Google could be prepping its next budget Pixel in a matter of weeks, as Pixel 10a rumors hint at a possible launch in March. But considering how the RAM crisis could be driving margins down for many new gadgets, it\u2019s very possible we might see a more expensive Pixel 10a \u2014 and that\u2019s exactly why you should look at the Pixel 9a.<\/p>\n
Older phones end up getting $100 price cuts when a newer device comes out, but the Pixel 9a for $299 courtesy of Best Buy<\/a> right now is a steal you shouldn\u2019t overlook. Normally it costs $499, which on its own makes it super affordable against flagship models that often exceed $1,000. This deal essentially gives it a 40% off discount, making it the all-time lowest I\u2019ve seen for an unlocked Pixel 9a. (Note: You’ll need to activate your phone on Verizon or AT&T to get this price).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Prior to this, the cheapest I\u2019ve seen the Pixel 9a was $299 during Black Friday<\/a>. Even though Mint Mobile brought it down to $199<\/a>, that deal required you pay for a year\u2019s worth of unlimited cell phone service upfront \u2014 making the total cost at checkout come out to $379. Best Buy\u2019s deal on the Pixel 9a is for an unlocked model and ends up costing $299 when it\u2019s activated on either Verizon or AT&T.<\/p>\n Even though I anticipate the Pixel 10a<\/a> to still be a best cheap phone<\/a> contender once it\u2019s released, this year\u2019s budget Pixel could end up costing more due to the RAM crisis<\/a>. Many companies are already forecasting narrower margins because of pricing concerns for components.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why this Pixel 9a deal is hard to pass up on, especially when it shares many of the new features found with the newer Pixel 10 lineup. For example, the AI-assisted Ask Photos<\/a> feature that allowed me to create complex photo edits by simply describing them was exclusive to the Pixel 10<\/a>, but it has since gone on to be a standard feature within Google Photos<\/a>.<\/p>\n Speaking of photos, the Pixel 9a\u2019s dual cameras offer the utility I crave to capture most things. In my 200 photo shootout between the Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e<\/a>, Google\u2019s phone came out on top \u2014 with stronger performances in low light and macro mode. At the same time, it also lasted longer on our battery test. For all of these reasons, this is why you should still get the Pixel 9a.<\/p>\n