself, it'll most likely be expensive to replace the battery.

Beside that, the battery lasts long and I use about 40% of battery a day, with about one hour phone calls and three hours screen time.

I can't say anything about the dust and water resistance, but like to hear more opinions about it.

0xC0DED0D0

9a here, and never been happier! But that's primarily owing to software (GrapheneOS) more than the hardware. Still, can't find any faults with the hardware either. It was cheap, but it's all I need really.

Design-wise, I'm not too keen on the rounded corners of the display — but they're all like that! Dumbest design decision ever, if you ask me. Apple started it, I suppose. 🙄

Also would prefer a modular design, like Fairphone. It's how things OUGHT TO be done. But again, they're all (except Fairphone) like this...

So, you take the good with the bad. Like I said, I've never been happier!

Possibly might look into upgrading for a Pixel 10 Pro XL (or Fold?) later this year (Black Friday?), as running a NexPad along with peripherals is an intriguing idea for travel.

But the 9a is still mine forever — will be a secondary backup phone, if so.

Buy it..!

subwoofer

0xC0DED0D0 the stupid round corners and the stupid flat sides are the reason I sent the 9a back and kept my pixel 8.

Its a poor design and I can't believe everyone is copying it.

In every other respect the phone was excellent, especially the camera not bump.

pizzadequeso

The only thing jerry rigged is his credibility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wWI5hfxEMI

Mediocrewastaken

I had both the 10 and the 9a. Personally, the 10 was not worth the extra $100. The bezel under the camera made for a nice finger stand and that's about it. It was a bit faster and the tactile response seemed better, at least to me, but still not worth the extra. I switched back to the 9a with no regrets. The battery, for me, ran out quicker on the 10. I use LibreTube and OpenTune like my life depended on it and have the charging capped off at 80% and I've yet to run out of charge. 10% was probably the closest I've come to running out.

Vomitorius

Are you going to change the battery once a week by yourself?
If not - leave it to warranty and specialist personnel to take care

DeletedUser622

Vomitorius Will it last for 7 years? Pixels are not Faiphones, so replacing battery is huge pain.

Vomitorius

DeletedUser622 chance you gonna need to replace it more than once is more than minimal. And professional technicians will do it.

DeletedUser622

N1b never complained that much about the lack of iPhone repairability

I don't consider that walled garden at all, so I can't comment on it.

N1b get a Pixel 8 or 8 Pro

Not available as new anymore.

N1b Maybe Google will call it back and give you some money like with the 6a.

I've been using 6a since 2023. Bought 2 devices, the second one was kept as backup and rarely turned on, I switched to that second one recently. Reverting to the stock OS is not an option for me, I'd rather let it go than contacting Google and willingly giving them my personal data.

N1b

DeletedUser622 with a privacy minded attitude like this you should definitely buy the 9a and happily use GOS then. Battery glue is secondary at best and if you buy a new device after 3 years (judging by the jump from 6a to 9a) it won't matter anyway. You probably want the new OEM device by then.

Congrats on your clear threat model and for staying firm on your beliefs.

DeletedUser622

A New Hope: https://piunikaweb.com/2026/01/19/google-pixel-battery-patent-pixel-10a-price-leaks-and-critical-buds-security/

On January 1, 2026, Google filed a patent for an interesting smartphone battery design that skips glue and opts for a more mechanical way of locking the battery inside a phone using a rigid metal chassis. That new design should technically allow a normal user to dislodge the battery from the phone without puncturing it or damaging it, and replace it with a new one.

FINALLY!

DeletedUser622

I bought one nevertheless. Installed GrapheneOS via web installer with no friction. Happy so far.