The Google Pixel 9A, a budget-friendly smartphone, has been found to be lacking in certain features of its Gemini AI system. According to Google, the phone's limited 8GB of memory is the reason behind the omission of features like Pixel Screenshots and Call Notes.

Pixel Screenshots, which uses AI to make screenshots searchable, and Call Notes, which generates AI summaries of phone calls, are two key features that are absent in the Pixel 9A's version of Gemini AI. This is in contrast to the more expensive Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which come with a more advanced version of Gemini AI and support these features.

The Pixel 9A's Gemini AI system is based on the Gemini Nano 1.0 XXS model, which is a smaller on-device AI model compared to the Gemini Nano XS model found in the more expensive Pixel devices. The Gemini Nano XXS model only runs when needed and doesn't operate in the background, according to Ars Technica.

It's worth noting that the Pixel 9A still supports summaries of audio from the Recorder app, which relies on transcriptions. However, the lack of Pixel Screenshots and Call Notes may be a significant drawback for users who rely on these features.

This is not the first time that Google has limited the features of its Gemini AI system on a mid-range device. Last year, the company only added Gemini AI to the Pixel 8 Pro, but later launched it on the mid-range Pixel 8 following user complaints. The model used on the Pixel 8 is also Gemini Nano XXS, according to Google.

The limited features of the Pixel 9A's Gemini AI system may be a compromise that Google had to make to keep the device's price affordable. However, it's unclear why the company couldn't have found a way to include these features, even if it meant reducing the device's overall performance.

Despite this limitation, the Pixel 9A remains a mid-range phone that offers good value for its price. The device comes with the same Tensor G4 chip as its more expensive counterparts, which provides a significant boost in performance. However, users who rely heavily on the features of Gemini AI may want to consider other options.

It remains to be seen how this limitation will affect the sales of the Pixel 9A. Google's decision to limit the features of its Gemini AI system on a mid-range device may be a calculated risk, but it's one that could ultimately impact the device's popularity.