Google Pixel 9a kills the camera bump

Google released the Pixel 9 to mostly rave reviews last summer. However, one major point of contention between Pixel fans was the Pixel 9’s new camera bump.

The Pixel 9’s camera bump is massive. It’s roughly one-third as thick as the entire Pixel 9 itself. While some Pixel users don’t mind the camera bump, the ones that do have forced Google to defend the Pixel 9’s camera design. The camera bump on the base Pixel 9 model is so thick that the device is now roughly as thick as Apple’s pro iPhone models.

Well, if the camera bump on the Pixel 9 was the one thing stopping you from getting the phone, we have some good news. 

The new Pixel 9a kills the camera bump completely.

Pixel 9a: No camera bump

Google’s latest “budget” phone, the Pixel 9a, has a flat back design. The cameras are still located where you’d usually find them on other Pixel phones, but Google created the new Pixel 9a with a flat back profile with rounded corners and a water droplet-like design.

It’s easily the first thing you’ll notice about the Pixel 9a and it immediately sets the device apart from not only the rest of the Pixel phones, but other current generation smartphones from other companies as well.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

According to Google, the company didn’t set out to give the Pixel 9a the flat back design. However, while working on the device, a number of advancements made the flat back design possible.

For example, the Pixel team was able to shrink the camera module in the device. In addition to that, the display on the Pixel 9a is much thinner than the display typically used on similarly-priced smartphone models. These changes along with other improvements made the flat back design possible.

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Google’s Pixel line was already unique in its camera placement. Unlike most other smartphones which have their cameras built into a box on the upper corner of the back of the phone, Pixel phones like the Pixel 9 have a horizontal camera bar across the entire back of the device. There’s still a camera bump, but it’s more symmetrical along the back of Pixel phones as opposed to just one side lifting up.

With the Pixel 9a, however, there is no camera bar. That’s likely due to the fact that there’s no need to factor in the camera bump. The cameras are designed side-by-side in that droplet-esque indent on the upper left-side of the back of the phone.

And, yes, Mashable tested out if you can lay the camera bumpless Pixel 9a down flat on a table or other flat surface. You can!

Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable