The Pixel 9a comes with a toned-down version of Google's AI, missing some key features found in the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup.
Google’s high-end Pixel 9 models run Gemini Nano XS.
However, the Pixel 9a runs on a smaller AI model called Gemini Nano 1.0 XXS.
Google has made AI a core part of its Pixel experience, but not all models get the same treatment. The newly launched Pixel 9a comes with a toned-down version of Google’s AI, missing some key features found in the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup. The reason? Hardware limitations—specifically, its lower RAM capacity. Keep reading for the details.
Unlike the flagship Pixel models with 12GB of RAM, the Pixel 9a has only 8GB. Google has confirmed to Ars that this memory difference prevents the phone from running the full suite of Pixel AI features. While users can still access Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, via the power button or the Gemini app, the on-device AI model has been scaled down.
Google’s high-end Pixel 9 models run Gemini Nano XS. However, the Pixel 9a runs on a smaller version called Gemini Nano 1.0 XXS. This extra-small AI model consumes fewer resources but also lacks some capabilities.
One of the biggest drawbacks is that Gemini Nano XXS does not support multimodal processing—it can only handle text, not images or audio. In comparison, the flagship Pixels use Gemini Nano to process various types of data, enabling advanced AI features.
Missing AI features on Pixel 9a
Because of the limited AI model, the Pixel 9a lacks some of Google’s AI-powered features. For instance, it does not include the Pixel Screenshots app, which uses AI to analyze and create a searchable database of screenshots. Also, the phone lacks the Call Notes feature, which generates summaries of phone conversations using AI.
Additionally, the phone may not support the new AI-powered scam detection feature for calls, although Google has not officially confirmed this.
Also read: Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a: Price, camera, design, specifications and more
It’s important to note that despite these limitations, some AI-powered features remain intact. The Pixel 9a still supports Recorder summaries, as they rely on text-based processing rather than direct audio analysis. The Recorder app first transcribes audio into text, which is then summarised by Gemini Nano XXS.
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Ayushi Jain
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