The Android phone you should buy your dad is just $349 | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.The Android phone you should buy your dad is just $349Comments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...GadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechGoogleCloseGooglePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GoogleThe Android phone you should buy your dad is just $349The 9A is the Pixel phone beloved by dads everywhere.The 9A is the Pixel phone beloved by dads everywhere.by Allison JohnsonCloseAllison JohnsonPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Allison JohnsonNov 29, 2025, 8:03 PM UTCLinkShareIf you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.The 9A will likely be replaced by a new model this spring, but when has Dad ever cared about keeping up with trends? Photo: Allison Johnson / The VergePart OfThe Verge’s guide to Black Friday 2025see all Allison JohnsonCloseAllison JohnsonPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Allison Johnson is a senior reviewer with over a decade of experience writing about consumer tech. She has a special interest in mobile photography and telecom. Previously, she worked at DPReview.Not to generalize, but the Google Pixel 9A is a classic dad phone. It’s not fussy. It’s durable and scheduled to get software updates for the better part of a decade. It’s a solid deal at its full $499 MSRP, but the Black Friday price of $349 is even sweeter. It’s the lowest we’ve seen the 9A on sale for, matching its Prime Day price. If Dad missed out on it back in October, he can strike now while the iron is hot again.Google Pixel 9A$349$49930% off$349The Pixel 9A adds more robust water resistance and a brighter, bigger screen to what was already a winning formula for a good midrange phone. Read our review.Read More$349 at Amazon$399 at Google$399 at Best BuyOf course, you don’t have to be a dad, a dude, or anyone in particular to appreciate the 9A. It’s missing some of the fancier features on the flagship Pixel phones (it’s now the only Google phone that doesn’t come with a telephoto camera), but it has a solid processor and a reliable camera.It runs Google’s streamlined Android implementation, so it might appeal to someone who finds Samsung software a little cluttered. And at $349, it’s also a good bet for anyone who wants to pay out of pocket for a phone and avoid financing or carrier deals. It’s a heck of a value proposition for the no-nonsense person in your life — dads and otherwise.Verge DealsSign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we’ve tested sent to your inbox weekly.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Allison JohnsonCloseAllison JohnsonPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Allison JohnsonBlack FridayCloseBlack FridayPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Black FridayDealsCloseDealsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All DealsGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsGoogleCloseGooglePosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GoogleGoogle PixelCloseGoogle PixelPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Google PixelTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechVerge ShoppingCloseVerge ShoppingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All Verge ShoppingMore In The Verge’s guide to Black Friday 2025See allI bought this $110 Nespresso rig and it’s been caffeinated bliss ever sinceVictoria Song32 minutes agoThis great 27-inch Studio Display alternative is cheaper than everAntonio G. Di BenedettoTwo hours agoThe 196 Black Friday deals you can still getBrandt RanjTwo hours agoMost PopularMost PopularThe Super Mario Galaxy bundle for the Switch is still 20 percent offWe found 40 surprisingly good Black Friday deals you can still grab for $30 or lessThe 194 best Black Friday deals you can still shop — a ton of tech is over half offApple’s most affordable iPad is over 20 percent off for Black FridayYou can play classic Nintendo games on these custom SNES-inspired Nike sneakersVerge DealsSign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we’ve tested sent to your inbox weekly.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Advertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adMore in Gadgets8Verge ScoreI’ve tested the latest Switch 2 controllers, and this one is the bestThe latest Nest Learning Thermostat is $70 off for Black FridayDisney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max are all over 60 percent off for Black FridayBuying a $100 Apple gift card will earn you a $15 Amazon creditWe handpicked 12 great gaming laptops that are hundreds off for Black FridayThe Super Mario Galaxy bundle for the Switch is still 20 percent offI’ve tested the latest Switch 2 controllers, and this one is the bestCameron Faulkner46 seconds agoThe latest Nest Learning Thermostat is $70 off for Black FridayVictoria SongTwo hours agoDisney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max are all over 60 percent off for Black FridayBrandon RussellTwo hours agoBuying a $100 Apple gift card will earn you a $15 Amazon creditCameron FaulknerTwo hours agoWe handpicked 12 great gaming laptops that are hundreds off for Black FridayAntonio G. Di BenedettoTwo hours agoThe Super Mario Galaxy bundle for the Switch is still 20 percent offCameron FaulknerTwo hours agoAdvertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native adTop StoriesTwo hours agoThe 196 Black Friday deals you can still getNov 28The dark side of optimizing your metabolism11:00 AM UTCAll the places I used my Trump Mobile wireless service this week5:56 PM UTCBlack Friday deals are still going strong on Apple AirTags, iPads, and more5:00 PM UTC97 percent of people struggle to identify AI music, but it’s not as bad as it seems1:00 PM UTCWhy Honda is suddenly launching reusable rocketsThe VergeThe Verge logo.FacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSContactTip UsCommunity GuidelinesArchivesAboutEthics StatementHow We Rate and Review ProductsCookie SettingsTerms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie PolicyLicensing FAQAccessibilityPlatform Status© 2025 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved

The Android phone recommended for a father figure, as highlighted in a Verge article, is the Google Pixel 9A. The article details a Black Friday sale offering the phone at $349, a significant reduction from its MSRP of $499. This recommendation centers around the phone’s suitability for a user prioritizing practicality and longevity over the latest technological advancements. The Pixel 9A is positioned as a robust and dependable device, particularly well-suited for someone who values a straightforward user experience and doesn't require the features often found in flagship models, such as a dedicated telephoto camera.

Key attributes contributing to this recommendation include the phone’s solid processor, a reliable camera system, and its operation on Google’s streamlined Android implementation, which is noted to be simpler than Samsung's software. The 9A also benefits from Google’s commitment to software updates for a projected decade, enhancing its long-term usability and security. Furthermore, the sale price of $349 represents a compelling value proposition, particularly for those seeking an out-of-pocket purchase without financing or carrier-associated deals. The article suggests that this phone would appeal to an individual prioritizing value and a no-nonsense approach to technology - a profile often associated with the concept of a ‘dad’. The Pixel 9A, therefore, is presented not as a cutting-edge device, but as a reliable and enduring tool.