Pixel 9A Drops Its Signature Camera Bar, and It Feels… Cheaper?

Google’s Pixel 9a has surfaced in leaked promo images, confirming a design shift that strips away one of the defining elements of recent Pixel phones: the signature camera bar. The new approach opts for a nearly flush camera module, a decision that, at first glance, seems modern and sleek. But the more you look at it, the more it starts to feel oddly two-dimensional, almost like a placeholder design rather than something deliberately crafted.

The camera bar was more than just a stylistic choice. It gave previous Pixels a unique silhouette, an instantly recognizable identity in a sea of lookalike slabs. Flattening it out removes that distinctiveness, making the 9a appear more generic—closer to a budget phone trying to blend in rather than a statement of Google’s design language. There’s something about the new layout that feels cheaper, as if the phone’s camera system is no longer a focal point but an afterthought tucked into the back panel.

Designer: Google

The renders also confirm chunkier bezels, a detail that might not bother anyone expecting a budget-friendly device but stands out against the increasingly bezel-less competition. Google has always taken a pragmatic approach to its A-series, prioritizing core functionality over flashy aesthetics, but the combination of a flatter back and thicker bezels makes the 9a feel visually dated before it even launches. It’s the kind of design that makes you appreciate the little compromises flagship models get away with—curved backs, contoured edges, and, ironically, camera bumps that give a sense of depth and sophistication.

On the hardware side, the Pixel 9a retains a dual-camera setup, seemingly unchanged from the Pixel 8a. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—Google’s computational photography remains one of its biggest strengths, often producing flagship-level images on mid-range hardware. The 9a’s rumored color options include black, off-white, coral, and a soft lilac, a familiar palette that keeps things playful. But even with fun colorways, the new design leans more utilitarian than premium, which might leave some users missing the more cohesive look of previous generations.

Under the hood, the phone is expected to carry a Tensor G3 chip, following Google’s pattern of handing down slightly older flagship processors to its mid-range devices. Performance should be solid, with AI-driven features continuing to be a major selling point. The Pixel 9a is also expected to launch with a price tag that keeps it competitive with other mid-range offerings, which helps justify some of the more divisive design choices. Google’s A-series phones have always been about offering great software and camera performance at a reasonable price, and the 9a will likely stick to that formula.

Still, the shift in design raises an interesting question: do camera bumps, for all their awkward protrusions, actually make phones feel more premium? The answer, at least with the Pixel 9a, seems to be yes. Removing the bump doesn’t feel futuristic—it makes the phone look flatter in more ways than one. While functionally the change might not make a huge difference, the visual impact is hard to ignore.

Google’s strategy with the Pixel A-series has always been clear—deliver a great Android experience without unnecessary extras. The 9a will likely continue that tradition, offering a capable phone that runs clean software, takes fantastic photos, and integrates seamlessly with Google’s ecosystem. But the design? It feels like a step sideways rather than forward, a shift that trades character for simplicity. Whether that’s a good or bad thing depends on what you value in a smartphone.

Image Credits: Evan Blass

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