Some of Google’s coolest AI features don’t work on the 9a.

Google can’t make a move in 2025 without veering into the realm of generative AI, and the release of the Pixel 9a is no exception. Curiously, the AI experience on this phone may not match what you’ve seen from the company’s high-end smartphones. Google has confirmed to Ars that the phone’s lower memory prevented it from implementing the full suite of Pixel AI features. You can still talk to Gemini by holding the power button or opening the Gemini app, but the on-device Gemini Nano model has seen a downgrade on the 9a.

  • QuadratureSurfer@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    3 days ago

    Yeah, they definitely should focus on adding more RAM to their flagship phones, but smaller models are ideal for smartphones.

    Smaller models are quicker to run and use up less battery. Besides, if they’re using some AI models I would rather it be run locally than have my data uploaded to some server somewhere (big assumption that they wouldn’t do that anyway, I know)… Or at the very least I can still run it even if the network goes down.

    • Ulrich@feddit.orgEnglish
      3·
      3 days ago

      I understand that but they’re making an entire model just for this one device?