Google has simply introduced its newest mid-range smartphone, the Pixel 10a. Whereas I haven’t had an opportunity to go hands-on with it as but, I believe that it’s going to make a powerful case for getting the year-old Pixel 9a.
Again in August I wrote a bit concerning the then-new Pixel 10, suggesting that it made the older and ostensibly inferior Pixel 9a look like a good higher purchase. Now the Pixel 10a is sort of upon us, and its launch appears set to additional burnish the 9a’s fame.
I’ll reserve last judgement till I’ve spent some high quality time with Google’s new mid-ranger, however at this level I can’t for the lifetime of me see why you’d select to purchase one over the Pixel 9a.
Déjà vu yet again
From the early leaks to the ultimate spec record that’s presently sitting on my desktop, the Pixel 10a launch has been dogged by an awesome sense of familiarity.
Here’s a cellphone that appears nearly precisely just like the Pixel 9a earlier than it. Certain, it’s obtained a flatter digicam module (although the Pixel 9a’s was fairly minimal), a narrower bezel, and a few barely totally different color choices. It additionally has a fractionally smaller footprint, and it weighs 3g much less.
However that is, to all intents and functions, the Pixel 9a design reused. That’s wonderful. Smartphone makers do that on a regular basis, and it’s unreasonable to count on tens of millions of {dollars} of design R&D to be frittered away after a 12 months.
The factor is, that familiarity continues once you begin to study the Pixel 10a spec sheet in larger element. The digicam set-up is equivalent, for one factor, and the battery dimension can be the identical.
Most damningly, even the System on Chip – the mind of the gadget that runs all the things from video games to AI instruments – is the very same element as earlier than.
Sure, the exact same Tensor G4 that powered the Pixel 9a additionally powers the Pixel 10a. Earlier Pixel A-series units have at all times matched their non-A siblings on fundamental efficiency. That is the primary time such a sample has been disrupted.
Crime of omission
One specification that’s shared with the Pixel 9a deserves highlighting right here: the shortage of Qi2 wi-fi charging.
When the Pixel 10 sequence launched in the direction of the top of 2025, some folks had been mildly miffed on the relative lack of progress. The addition of magnetic charging – aka Qi2 – did a number of heavy lifting right here, and certainly got here to be seen because the signature function of the vary.
Now the newest member of that Pixel 10 household is right here, and it doesn’t have mentioned signature function. With no headline enchancment, it would make you query the purpose of the Pixel 10a’s existence.
So what’s really new?
Within the curiosity of equity, let’s run by the record of what’s really new with the Pixel 10a. Don’t fear, it gained’t take lengthy.
We’ve already talked about the flatter digicam module, the slimmer bezel, and the marginally smaller general dimensions.
Moreover these, there’s additionally a more durable Gorilla Glass 7i show (up from Gorilla Glass 3), barely quicker 30W wired charging (up from 23W), and a display screen that may get 11% brighter in peak HDR situations.
It’s additionally made with the best quantity of recycled materials of any A-series Pixel but. That’s good to know, though it gained’t have an effect on how you utilize the cellphone in any method.
Google mentions a curious quirk by which the Pixel 10a will get 20 hours extra battery life than the Pixel 9a in Excessive Battery Saver mode. Provided that the processor and battery are equivalent, this would appear purely to be a software program enchancment, which is irksome in a complete new method – or it is going to be, ought to Google select to not add it to the older cellphone by a firmware replace.
The unconvincing elephant within the room
The Google Pixel 10a is actually equivalent to the Pixel 9a, and it retails at precisely the identical launch value. Anybody who’s been maintaining a tally of the smartphone enterprise in current months could have an inkling as to the market forces at play right here.
Due to the continued AI growth, RAM element prices have gone by the roof. A number of stories from throughout the trade have revealed that smartphone costs are going to have to extend to cowl these prices.
Google clearly confronted a tough alternative right here – bump up the worth of its new entry-level smartphone, or make some {hardware} compromises. By basically opting to do nothing, nonetheless, I worry it’s fallen between two stools.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Tech Advisor will naturally be supplying its last verdict on the Pixel 10a quickly, however a easy piece of shopping for recommendation is staring us all uncomfortably within the face. Skilled journalists that we’re, we’re all attempting desperately to not make eye contact with it.
With no apparent purpose to go for the Pixel 10a over the Pixel 9a, it’s tempting to conclude that you simply’d be higher served looking for out present inventory of the latter cellphone from a good third occasion retailer. On the time of writing, Amazon and John Lewis are each promoting the Pixel 9a for round £346 model new – a wholesome 30% low cost on the Pixel 10a.
The Google Pixel 9a was among the finest mid-range smartphone buys of 2025. The best way issues are going, it would nicely retain its place for 2026.