In the year 2025, a smartphone is an essential tool for travel. It serves as our boarding pass, GPS navigator, and camera, making it indispensable for modern travelers.
During a recent trip to New York, I had the opportunity to review Google’s Pixel 9a, a mid-range smartphone that had impressed me at home. However, my experience in the bustling streets of Manhattan highlighted the need for a more reliable device like the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which I had used on previous trips.
While the Pixel 9a excelled in many areas during my time in NYC, it also revealed a major drawback that would make it less suitable for travel.
A fine design
Exploring a new city like New York requires frequent use of navigation apps like Google Maps. The lightweight and compact build of the Pixel 9a made it comfortable to hold for extended periods while navigating the city streets.
Even with a case applied, the Pixel 9a was comfortable to hold all day long
The 6.3-inch screen provided ample viewing space while remaining pocket-friendly. The display quality and brightness were impressive, ensuring clear visibility even in bright sunlight.
What a display
Despite its smaller size compared to flagship devices, the Pixel 9a’s P-OLED screen delivered excellent quality for watching videos and browsing the web. The fast 120Hz refresh rate provided a smooth and fluid user experience.
The brightness of the display was particularly noteworthy, enhancing visibility in outdoor settings like Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park.
Heavyweight performance
The Pixel 9a’s performance, powered by Google’s Tensor chipset, proved to be reliable for everyday tasks like navigating, browsing, and photography. The phone handled multitasking well without any noticeable slowdowns.
For most travelers, the Pixel 9a offers sufficient performance for essential tasks without the need for high-intensity applications.
Great battery life, finally!
The Pixel 9a’s upgraded 5100mAh battery provided excellent endurance, lasting through demanding days of continuous usage in New York. The device offered the best battery life I’ve experienced on a Pixel phone, making it ideal for travelers.
Killer photography…
The standout feature of the Pixel 9a is its impressive cameras, particularly the 48MP main rear lens. The device captured vibrant and well-exposed photos with strong dynamic range and low-light performance.
The front-facing camera also delivered excellent results for selfies, showcasing realistic skin tones. While the ultrawide lens was serviceable, the lack of a telephoto lens for zooming was a notable drawback.
…except when you want to zoom
One of the limitations of the Pixel 9a was its lack of a telephoto lens for zooming, impacting the quality of digital zoom compared to devices with dedicated telephoto lenses. The absence of advanced zoom capabilities was felt during situations requiring distant subject capture.
Overall, while the Pixel 9a excelled in many areas, the lack of a telephoto lens may limit its suitability for travel, especially in locations where zoom capabilities are essential.
If a larger device is preferred, the Pixel 9 Pro XL remains a top recommendation for travelers. Alternatively, there are other excellent smartphone options available for consideration.
