According to Forbes, Google has slashed the price of the Pixel 9a by $100 ahead of the Pixel 10a’s expected launch. The deal makes the 128GB model $399 and the 256GB model $499, and it includes three months of the Google One basic plan with 100GB of storage. The offer runs until Sunday, February 15, with the Pixel 10a potentially launching the following week, possibly on Tuesday, February 17. The Pixel 10a is rumored to offer the same memory and storage options as the 9a and use the previous generation Tensor chip, not the latest from the Pixel 10 series. Trading in a Pixel 8a, for example, nets an additional $130 off.
The Real Reason For The Sale
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just a routine clearance. The timing is everything. Ending the sale on the 15th and launching the new model potentially on the 17th is a classic retail pivot. It’s a clear signal from Google that they need to clear the channel. But it also tells us something crucial about their confidence in the Pixel 10a. If the new model was a massive leap forward, would they be this aggressive in pushing the old one right up to the launch date? Probably not. This feels like an admission that the upgrade is incremental at best.
Is The Pixel 9a The Smarter Buy?
So, with the Pixel 10a looking like a minor spec bump—same storage tiers, last year’s chip—does the discounted Pixel 9a suddenly become the value champion? I think it’s a compelling argument. You’re getting a proven, capable device at a significant discount, plus some cloud storage via Google One. For anyone who doesn’t need the absolute latest (but still slightly old) silicon, this is a win. The risk, of course, is missing out on any unannounced feature or design tweak. But based on what we know, the 9a deal seems genuinely smart.
Google’s Mid-Tier Problem
This move highlights a recurring tension in Google’s A-series strategy. The whole point was to offer a taste of the Pixel experience at a great price. But now, by reportedly putting an older Tensor chip in the Pixel 10a, they’re creating a weird hierarchy. It’s not the latest chip, and the storage isn’t expanding. So what’s the compelling reason to upgrade? It starts to feel less like a distinct product line and more like a slightly refreshed version of last year’s phone. That’s a dangerous game in the brutally competitive mid-range market. Consumers might just decide to buy last year’s model on sale… which is exactly what Google is banking on with this promotion. The question is, does that strategy build brand loyalty or just train people to wait for discounts?
