Pixel 9a unboxing videos reveal a simpler modem

Google’s Pixel 9a is almost here, with an expected launch later this week. But before the official reveal, some early videos have popped up online, giving us a sneak peek at the phone—and hinting that its modem might not match the rest of the Pixel 9 family.

A YouTuber named Sahil Karoul got his hands on a Pixel 9a in Dubai. He picked up the “Iris” purple version and shared a full unboxing. The box looks just like the ones for other Pixel 9 phones—pretty basic, with a SIM tool, a USB-C cable, and a few papers inside. The video also highlights the phone’s smooth, matte purple finish on the back and sides, which looks pretty cool.

In the video, Sahil shows that the Pixel 9a runs on a Tensor G4 chip with 8GB of RAM. But the big news is the modem. The video shows a baseband code starting with “g5300,” which points to an Exynos 5300 modem. Other Pixel 9 models use a “g5400” code, tied to the newer Exynos 5400 modem. So, the Pixel 9a’s connection speed might feel closer to the older Pixel 8 than the shiny new Pixel 9.

The unboxing also includes some test scores from apps like AnTuTu and GeekBench, plus gameplay from PUBG Mobile, where the phone seems to hold up well. There are even a few camera shots to check out. Sahil’s video is in Hindi, but if you prefer English, another review from The Mobile Central (spotted by Android Police) covers the Pixel 9a too.

Google is likely dropping the Pixel 9a details later this week—rumors say March 19 could be the big day. For now, these early looks give us a solid idea of what’s coming, even if the modem news might disappoint some fans. Stay tuned!