Pixel 9a launch pushed to April over part problem

Google has put off the release of its new Pixel 9a phone, a last-minute call caused by a “part quality problem.” The Pixel 9a was revealed today and looks like a great mid-range choice in Google’s family of phones. It’s different from the other Pixel 9 models because it skips the camera bar and comes with a bigger battery than any Pixel before it.

Normally, Google would have started selling the Pixel 9a next week—rumors pointed to March 26—but now it’s been pushed to April. Google shared with 9to5Google that pre-orders are paused for now, both on their own store and at places like Best Buy.

The delay stems from a “part quality problem” that’s affecting a few Pixel 9a units, though Google hasn’t said exactly what’s wrong. In a statement, they explained:

“We’re looking into a part quality issue that’s impacting a small batch of Pixel 9a phones.” It’s rare for Google to announce a phone and not let people order it right away. The fact that there’s no set release date yet makes it seem like this hiccup popped up just before the big reveal. For now, Google is letting people sign up for email alerts to know when the Pixel 9a will be available. Fans are hoping this issue gets fixed fast and doesn’t turn into a bigger headache later on. At $499, this phone still promises to be a solid deal once it’s ready.