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Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Pixel 9a

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Starting at

£348.84

£1,099 new

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Starting at

£266.76

£499 new

See options
Pixel 9 Pro XLStarting at £348.84See options
Pixel 9aStarting at £266.76See options

In a nutshell

They share the same Google Tensor G4 chip, the same 120Hz refresh rate and the same IP68 rating. The Pixel 9a has the lower launch price, longer OS support until 2032 and a bigger battery. The Pixel 9 Pro XL counters with a 5x optical telephoto, more memory with 16GB of RAM and Wi-Fi 7.

At 128GB, the Pixel 9 Pro XL launched at £1099 and the Pixel 9a at £499.

Available models

Pixel 9 Pro XL

Capacity

Condition grades in stock

Excellent, Great, Good

Pixel 9a

Capacity

Condition grades in stock

Great, Good

Durability

Pixel 9 Pro XL 83/100
Pixel 9a 89/100

The Pixel 9a should be supported for longer, with OS updates until 2032 against 2031 on the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Software support:The Pixel 9 Pro XL should get OS updates until 2031 and the Pixel 9a until 2032. That gives the Pixel 9a the longer support window.

Front glass:The Pixel 9 Pro XL has Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and the Pixel 9a Gorilla Glass 3.

Water and dust:Both are rated IP68, the same protection against dust and water.

Frame:Both use the same aluminium frame.

Released

2024
2025Newer

Updates until (est.)

2031
2032Supported for longer

Water resistance

IP68
IP68

Frame

Aluminium
Aluminium

Weight

221g
–

Release date

22 August 2024
10 April 2025

Front glass

Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Gorilla Glass 3

Dimensions

162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm
154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm

Biometrics

Fingerprint; Face Unlock
Fingerprint; Face Unlock

Security updates until

2031
2032

Repairability

–
EU repairability class B (index 3.53/5)

Performance

Pixel 9 Pro XL 88/100
Pixel 9a 85/100

The same Google Tensor G4 chip in both, so expect the same everyday speed.

Memory:The Pixel 9 Pro XL has 16GB of RAM against 8GB on the Pixel 9a, which helps keep more apps open in the background.

Storage:The Pixel 9 Pro XL launched in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB and the Pixel 9a in 128GB and 256GB.

AI features:Both support Google's AI features, the same AI suite.

Chip

Google Tensor G4
Google Tensor G4

RAM

16GBMore memory
8GB

Storage options

128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
128GB, 256GB

AI features

Yes
Yes

Screen quality

Pixel 9 Pro XL 99/100
Pixel 9a 93/100

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has the bigger screen, at 6.8 inches.

Size:The Pixel 9 Pro XL's 6.8-inch screen is bigger than the 6.3-inch screen on the Pixel 9a.

Panel:The Pixel 9 Pro XL uses a Super Actua LTPO OLED panel at 2992 x 1344 and the Pixel 9a an Actua pOLED panel at 2424 x 1080.

Brightness:The Pixel 9 Pro XL peaks at 3000 nits against 2700 on the Pixel 9a, by the makers' figures, so it is easier to read in bright sun.

Smoothness:Both refresh at the same 120Hz.

Screen size

6.8"Bigger screen
6.3"

Screen type

Super Actua LTPO OLED
Actua pOLED

Refresh rate

120Hz
120Hz

Resolution

2992 x 1344
2424 x 1080

Peak brightness

3000 nits (maker figure)
2700 nits (maker figure)

Camera

Pixel 9 Pro XL 88/100
Pixel 9a 49/100

Only the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a telephoto lens, so it is the one for zooming in.

Main camera:The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 50MP main camera against 48MP on the Pixel 9a, which leaves more detail to crop into.

Ultrawide:The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 48MP ultrawide and the Pixel 9a a 13MP one.

Zoom:Only the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a telephoto lens, with 5x optical zoom. The Pixel 9a has no telephoto lens.

Selfies:The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 42MP selfie camera against 13MP on the Pixel 9a.

Main camera

50MPMore megapixels
48MP

Ultrawide

48MPMore megapixels
13MP

Telephoto

48MP
None

Optical zoom

5xMore zoom
None

Front camera

42MPSharper selfies
13MP

Video recording

8K 30fps with Video Boost
4K 60fps

Battery

Pixel 9 Pro XL 88/100
Pixel 9a 75/100

The Pixel 9a has the bigger battery.

Capacity:The Pixel 9a has the bigger battery, 5100mAh against 5060mAh.

Wireless charging:For wireless charging, the Pixel 9 Pro XL supports Pixel Stand 23W, Qi 12W and the Pixel 9a Qi 7.5W.

Battery

5060mAh
5100mAhBigger battery

Wired charging

37W
–

Wireless charging

Pixel Stand 23W, Qi 12W
Qi 7.5W

Connectivity

Pixel 9 Pro XL 86/100
Pixel 9a 81/100

The Pixel 9 Pro XL has the newer Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 7.

Wi-Fi:The Pixel 9 Pro XL has Wi-Fi 7 against Wi-Fi 6E on the Pixel 9a, which only pays off with a newer router.

5G:Both have the same 5G support.

Port:Both have the same USB-C (USB 3.2) port.

SIM:Both take the same Nano-SIM + eSIM setup.

5G

Yes
Yes

Port

USB-C (USB 3.2)
USB-C (USB 3.2)

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 6E

SIM

Nano-SIM + eSIM
Nano-SIM + eSIM

Bluetooth

Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3

Our verdict

Buy the Pixel 9 Pro XL if you want a 5x optical telephoto and more memory with 16GB of RAM. Buy the Pixel 9a if you want the lower launch price and longer OS support until 2032.

Buy the Pixel 9 Pro XL if

  • You want a 5x optical telephoto
  • You want more memory with 16GB of RAM
  • You want Wi-Fi 7
Shop from £348.84

Buy the Pixel 9a if

  • You want the lower launch price
  • You want longer OS support until 2032
  • You want a bigger battery
Shop from £266.76

FAQs

The Pixel 9 Pro XL should get OS updates until 2031 and the Pixel 9a until 2032. That gives the Pixel 9a the longer support window.

Only the Pixel 9 Pro XL has a telephoto lens, with 5x optical zoom. The Pixel 9a has no telephoto lens.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL's 6.8-inch screen is bigger than the 6.3-inch screen on the Pixel 9a.

Every Reboxed phone has a minimum of 80% battery health. If you want the closest thing to new, some phones offer our New Battery Upgrade, professionally installed before your phone is dispatched. If it's available, you'll see it on the product page.

Pristine, Excellent, Great and Good. Pristine has zero blemishes and at least 90% battery health. Good can show noticeable wear on the casing but works perfectly. Every grade is TechCheck certified and comes with a 12-month warranty.

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