Here’s a look at a few of the aesthetic changes you’ll see in Pixel 9a, and what Googlers who worked on the new device love about the updates.
1. Goodbye to the Camera Bar
The team started the design process by identifying Pixel 9a’s personality, which they define as playful, approachable and family-friendly. “We wanted to have a physical interpretation that would match the personality of the device,” says Soniya. So the team came up with a new design that kept the iconically Pixel pill-shaped camera but allowed them to have fun with other elements, like embracing a new minimalism that prioritized simplicity and ease of use.
Case in point: the omission of the Pixel Camera Bar and shrinking of the camera lens’ bump. Pixel 9a has a nearly flat back, so it slides easily into a pocket and sits flatly on a surface. The slight curve of the remaining camera bump (more of a dome, really) is also reminiscent of the water droplet shape of the Pixel Watch. “And if you put a case on it, there’s no bump at all,” industrial designer Yomi Matsuoka says. “The rear camera bump is actually shallower than the case itself.”
