The bump was better: How Google smoothed away the Pixel 9a’s identity

Run your fingers across the back of the Google Pixel 9a, and you’ll notice something missing. The distinctive camera bar, a hallmark of recent Pixel design, is gone. By removing that signature element, Google hasn’t just flattened the phone’s profile but has also stripped away much of the Pixel’s unique character, leaving it looking bland to say the least.

For me, a phone isn’t just a functional tool. It should be visually appealing as well — something unique I actually enjoy looking at and holding. The latest Pixel 9a, with this design shift, has lost that vital spark, and frankly, I’m not a fan.