(Image source from: Google)

On Wednesday, Google introduced the Pixel 9a, the latest member of its budget-friendly “a” series. In order to offer a more affordable device, the phone does not include some features found in the flagship Pixel 9 models. Although the Pixel 9a retains AI capabilities powered by Google’s extensive language model, sources indicate that the reduced memory of 8GB RAM necessitates a smaller edition of Gemini Nano to operate compared to its higher-end versions. The device utilizes the same Tensor G4 system on a chip as the other Pixel 9 models, yet its lower RAM capacity has led Google to deploy a new language model to manage its AI functionalities. According to reports, a representative from Google confirmed to ArsTechnica that the Pixel 9a operates on Gemini Nano 1.0 XXS (extra extra small) to conserve resources and address challenges associated with local AI processes due to limited memory.

Unlike the flagship models, the language model on the Pixel 9a does not run continuously in the background but instead activates only when necessary. This may result in certain features being slightly less responsive. More concerningly, the language model lacks multimodal capabilities, so it can only interpret text-based input. This raises questions about the potential unavailability of various multimodal functionalities, such as the Pixel Screenshots app, which might not be accessible on this phone. This application, which was introduced with the Pixel 9 series last year, allows users to extract information from saved screenshots and respond to queries. Reports suggest that this app may not be included in Google’s most recent budget device.

Additionally, the Call Notes feature, which relies on AI and uses Gemini Nano to summarize phone calls automatically, is likely not present on the Pixel 9a due to its need for audio processing. Despite the absence of some features, the device will offer Recorder Summaries, which generates transcriptions of recorded audio along with a summary. However, it is essential to note that Google has not officially confirmed any of the features reported to be missing from the Pixel 9a.