evergreen-deals-imagery Kerry Wan/ZDNET

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When we went hands-on with the Google Pixel 9a earlier this year, we praised it for nailing the basics (battery life, performance, vivid display) while keeping a very accessible price point. 

Right now, the Google Pixel 9a is on sale for Black Friday at Amazon for just $349, a 30% discount off the regular price that makes this Android phone one of the most well-rounded devices under $500 that you can get. 

Also: The best Black Friday deals live now

With built-in AI, an all-day battery, and the durability you expect from an Android, you get seven years of OS and security updates and the flexibility to work with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers.  

So what makes it so good? First, it has a clear, bright display — up to 2,700 nits of peak brightness versus the Pixel 8a’s 2,000. The improved luminance is especially noticeable outside in direct sunlight, something we called out during our testing.

As far as everyday use goes, the Pixel 9a is snappy and responsive, with the same Tensor G4 chipset as the Pixel 9 series models with 8GB of RAM. Google says the Tensor G4 chip is 30% faster in web browsing over last year’s Tensor G3.

Also: I found the Pixel 9 Pro XL for $699 – here’s why this is the Android phone deal to grab

It really shines with the battery life, however. The 9a is one of the longest-lasting Pixel phones we’ve tested, with a 5,100mAh capacity that sets a new record for Google.  

Even with a camera-heavy workflow, we were able to squeeze out 1-2 extra hours of use compared to the Pixel 8a, while the new flush camera design makes it a lot more compatible with wireless charging stations. The one thing we have to call out though is the slow 23W charging, which might turn some consumers off.  

The 48MP camera on the 9a is where there is some trade-offs with the device’s price, but it’s certainly serviceable for the majority of casual users. Although we noticed some drop-off in zoom capabilities and the lack of a telephoto lens, the 13MP ultrawide camera still looks great.

Also: I found the 15+ best Black Friday phone deals (and which carrier offers are actually worth it)

All in all, the Pixel 9a is a fantastic all-around “premium budget” flagship Android phone, and quite possibly the most well-rounded phone under $500. You also get longevity here, with seven years of software support and many of the same Google AI features from more premium devices. 

Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.

How I rated this deal 

I gave this phone deal a 4/5 for its solid 30% discount that applies to all four colorways: Iris, Obsidian, Peony, and Porcelain. Keep in mind that this discount applies to the configuration with 128GB of storage. If you want to go up to 256GB, the price goes up to $499.

Deals are subject to sell out or expire anytime, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We’re sorry if you’ve missed out on this deal, but don’t fret — we’re constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com. 


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