Google has officially unveiled thePixel 9a, but strangely, it’s not yet available for pre-order on theGoogle Store. This is puzzling because Google typically makes its devices available for pre-order as soon as they are announced. However, it appears that Google has encountered an issue with the new mid-range phone.

According toThe Verge, pre-orders for the Pixel 9a have been held back, citing “a component quality issue.” This clarifies why Google stated in itspress releaseabout the phone that it would be available “beginning in April” without providing an exact date. It was widely expected that the Pixel 9a would ship before the end of March, but all hope of that is now gone.

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Google’s mid-range Pixel 9a offers impressive high-end features like a 48-megapixel main shooter, a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera with macro, its Tensor G4 chip, and 8GB of RAM, all in a cost-effective $500 package.

In case you missed all the leaks, here’s the first official look at the Pixel 9a

Google’s entry-level Pixel 9a offers impressive specs for a reasonable $500 price.

Google made the right decision

Better safe than sorry

Although the slight delay of the Google Pixel 9a is disappointing, Google has made the right choice by postponing the phone’s release. It’s better for the release to be delayed by a week or two than to ship thousands of devices that might have a quality control issue. In its statement to The Verge, Google mentioned that the issue is only “affecting a small number of Pixel 9a devices,” but still, in this case, better safe than sorry.

Review units of the device have not been sent out to the media yet either. However, in the grand scheme of things, the delay will likely be worth it. The Pixel 9a appears to be a veryambitious mid-range smartphone, as evidenced by its new sleek design featuring a recessed camera bump – a departure from the design of thePixel 8aand thePixel 9 series. It has Google’s latest chipset, the Tensor G4, and a 6.3-inch pOLED display with a 1,080 x 2,424 pixel resolution, 60-120Hz variable refresh rate, and a Corning Gorilla Class 3 cover.

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The phone will surely give the $600iPhone 16ea run for its money, as the Pixel 9a costs $100 cheaper at $500. The Pixel 9a should be available for pre-order on the Google Store soon, and other retail partners, once Google addresses the quality control issue.

Samsung confirms One UI 7 launch date, but the US will have to wait a bit longer

Samsung has confirmed One UI 7’s global rollout starts on April 7 for the Galaxy S24 series, but it will begin a little later in the US.

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One UI 7 on Galaxy S25+.