The Pixel 10a is lastly right here, and it is… acquainted. Google’s newly unveiled mid-range Pixel is up for preorder now and can hit shops on March 5, providing you with a few weeks to resolve if it is for you. Nonetheless, in the event you’re conversant in Google’s current Pixel launches, together with final 12 months’s Pixel 9a, the choice won’t be simple.
At first look, there’s quite a bit to love in regards to the Pixel 10a, however there’s quite a bit that will make you hesitate to buy one over one other Pixel machine. So let’s break down what we all know in regards to the Pixel 10a that can assist you resolve if it is value shopping for and to focus on who the 10a is admittedly for.
Why you can purchase the Pixel 10a
Out of the gate, some of the apparent causes you can purchase the Pixel 10a is the worth. At $499, the Pixel 10a is squarely within the mid-range and virtually half the worth of the bottom Pixel 10. This is similar worth the Pixel 9a launched at, and it is good to see that Google did not elevate it regardless of the reminiscence scarcity ravaging the tech trade.
The Pixel 10a might be one of many higher choices at this worth level. Not solely does it include a (technically) flagship chipset, however you get all the advantages of different Pixel smartphones, together with Google’s Gemini AI options and lengthy software program replace promise (seven years of OS upgrades, safety patches, and Pixel Drops).
Along with the digicam high quality and options we have come to count on from most Pixel smartphones, the Pixel 10a presents some you will not discover on the Pixel 9a, resembling Macro Focus. Auto Finest Take is one in all our favourite options that helps you seize higher group pictures, permitting you to pick out the right expressions for every individual. Digital camera Coach is one other characteristic launched with the Pixel 10 collection, which makes use of AI that can assist you compose higher pictures primarily based on the picture topic.
The Pixel 10a additionally brings another notable upgrades that we like to see on a $500 cellphone. The upgraded Gorilla Glass 7i ought to present extra safety than the Pixel 9a, and the display can be brighter at 3,000 nits, making it lots usable outdoor. Satellite tv for pc SOS additionally is not a standard characteristic on Android telephones, and it may be helpful if you end up in an emergency with no community reception.
Lastly, the improved battery and charging specs ought to attraction to anybody who prefers to have their cellphone final all day. Regardless of having the same-sized battery as its predecessor, the 10a is rated to last more on a single cost: 30+ hours or as much as 120 hours with Battery Saver. We referred to as the Pixel 9a the “Energizer cellphone” once we reviewed it final 12 months, and we count on the Pixel 10a to stay as much as the identify.
The sooner 30W charging is a pleasant improve, particularly because it’s technically sooner than the $800 Galaxy 25, and in the event you like wi-fi charging, Google has upped the pace from 7.5W on the Pixel 9a to 10W on the Pixel 10a. It isn’t a pace demon, however it’s nonetheless a pleasant improve nonetheless.
Why you should not purchase the Pixel 10a
The Pixel 10a is not a nasty cellphone for the worth, however when in comparison with its predecessor and different telephones in its worth vary, some might discover it arduous to justify shopping for this over one thing else. In truth, it is most likely one of many smallest generational upgrades we have seen on Pixel telephones.
You’d need to squint to see the variations between the Pixel 9a and Pixel 10a. The latter has a extra flush again, which ought to make the general design a tad nicer, however in the end, in the event you weren’t a fan of the Pixel 9a’s design, you will not like this one both. At 9mm, it is a thick cellphone, thicker than the Galaxy S25 Extremely and even the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (not counting the cameras). And you may seemingly wish to throw on a case, which is able to make the cellphone even thicker.
Talking of cameras, in the event you want a telephoto lens, the Pixel 10a won’t be for you. True, Google’s Tremendous Res Zoom can ship spectacular outcomes, however it’s simply not the identical as a devoted telephoto sensor. A cellphone just like the Galaxy S25 FE could be a greater possibility in the event you do not thoughts spending a little bit extra for a telephoto lens and sooner 45W charging.
The Pixel 10a additionally lacks Qi2 help, which was launched on the Pixel 10 collection. This seemingly would have made the cellphone thicker and dearer, however it’s unlucky that Google did not even embody the spec sans the built-in magnets, much like the Galaxy S25 collection. Google already has Pixelsnap instances, which embody built-in magnets themselves, so it might have simply leaned on this whereas giving us sooner wi-fi charging speeds.
However after all, I’ve to handle the elephant within the room: the chipset. The Pixel 10a is powered by the identical Tensor G4 chip and 8GB of RAM discovered within the Pixel 9a. It is a curious transfer to not use the Tensor G5, one seemingly made to maintain the 10a reasonably priced amid the reminiscence scarcity. Nonetheless, it appears to restrict the 10a’s efficiency and capabilities, because the cellphone doesn’t help sure AI options discovered on the Pixel 10 collection, resembling Magic Cue and Pixel Screenshots.
That is to not say the Tensor G4 is not nonetheless a high-quality chip, however Tensor already tends to fall brief subsequent to comparable Snapdragon chips, so we’d have preferred to see some enhancements on the chipset entrance, no less than to the newest model. I already hate seeing firms like Motorola pull the identical transfer with their midrange smartphones, which typically sport the identical chips as their predecessors.
Google Pixel 9a half 2
Finally, the Google Pixel 10a is a blended bag so far as upgrades go. There are some noteworthy modifications and spec bumps, however the cellphone is almost an identical to its predecessor, inside and outside. It feels much less like a less expensive Pixel 10 and extra like a redo of the Pixel 9a.
Google little question needed to make some robust selections to maintain the 10a reasonably priced. On paper, it is not a nasty cellphone, however as a client, why get the brand new factor when the previous factor is just about the identical and certain going to be cheaper? Particularly when the previous factor will most probably obtain lots of the similar “new” options. That mentioned, if you will discover some good Pixel 10a preorder offers, then it would very effectively be value grabbing.
Tell us what you assume: Are you interested by shopping for the Pixel 10a? Additionally, take a look at this unique article from IDC, which highlights why the Pixel 10a is definitely a sensible transfer from Google.
