Better than Black Friday! Pixel 9a is dirt cheap at $199 for a limited time

The Pixel 9a has one of the best values in a phone at its usual $499 cost. I saw it for as low as $399 since it was released earlier this year, but now it’s down to an even crazier amount for the holidays.

Mint Mobile is shaving $300 off the cost of the Pixel 9a for a limited time, which drops its price to $199. That’s an insane cost for a phone of its caliber, and when I think about this 60% off savings, it’s easily one of the best phone deals I recommend.

The only stipulation for this deal is that you must pay for an unlimited cell phone plan for an entire year, discounted to $180.

Google Pixel 9a: was $499 now $199 at Amazon

Mint Mobile has the Pixel 9a down to $199 when it's paired with its 1-year unlimited cell phone plan, which tacks on a $180 cost at checkout. You're paying $379 in total for this phone, which is a tremendous amount of savings given it normally costs $499. The best part? You pay one flat rate, then get a phone and a year's worth of service.

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Let me first put things into perspective because the Pixel 9a first launched at $499. I said in my Pixel 9a review that it’s the most well-rounded phone you can buy at under $500. But now that Mint Mobile’s selling it for $199, it’s even better than other best cheap phone contenders like the Nothing Phone 3a, CMF Phone 2 Pro, and any of the Moto G phones I’ve tested.

Against the cheapest phone from Apple, my Pixel 9a vs iPhone 16e face-off details exactly how Google widens the gap between these budget phones. I also shot over 200 photos between the two, showing how the Pixel 9a by default has the extra utility with its ultrawide camera and AI-assisted photo features.

In total, you’re spending $379 plus tax at checkout — which consists of the $199 cost for the Pixel 9a and another $180 for Mint Mobile’s unlimited plan. You could probably get the Pixel 9a for free from other carriers like T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T, but you end up paying costly for their respective unlimited plans.

The savings you’re getting here with Mint Mobile are mind-boggling because it comes out to $15/month. That’s way better than the $60+/month you pay with the others.

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