No more camera bar for the budget model

It's been a few years since Google introduced the camera bar on the Pixel 6. Over the next few generations, Google refined the look of the unique design element, most recently rounding out its edges on the Pixel 9 series. We're not sure what the future holds for the Pixel 10, but new high-quality renders that supposedly show off the Pixel 9a's design seem to reveal that Google is removing the camera bar on its budget phone.

On Monday, Steve Hemmerstoffer (@OnLeaks) has teamed up with Android Headlines to take a first look at the upcoming Google Pixel 9a. While the Pixel 8's design was more similar to the Pixel 8a, that won't be the case this year.

As you can see in the video and image above, Google appears to have smoothed out the back of the new budget phone. The dual camera module still sits on its own little “island” on the back, but the camera bar is nowhere to be found.

Android Headlines also points out that the Pixel 9a will ship with Android 15 when it launches next year, which was not the case with the Pixel 9. There's also a chance that this will be the last Google phone to ship with a processor from Samsung. The Pixel 10 is expected to feature a custom Google processor developed by TSMC.

As for the specs, we expect the Pixel 9a to deliver similar performance to the Pixel 8a, but with the Tensor G4 replacing the Tensor G3. Google announced the Pixel 8a in May 2024 and everyone expects a similar timeline for the Pixel 9a.

“The Google Pixel 9 Pro retains many design elements from previous Pixel phones, including the camera bar on the back of the device. But it also offers a number of design optimizations that I actually quite like,” said Christian de Looper in a Pixel 9 Pro review for BGR. “First of all, the camera bar is a little clearer and does not merge into the frame, as was the case with Pixel smartphones before. It definitely stands out, but I like the look of it and it helps give the phone a unique design without looking too silly.”