Google’s upcoming budget smartphone from the Pixel 9 family, the Pixel 9a, has been leaked online.
The leak, shared by ShrimpApplePro on X (formerly Twitter) from images posted in a private Vietnamese Pixel fan Facebook group, reveals potential design changes that could set the Pixel 9a apart from the mainline series.
The two real-world images, believed to show a prototype of the Pixel 9a, reveal a dual-camera setup with a glossy ring, resembling the Pixel 9 series’ rounded floating camera bar but with a different housing that may lack the usual visor/bar.
The LED flash is positioned separately on the right side, and the device features a tweaked rear logo, a common tactic to prevent leaks. Additionally, the images suggest that the Pixel 9a’s camera system might be flush with the frame, unlike the protruding designs of the mainline series.
The device is expected to adopt a boxy design similar to the Pixel 9 series, with flat side rails and a lower-positioned SIM tray. The display bezels appear more pronounced, and the absence of the camera bar could indicate cost-saving measures, marking a significant design shift since the Pixel 4a.
The leaked images also hint at a matte finish for the backplate and side rails of the Pixel 9a, though the exact color remains unclear due to lighting. The device may come in up to four colors, including a “silver” option, and could be released by the end of this year, according to the tipster.
However, given the early stage of these leaks, this information should be approached with caution.