Best Buy and Amazon are offering the Google Pixel 9a with a $100 gift card. However, the Pixel 9 model is now available for $600, with superior specifications including better camera quality, thinner bezels, and advanced features like Satellite SOS. The Pixel 9a has a larger battery but slower charging. Alternatives include the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE at $500 and the Samsung Galaxy S25+, priced lower this week, along with the OnePlus 13 featuring a larger display and superior camera specs, although it has less software support. Discounts are available on higher-end Pixel 9 Pro models as well.
Last week, Best Buy had a deal on the Google Pixel 9a that included a $100 gift card, and now Amazon is offering the same promotion. However, before committing to the 9a, let’s explore the other models in the Pixel 9 series.
Previously, there were no enticing deals on the Google Pixel 9 – as mentioned before, we encountered a price drop to $650 for the base 128GB variant (which offers 4GB more RAM than the 9a). Currently, it’s available for an even lower price of $600. This makes it $100 more than the 9a, or $200 if you factor in the gift card.
Both models share similar display characteristics, though the Pixel 9 features slimmer bezels, upgraded glass (GG Victus 2 compared to GG3), and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor (as opposed to the optical one on the 9a). Additionally, it hosts superior main (50MP 1/1.31” versus 48MP 1/2.0”) and ultra-wide cameras (48MP vs. 13MP), although the selfie cameras are fairly comparable (10.5MP 1/3.1” vs. 13MP 1/3.1”, both with 20mm lenses).
The video recording capabilities are identical, utilizing the same Tensor G4 chipset (though the 9 has more RAM). The Pixel 9a comes with a larger battery (5,100mAh versus 4,700mAh), albeit with slower charging speeds (23W/7.5W compared to 27W/15W). Notably, the 9a does not support Satellite SOS and Wi-Fi 7, features included in the Pixel 9.
For those interested in premium options, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL are available with discounts of $200 (rising to $250 for the 256GB XL variant). Detailed comparisons between the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL, as well as Pixel 9 versus 9 Pro, are available.
Returning to the Pixel 9a, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is priced at $500 for the base 8/128GB variant, though it does not include a gift card. The S24 FE boasts a larger 6.7” display with GG Victus+ glass and an optical fingerprint sensor. Its Exynos 2400e chipset outperforms the Tensor G4. The Galaxy also features a superior camera setup (50MP 1/1.57” main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 8MP 3x telephoto lens), but has a smaller battery (4,700mAh with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging).
Last week, the Samsung Galaxy S25+ was listed at $880 for the 12/256GB model and $1,000 for the 12/512GB version, but those prices have dropped to $850 and $900, respectively.
In a similar price bracket, the OnePlus 13 offers 256GB and 512GB models (noting that the latter comes with 16GB of RAM, compared to the Samsung’s 12GB). The OnePlus features a larger 6.82” 1440p+ LTPO display, a comparable Snapdragon 8 Elite chip (though the “for Galaxy” version is clocked higher), and a substantial 6,000mAh battery with much swifter 100W wired and 50W wireless charging (compared to Samsung’s 4,900mAh with 45W/15W charging). Keep in mind that the OnePlus 13 has a shorter software support period—offering 4 OS updates compared to 7 for Galaxy flagship models.
Equipped with triple 50MP cameras (1/1.43” main, 3x periscope, and 120° ultra-wide), the OnePlus 13 exceeds the capabilities of the S25+. But how does it stack up against the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra? For answers, check out our comparison article and video on the OnePlus 13 versus S25 Ultra. While the Galaxy S25 Ultra is more expensive, there’s a notable $230 discount to ease the cost.
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