Unfortunate: Google’s All-New Pixel 9a Has An Older Modem; How Will This Affect You?

The Google Pixel 9a was launched on March 19, and as expected, it packs some welcome upgrades. It has Google’s own Tensor G4 chipset, a powerful 5,100mAh battery, and a sleek new design with an almost invisible camera bump.

However, the Pixel 9a’s connectivity has reportedly been downgraded because it features an older modem in comparison to those packed in other Pixel 9 devices.

Even though the Pixel 9a has the same Tensor G4 chip as the flagship Pixel 9 range, Google has apparently confirmed to Android Authority that Samsung’s Exynos 5300 modem is used in the new Pixel 9a. 

The Pixel 9 series, on the other hand, has the more recent Exynos 5400 modem, which allows greater peak downlink rates and satellite connectivity according to the 3GPP Release 17 standard and enhances battery life.

The Exynos 5300 modem could be a significant downgrade for the all-new Pixel 9a. Notably, previous Pixels packing this modem—especially the Pixel 6 series—had mediocre cellular reception and terrible battery life on cellular data, with massive user complaints regarding this online.

Despite making improvements to the performance over the years, Google finally went with the Exynos 5400 for the Pixel 9 series in 2024. Not only did the Exynos 5400 modem allow satellite connectivity and offer faster peak downlink speeds, but it was also more efficient too.

However, it now appears that Google made some compromises on flagship-level features in a bid to keep the Pixel 9a’s price down, and the older modem is one of them.

The Pixel 9a will be available for purchase beginning in April, so it’s still too early to confirm whether the older modem has been improved or not or whether users will face issues with cellular reception, heating or battery life again.

Let’s hope not!