The Google Pixel 9a was unveiled on Wednesday, expanding the company’s budget-friendly “a” series lineup. To offer a more accessible price, the new phone forgoes several features found in the premium Pixel 9 models. While the Pixel 9a retains some artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities fueled by Google’s large language model (LLM), sources indicate that the device’s reduced 8GB RAM necessitates the use of a more compact version of the Gemini Nano compared to its higher-end siblings.
Compact Gemini Model in the Google Pixel 9a
The Pixel 9a is equipped with the same Tensor G4 system-on-chip (SoC) as its flagship counterparts, yet operates with a lesser 8GB of RAM. This limitation has prompted Google to introduce a new LLM to power the phone’s AI functionalities. According to reports, the company has confirmed to ArsTechnica that the Pixel 9a utilizes the Gemini Nano 1.0 XXS (extra extra small) LLM to conserve resources and limit challenges associated with local AI processing due to memory restrictions.
In contrast to the more advanced models, the LLM on the Pixel 9a does not operate continuously in the background. Instead, it only activates when needed. However, this may lead to less responsive performance for certain features.
A significant drawback is that the LLM lacks multimodal capabilities, restricting it to processing only text-based commands. This limitation raises concerns regarding the availability of several features, such as the Pixel Screenshots app. Initially launched with the Pixel 9 series, the app is designed to pull information from stored screenshots and provide responses to user queries. According to reports, it may not be included in Google’s new budget-friendly device.
Additionally, the absence of Call Notes—an AI-driven feature that uses Gemini Nano to summarize calls—could be another limitation for users. This feature’s reliance on audio processing suggests it may not function on the Pixel 9a. Despite these omissions, the device will include Recorder Summaries, which transcribes audio recordings and provides users with a summary of the content.
It is important to mention that none of the alleged missing features on the Google Pixel 9a have been officially confirmed by the company.
