The new Pixel 9a launches with an outdated feature drop from Android 15.
The Pixel 9a has officially launched, but it comes with an important caveat. Priced at $500, this latest budget phone from Google ships with older software, which means that buyers will have to hold off on accessing the new features introduced in the Android 15 feature drop. The eagerly awaited Modes menu, for instance, will not be available until the release of Android 16 in June. Recently, a detailed review by Android Police revealed that the Pixel 9a lacks the new Modes menu feature.
While it is technically listed in the settings, accessing it leads to a blank screen. Initially thought to be a bug, this absence has been confirmed by Google as an intentional design choice. They clarified that the Pixel 9a will receive the Modes feature with the next Pixel Drop, which will coincide with quarterly feature updates. As it stands, the Pixel 9a only ships with an April security patch, utilizing a stable build from December for testing and carrier approval purposes.
This means users will miss out on newer features, including the Modes menu and other enhancements until Android 16 arrives. Fortunately, Google has expedited the release schedule for major Android updates, with Android 16 expected in June rather than later in the year. Although waiting two months may be mildly frustrating, the overall value offered by the Pixel 9a remains strong. For most users, the absence of some advanced features, like satellite SOS and upgrades to Pixel Screenshots, isn’t likely to deter them from enjoying this excellent smartphone option at a competitive price.
Thus, if you can tolerate the wait, the Pixel 9a remains a solid choice.
