Google has just launched the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, all powered by the same Tensor G4 chipset. The only model missing from the family is the upcoming Pixel 9a, the most affordable option of the bunch, which is expected to arrive between March and May next year.
According to a new report, the Pixel 9a will also use the Tensor G4 SoC, but with an unfortunate twist. It will be paired with the Exynos 5300 modem, not the newer 5400 model that's inside the other Pixel 9 devices and runs cooler and more efficiently.
Google Pixel 8a
That means satellite connectivity won't be a feature for the Pixel 9a, and it could also mean that overall network performance won't be up to par with what other Pixel 9 models can offer with their new modem. That's the price you'll have to pay for the 9a's relatively affordable price, it seems.
This rumor had already circulated before, so it seems more likely now that the information has apparently been “confirmed” by this new rumor. There is another detail to take into account: while the Tensor G4 chip is the same, the plastic casing differs, with the Pixel 9a getting a thicker and warmer version, but also a cheaper one.
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