Google on other designs it explored for the Pixel 9a camera – 9to5Google

🔍 Summary:

Google recently unveiled the Pixel 9a, and alongside its launch, the company shared insights into the design process, particularly the exploration of various rear camera bump designs. The design team considered multiple shapes and sizes for the camera bump, focusing on aesthetics, durability, and impact resistance. The final design features a minimally domed pill shape, positioned centrally at the top of the device, differing from earlier models that had more pronounced camera elevations.

In addition to the camera design, Google introduced a thinner plastic OLED (pOLED) panel in the Pixel 9a. This new panel not only enhances the display’s brightness—from 2,000 to 2,700 nits—but also improves power efficiency and allows for a more compact camera placement. This change contributes to a sleeker design and creates extra space internally for a larger battery.

The Pixel 9a also debuts a new color called Iris, which updates the Purple-ish colorway popular with previous Pixel models. Iris has a dual-tone appearance that can look blue or purple depending on the lighting, designed to be both unique and broadly appealing.

Additionally, the Pixel 9a case is designed to showcase the phone’s color through a strategically placed cutout that surrounds the camera and flash, ensuring the device’s color is visible without removing the case. This feature aligns with Google’s goal of making the Pixel 9a not just a functional device but also a stylish one that maintains the familiar Pixel aesthetic.

📌 Source: http://9to5google.com/2025/04/11/pixel-9a-camera-design/