Google's Next Budget Phone Virtually Eliminates the Camera Bump

[MacRumors]

Google appears to be tackling one of smartphones' most persistent design quirks – the camera bump. According to leaked renders published by Android Headlines, the upcoming Pixel 9A will feature an almost flush camera housing, which would be a significant departure from the bumper-sized camera bumps common in modern smartphones.

The mid-range device's camera module sits nearly level with the phone's chassis, based on side-view renders. That said, the design choice comes with at least one trade-off in camera specifications, as the Pixel 9A will reportedly feature a 48MP main lens, down from the 64MP sensor in its predecessor, the Pixel 8A. The phone will retain a 13MP ultrawide lens and a 13MP front-facing camera, according to the outlet.

Despite housing the camera components further inside the device, which will start at $499, Google has apparently managed to include what could be the largest battery ever in a Pixel phone. The 5,100mAh capacity battery exceeds even that of the premium $1,299 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, suggesting Google has found innovative ways to utilize the internal space.

Could Future iPhone Camera Bumps Get Smaller?

The camera bump on iPhones has been a contentious design element since its introduction with the iPhone 6 in 2014. Apple adopted the protrusion to maintain device thinness while accommodating more advanced camera technology, although the design prevented phones from lying flat on surfaces – a complaint that has persisted as camera bumps have grown increasingly prominent.

However, the trend toward slimmer profiles that is gaining momentum across the industry could see ever smaller camera bumps. Apple is reportedly developing an iPhone 17 Air model that will prioritize thinness over camera capabilities, according to rumors. The device is expected to feature a runway-style horizontal bar across the top of the phone, similar to the design seen on the Google Pixel 9 Pro.

• iPhone 17 Air Design, Specs, and More: All the Rumors So Far

To achieve the slimmed down design, the device is expected to have only one camera, as opposed to two or three. It's not clear whether that will reduce the extent to which the camera module protrudes from the case, but the Pixel 9A suggests the smartphone industry's new obsession with thinness could be coming after the camera bump next.

Article Link: Google's Next Budget Phone Virtually Eliminates the Camera Bump

 

[abatabia]

You’ve got to handle it to Google: they don’t keep the same design for very long, which is a good thing and a bad thing in my opinion. This render makes for a very generic looking phone

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

You’ve got to handle it to Google: they don’t keep the same design for very long, which is a good thing and a bad thing in my opinion. This render makes for a very generic looking phone

Generic, but practical - and the latter is what really counts.

I think people forget just how nice to hold and pocket the iPhone 5S/7 was. They were so much lighter and thinner than the current phones, which made them more convenient to have in a pocket and hold for extended periods.

 

[vertsix]

GOOD. Hopefully it inspires Apple to do the same!!

 

[spartan1967]

Finally, some innovation with a phone maker regarding this. Hope those who invest in this get a bigger battery in return.

 

[abatabia]

Generic, but practical - and the latter is what really counts.

I think people forget just how nice to hold and pocket the iPhone 5S/7 was. They were so much lighter and thinner than the current phones, which made them more convenient to have in a pocket and hold for extended periods.

I totally agree. Sometimes I miss how light and comfortable my 8 plus or 11PM were.

 

[vertsix]

On a related note, Google has been going ham on their phone designs. They're doing a great job.

 

[9081094]

GOOD. Hopefully it inspires Apple to do the same!!

You’ll probably see that coming in 2028 😂

 

[jouster]

I sense a great disturbance in the force. C’mon Apple…you can do this too.

 

[9081094]

GOOD. Hopefully it inspires Apple to do the same!!

It’s probably priced below or on par with the new iPhone SE. I’ll bet the Google phone will come with 120hz oled and better (dual) cameras.

 

[daemondust]

I still can't believe Apple thought the camera tumor was better than keeping the phone slightly thicker (and filling the space with battery)

 

[Mr_Ed]

I’ve said before I would gladly accept flatlining or even regressing a bit on camera specs if it meant the stupid bump goes away. Surely a multi-trillion$ corporation should be able to accomplish this.

Oh, wait . . . What am I saying? They can't even figure out how to respect your settings choices across an update.

 

[Premium1]

Google cooking apple in the design department. You love to see it. Maybe apple will get off their asses and quit with the same phone design for 6+ years.

 

[thefrost]

Take note Apple.

 

[Mike_Trivisonno]

No one likes the camera bump. It's stupid. Apple could have designed this flaw out of the iPhone but they just kept making it bigger and more annoying.

 

[Premium1]

You’ll probably see that coming in 2028 😂

*2038

 

[Ctrlos]

The band on the 9a is such a small protrusion already its likely they just removed what was superficial plastic and the lenses were already this flush. The problem now is that it is no longer recognisable as a Pixel, just another generic phone. (See also: S25 Ultra) They should have stuck a strip of different coloured plastic across the back by laminating 2 thin laters to keep the brand identity.

 

[9081094]

You’ve got to handle it to Google: they don’t keep the same design for very long, which is a good thing and a bad thing in my opinion. This render makes for a very generic looking phone

You mean it looks a lot like an iPhone without the extruding camerabumps. It will be priced similar to the iPhone SE, housing 2 cameras and probably more RAM and 120HZ oled display.

I don’t think the iPhone SE will attract any switchers because the difference in value for money never was more obvious.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

It’s probably priced below or on par with the new iPhone SE. I’ll bet the Google phone will come with 120hz oled and better (dual) cameras.

The 7a and 8a are/were $499 typically, but you can always find them on sale for much less, and yes, they are 120hz.

 

[Ctrlos]

No one likes the camera bump. It's stupid. Apple could have designed this flaw out of the iPhone but they just kept making it bigger and more annoying.

Larger sensors require the lens moving further away. Camera bumps are the price we pay for better mobile photography.

 

[neuropsychguy]

What problems does the camera bump cause? I'm just wondering if it disrupts someone's use of smartphones with it? Are people using their phones in a way that require the phone to lie perfectly flat on their back on a surface?

Edit: Before people react with thumbs down or angry or whatever emojis, I'm simply interested if the camera bump is a functional problem for someone or if it's an aesthetic issue. I'm not defending the camera bump at all, I'm just asking questions about people's issues with it.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Larger sensors require the lens moving further away. Camera bumps are the price we pay for better mobile photography.

Kinda sucks for those of us, like me, who really don't care about the cameras. I consider it the least interesting part of a phone.

 

[alchemistmuffin]

GOOD. Hopefully it inspires Apple to do the same!!

I sense a great disturbance in the force. C’mon Apple…you can do this too.

NO!!!!!!

This is MacBook Pro thinness again a la Jony Ive’s obsession of making things impossibly thin as possible. It’s going to result in tradeoffs that makes the phone worse and worse overtime.

The current thickness is perfect for Apple and for any smartphones. Any thinner than that, you got Jony Ives obsession of thinness which is not good at all.

 

[rovex]

And they have to ruin it by only have two of the colour ways with 256gb storage…

 

[uiop.]

Apple, please copy.