Google has announced a release date for its much-delayed budget smartphone, the Pixel 9A, which was held back to investigate a component quality issue.
The device will be released in the US, Canada and the UK on April 10, with a wider European release on April 14, and a launch in Australia, India, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia two days later.
When questioned about the delay, Google spokesman Matt Flegal revealed that a passive component in the Pixel 9A did not meet the company’s “rigorous quality standards for device longevity”.
The Pixel 9A starts at $499 and includes an upgraded Tensor G4 chip and a larger display than its predecessor.
However, it runs a more limited version of AI model Gemini, meaning it will lack certain features, such as Pixel Screenshots and Call Notes.