On Wednesday, Google unveiled the Pixel 9a, marking the expansion of its budget-friendly “a” series lineup. This new addition caters to consumers looking for a more economical option, distinguishing itself from the premium offerings in the Pixel 9 series by forgoing certain high-end features.
Older Modem in Google Pixel 9a
According to a report, Google has verified that the Pixel 9a is equipped with Samsung’s Exynos 5300 modem. In contrast, the flagship models within the Pixel 9 range utilize the more advanced Exynos 5400 modem, which enhances performance with increased peak downlink speeds and satellite connectivity thanks to the 3GPP Release 17 standard, along with improvements to battery efficiency.
Even though the Pixel 9a is powered by the same Tensor G4 SoC found in flagship models, differences arise in connectivity capabilities. This information was previously reported by Android Authority, highlighting that the Pixel 9a’s modem employs Integrated Package on Package (IPoP) technology rather than the Fan-Out Panel Level Packaging (FOPLP) employed in its higher-end counterparts.
The Exynos 5300 modem made its initial appearance with the Pixel 7 series in October 2022 as an upgraded option over the Pixel 6’s Shannon A5123 5G modem, which faced criticism for issues like call drops and sluggish 5G performance.
Nevertheless, the Exynos 5300 itself experienced challenges, with users reporting issues related to excessive battery drainage and network inconsistencies. Google has since addressed these challenges through the release of the latest Pixel 9 series alongside the Exynos 5400 chipset, which offers a peak download speed of 14.79Gbps and satellite connectivity. This advancement positions Samsung’s modem as a formidable rival to the Snapdragon X75 5G found in the Samsung Galaxy S24 series.
