Tech Desk 
Mar 24, 2025
A recent survey has revealed that a majority of users are concerned about the Pixel 9a’s older modem. The upcoming Google Pixel 9a is expected to be a strong mid-range phone, featuring the Tensor G4 chip, similar to the Pixel 9 series.
However, it will use the Exynos Modem 5300 instead of the newer Exynos Modem 5400, which could impact connectivity.
In a survey with over 4,400 votes, nearly 40% of users said they are worried about the modem downgrade but will wait for reviews before making a decision. Meanwhile, 36.6% of respondents called it a dealbreaker, meaning over 75% of users are concerned about this change.
The Exynos Modem 5300 was previously used in Pixel 6, 7, and 8 series phones. While newer Pixels improved connectivity, earlier models faced signal drops, overheating, and battery drain on 5G networks.
Users have reported issues like losing network coverage on highways, slow reconnections, and unreliable cellular performance compared to phones with Qualcomm or MediaTek modems.
However, some users said they never experienced issues with the Pixel 6a and 7a, suggesting that the Pixel 9a may still perform well for some people. Google has also improved modem performance through software updates, fixing past connectivity problems.
