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When you’re available in the market for an inexpensive Android cellphone, chances are high you’ve been low cost Pixel telephones — particularly, the Google Pixel 9a. Launched final April, the Pixel 9a is about pretty much as good because it will get for a funds handset. It’s well-made, has good cameras, and has unbelievable software program. There’s a cause the 9a is our high decide for the finest low cost cellphone to purchase in 2026.

Nonetheless, I’m right here at this time to argue why you shouldn’t purchase the Pixel 9a — a minimum of, not proper now. The Pixel 9a stays an excellent Android cellphone, however if you wish to be as sensible along with your cash as potential, right here’s why you must wait earlier than shopping for.

My reasoning for that is easy: the Pixel 10a. Rumors strongly recommend that Google’s subsequent low cost Pixel cellphone is true across the nook, with a reported launch date of February 18. In different phrases, the Pixel 9a is only a few days away from being changed.

As for what we’re anticipating from the Pixel 10a, the cellphone is shaping as much as be a fairly minor improve. {Hardware}-wise, Google doesn’t seem like altering a lot. The core design of the Pixel 10a ought to be nearly an identical to the Pixel 9a, save for barely smaller show bezels. We additionally count on a “boosted” model of the Pixel 9a’s Tensor G4 chip within the Pixel 10a, doubtless delivering higher day-to-day efficiency. Because it’ll be a 12 months newer, you’ll obtain an extra 12 months of software program assist from the 10a than from the 9a.

Nonetheless, that’s principally it. Different facets of the Pixel 10a — comparable to its cameras, battery life, charging pace, and software program — ought to be an identical to its predecessor. The Pixel 9a was a considerable improve over the Pixel 8a, however assuming the leaks/rumors are correct, the Pixel 10a will likely be one of many tamest year-over-year {hardware} updates we’ve seen for a funds Pixel cellphone shortly.

It’s all the time potential that Google has some shock options hidden up its sleeve that haven’t leaked but, however all indicators level to the Pixel 10a not being rather more than a souped-up Pixel 9a — and that’s not essentially a nasty factor.

If we aren’t anticipating a lot from the Pixel 10a, what’s the purpose of ready for it to come back out as an alternative of simply shopping for a Pixel 9a proper now? I’m glad you requested.

When Google releases a brand new Pixel cellphone, a few issues normally occur: The brand new cellphone is bought alongside beneficiant pre-order offers/promotions, whereas the previous cellphone that’s being changed typically sees hefty reductions to filter out remaining stock.

Final 12 months, for instance, Google elevated trade-in values, permitting you to purchase the Pixel 9a for as little as $99, and provided $100 in Google Retailer credit score towards your subsequent buy — successfully making the cellphone free. We additionally noticed quite a few service promotions, together with some that provided invoice credit for the cellphone’s full worth.

The Pixel 10a will nearly actually obtain related remedy, and because it’s anticipated to have the identical $499 retail worth because the Pixel 9a, we might see just about an identical pre-order promotions. You would purchase the Pixel 9a at this time (which is at present on sale for $399), but when we’re only a few days away from with the ability to get the newer Pixel 10a for much less and even free of charge, ready is the precise name.

Even if you happen to don’t need to mess with trade-in or service offers, I’d nonetheless suggest holding out for the 10a. Amazon provided $100 present playing cards with Pixel 9a purchases final 12 months, with no strings hooked up, bringing the efficient whole worth to simply $399. And following the Pixel 10a’s launch, Google and third-party retailers will doubtless drop the Pixel 9a’s worth decrease than we’ve ever seen — probably to $349 or much less.

In brief, you successfully have three choices as soon as the Pixel 10a is launched:

1. Purchase the Pixel 10a with trade-in or service offers, doubtless bringing the associated fee right down to $99 or much less.
2. Purchase the Pixel 10a with no trade-in or service deal and get the cellphone for an efficient $399 worth after free present card promos.
3. Purchase the Pixel 9a after the Pixel 10a’s launch and probably get it for lower than its present sale worth.

Checked out this manner, I feel it’s straightforward to see why ready for the Pixel 10a and never shopping for a Pixel 9a at this time is smart. And with that rumored February 18 launch date proper across the nook, you don’t have that for much longer to go.