Google Pixel 9a Review: Affordable, durable, and reliable smartphone with impressive battery life and design

Google’s had a heck of a six months — it released probably its most diverse and interesting smartphone lineup, the Pixel 9 series, in August, and now followed it up with an absolute knockout in the Pixel 9a.

But I get ahead of myself. I made no bones about the fact that I absolutely adored the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which for the first time in what seems like forever, exudes a sense of confidence and purpose. It knows what its job is, and it’s damned good at it. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is similar — a book-style foldable smartphone that oozes style, class…