Photo credit: www.androidauthority.com
Last year’s Pixel 8a featured a modest 4,500mAh battery paired with a rather slow 18W charging speed, which failed to impress many users. However, a significant enhancement arrives with the new Pixel 9a, featuring a more substantial 5,100mAh battery and improved fast charging capabilities at 23W, matching those of the flagship Pixel 9 model.
This raises the question: Has Google finally perfected battery life and charging for the Pixel 9a? Our initial impressions of the battery performance have been positive, but to evaluate the charging efficiency, I took a closer look at the device in our lab environment.
Charging Speed of the Pixel 9a
When testing with a high-powered USB Power Delivery PPS charger, the Pixel 9a reached 25W, which exceeds its stated charging specifications. It’s crucial to use a PPS-compliant charger to take advantage of this higher power output; using the same USB PD charger as the previous model will limit you to 18W. Options such as Google’s latest 45W wall charger are necessary to access these enhanced capabilities, just like with their premium offerings.
Notably, the Pixel 9a can maintain its peak charging rate for about 20 minutes, allowing for a quick energy top-up upon connection. However, during this time, the phone’s temperature can rise to 40.4°C, prompting a minor caution alert for battery health. While this temperature is temporarily experienced, it leads to a throttling of power back to 18W to manage heat effectively. Consequently, the device tends to run warmer than the earlier Pixel 8a, and its sustained charging speed does not quite match the more expensive Pixel 9, placing it in a middle ground.
Despite the power enhancements, charging speeds mean that the Pixel 9a achieves 50% battery in about 30 minutes, 75% in 50 minutes, and reaches a full charge in 94 minutes, which still feels slow overall. The larger 5,100mAh battery does marginally improve the time to a full charge compared to the Pixel 8a, yet it doesn’t significantly reduce the times to reach 50% or 75%. Additionally, since it warms up and throttles its charging rate sooner than the Pixel 9, the timing for achieving crucial battery milestones lags behind Google’s flagship model.
So, how successful is Google’s approach with the Pixel 9a’s charging system? While the device now offers comparable power capabilities to the Pixel 9 series, which is a welcome progression within the A series line, there are concerns. Comparison with other devices in the $499 price bracket shows that many competitors are offering faster charging options, making it essential for Google to evolve in this area.
Though charging to full capacity in over an hour and a half is still inconvenient, the larger battery capacity is commendable. However, Google seems to be in a challenging position. While the Pixel 9a requires faster charging due to its substantial battery, the upgrades in power output have not translated into a speed advantage over the last year’s model. Moreover, the increased charging levels are likely to generate additional heat, which is not an ideal scenario.
Given past controversies surrounding battery performance and the delayed launch of the Pixel 9a attributed to “component quality issues,” it is reasonable to approach this new device with some caution regarding temperature management. While the Pixel 9a’s temperatures during charging are not excessively high, they are elevated compared to last year’s model and record higher average temperatures than the scrutinized Pixel 7a. Though not necessarily alarming, it is a factor to consider, especially for users who plan on using the Pixel 9a for the duration of Google’s promised seven years of updates. Prospective buyers might want to anticipate potential battery replacement costs down the line.
Google Pixel 9a Specifications
Battery Capacity: 5,100mAh
Wired Charging: 23W wired charging (USB PD PPS)
Charging Times:
- 25%: 12 minutes
- 50%: 30 minutes
- 75%: 50 minutes
- 100%: 94 minutes
Wireless Charging: 7.5W wireless charging, Qi compatible
Charging Adapter: Not included, available for separate purchase
The Google Pixel 9a features built-in Gemini, an impressive camera, and all-day battery life, with seven years of updates, all under $500. It encompasses essential Pixel features at a competitive price point.
Source
www.androidauthority.com