No free Gemini upgrade with the new Pixel 9a
Google’s next budget-friendly phone, the Pixel 9a, is expected to be a great choice for those looking for a good phone without spending too much. But there’s a catch – it won’t include the free Gemini Advanced feature that comes with other Pixel models.
AI is a big deal for Pixel phones these days. Google usually offers several months of Gemini Advanced even with their cheapest models, giving a whole year to those who buy the Pro versions. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for the Pixel 9a.
According to leaks reported by Android Headlines, the Pixel 9a will come with some nice free extras, but not the AI boost. You’ll get 6 months of free Fitbit Premium, 3 months of free YouTube Premium, and 3 months of Google One storage. This package is similar to what you get with the current Pixel 8a.
However, the Google One storage part is just the 100GB plan, which is less than what you might expect. It’s not just about having less storage for a shorter time; you also won’t get the Gemini upgrade because that’s only available in the “AI Premium” plan with 2TB of storage.
It’s not shocking that the Pixel 9a’s offers match those of the Pixel 8a, especially since the price isn’t expected to increase. But with Google pushing AI more than ever, many hoped the Pixel 9a would come with some kind of Gemini Advanced bonus.