You should probably go buy a Pixel 9a right now

Alex Angove-Plumb - Digital Content Editor

Last updated 18 March 2026

Google is running a sale on last year’s Pixel 9a mid-range smartphone. Until March 25, you can pick one up from the Google Play store starting at $699, down from the previous $849 (though in reality it had already dropped to $799 in recent weeks). Why is this noteworthy? Because the 9a is the phone so good they made it twice.

If you’re not enough of a tech geek to get the joke, Google recently released the updated Pixel 10a – but barely changed anything between the two models. They even look pretty much the same. Yet even with the lack of upgrades, the Pixel 10a is still one of the best phones you can get for its RRP of $849.

Given they’re essentially the same phone, picking a Pixel 9a up for $699 is serious value. The main thing that might give you pause is you'll only get six years of Android updates with the 9a, instead of the full seven Google guarantees from a phone’s release date.

Buying a phone outright like this, instead of on a telco plan, also means you can sign up to a cheap plan from a smaller provider. These plans can cost significantly less than those from Telstra, Optus or Vodafone, so in the long run you’ve spent less on both your phone and your plan: win-win.

If you’d like a hand getting started, here’s a look at some of the more popular plans with our visitors over the last seven days, all of which start at under $20 per month:

TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 50GB Medium Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 22GB 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $12.50 - Get 22GB for only $12.50 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $25/22GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 32GB 32GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $15 - Get 32GB for only $15 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $30/32GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

Alternatively, Optus has a decent deal going right now, if you need more than one phone. Grab the new Pixel 10a on a 24 or 36-month repayment plan and get a Pixel 9a for free. This is pretty close to a 2-for-1 deal, in terms of the handset. Here's a look at Optus' Pixel 10a plans for comparison:

Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: Save $300 when you pay over 36 months and stay connected on select SIM plans. Ends 6/10/26. $54.24/mth Min. cost $887.88 Go to Site	$54.24/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $887.88	Go to Site
Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: Save $300 when you pay over 36 months and stay connected on select SIM plans. Ends 6/10/26. $84.24/mth Min. cost $917.88 Go to Site	$84.24/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $917.88	Go to Site
Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: Save $300 when you pay over 36 months and stay connected on select SIM plans. Ends 6/10/26. $85.24/mth Min. cost $918.88 Go to Site	$85.24/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $918.88	Go to Site
Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 36 mths device payments Deal: Save $300 when you pay over 36 months and stay connected on select SIM plans. Ends 6/10/26. $105.24/mth Min. cost $938.88 Go to Site	$105.24/mth (plan + phone) Min. cost $938.88	Go to Site

Alex Angove-Plumb

Digital Content Editor

Alex Angove-Plumb is a Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut and an award-winning journalist. He's been in the tech publishing industry since 2010, putting him a few short years away from the title of Grizzled Ancient in his chosen profession. He was an original WhistleOut-er before running NBN Co's corporate blog for two years, then moving on to a lengthy stint at CHOICE. Now he's come home.

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