Following a delicate launch a couple of weeks in the past, the Google Pixel 10a has lastly been revealed.
It is honest to say this 12 months’s Pixel A will not be precisely a barnstormer, with Google eschewing most bodily upgrades in favor of leaning tougher into AI.
However even with that in thoughts, the Pixel 10a’s sturdy digital camera, flagship processor, and AI smarts make it top-of-the-line buys inside the midrange cellphone market.
It isn’t the solely choice inside the house although, as there may be loads of competitors for Google’s newest handset.
Listed below are 5 of the very best smartphones you can purchase as a substitute of the Google Pixel 10a.
Google is aware of precisely what it is doing with the Pixel 10a, and it isn’t for you
Retaining a value level is extra necessary
Google Pixel 9a
First on the checklist needs to be the Google Pixel 9a, the earlier incarnation of the Pixel A line.
If you happen to’re a cellphone fan, you may in all probability guess why it is right here — it is as a result of there actually aren’t many variations between Google’s 2026 cellphone and its 2025 cellphone.
The truth is, there are not any {hardware} variations between the Pixel 10a and 9a. From the processor nestled inside its aluminum body, to the quantity of RAM, to its storage choices, and even its dimension, the Pixel 10a and 9a are twins.
The large bodily distinction is the palette of colorways accessible at buy, and even then, the Pixel 10a is mainly a deeper shade of the identical colours.
The true variations are within the software program. The Pixel 9a had some huge restrictions positioned on it that made it much less succesful than the Pixel 9, and that applies to at the present time.
Whereas it is nonetheless a lot highly effective, the 9a’s Gemini Nano XXS mannequin lacks the always-on nature of the Pixel 9’s Gemini Nano XS, and it additionally does not have entry to Pixel Screenshots, Name Notes, and another options.
The Pixel 10a has fewer limits. Whereas it is protected to say it will not be as succesful because the Pixel 10, the improve in AI options is more likely to be important.
With that being the most important distinction between the 2 gadgets, it is sensible that solely these individuals actually excited in regards to the Pixel 10a’s AI options can buy the newer mannequin.
As a result of for those who’re not, the Pixel 9a provides the identical {hardware}, the identical seems, and the identical total software program as its newer cousin.
Nearly the one motive to purchase the Pixel 10a is that you just’re excited in regards to the newest AI options.
When the Pixel 9a is so much like the Pixel 10a, and can doubtless quickly be accessible for an excellent low cost, the selection appears clear to me: Try to be shopping for the Pixel 9a as a substitute of the Pixel 10a.
9/10
- SoC
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Google Tensor G4
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pOLED, 120Hz
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6.3 inches
OnePlus 15R
OnePlus is understood for one factor: being absolutely the king of specs. In order for you the very best numbers you may get, it is often a OnePlus cellphone you may discover them on.
Being a midrange cellphone, the OnePlus 15R is just a little bit completely different, nevertheless it’s nonetheless jam-packed with excessive specs worthy of a flagship smartphone.
It has the highly effective Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, 12GB of RAM, and both 256GB or 512GB of storage.
A 165Hz refresh fee makes the AMOLED show super-smooth, and the big 7,400mAh battery could be recharged in a snap because of an 80W charging fee.
These are specs that any flagship cellphone could be pleased with, and it places the OnePlus 15R head-and-shoulders above the Pixel 10a.
It has buckets of energy, and it will energy video games and intensive apps much better than Google’s midrange cellphone.
It loses out in sure areas. It lacks wi-fi charging, and OnePlus’ cameras have lengthy been inconsistent, so we would not anticipate it to beat the Pixel 10a in a shoot-out.
And it will not have the Pixel’s sturdy AI capabilities. OnePlus has some AI smarts, and Gemini might be accessible, because it’s a part of Android as a complete — however you will not get all of the stuff Pixel homeowners have come to anticipate.
There’s an AI Translate, AI Search, AI Recorder, and AI Author instruments, in addition to the Thoughts Area app that shops screenshots and different media, however there’s nothing on the extent of Magic Cue or something like that.
If you happen to do not care a lot about AI options exterior the fundamentals, that should not put you off. The OnePlus 15R provides a lot bang on your buck that you just doubtless will not care an excessive amount of anyway.
It is the cellphone to purchase as a substitute of the Pixel 10a in order for you a strong machine for a similar value.
- SoC
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Snapdragon 8 Gen 5
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AMOLED
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6.83-inches
- RAM
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12GB
Samsung Galaxy A56
The Galaxy A variety tends to play second fiddle to the S flagships, nevertheless it’s unfair to put in writing them off because of this.
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is a succesful smartphone in its personal proper, and whereas it isn’t as flashy as gadgets just like the Pixel 10a, it is nonetheless value contemplating.
Not like the OnePlus 15R above, the Galaxy A56 has extra commonplace midrange specs, together with the Exynos 1580 processor that is more likely to be barely weaker than the Pixel 10a’s Tensor G4.
Nonetheless, it has the identical quantity of storage because the Pixel 10a, and whereas the A56’s fundamental mannequin solely has 6GB of RAM, it has the choice to equal the Pixel with 8GB of RAM, or exceed it with 12GB.
When it comes to different areas, it is a bit of a toss-up.
The A56’s triple-lens major digital camera setup is more likely to be ok to rival the Pixel 10a, although it is all the time value ignoring any macro digital camera lens. They’re by no means notably good.
One of many main causes to decide on the Galaxy A56 over the Pixel 10a is since you want a Samsung cellphone.
Whether or not that is all the way down to familiarity or loving some a part of what the Korean firm delivers, it is honest to level out that you will get an analogous expertise from the A56.
Certain, the Pixel has a head up in relation to pure processing energy and AI tips, however Samsung isn’t any slouch in AI, and the Exynos processor will nonetheless present good day-to-day efficiency, and can deal with most 3D video games simply.
- SoC
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Exynos 1580
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AMOLED
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6.7-inches
- RAM
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8GB
Moto Razr+ (2024)
This may look like a bizarre inclusion on this checklist, as not solely is it a foldable, nevertheless it’s an costly one too.
However worry not, intrepid discount hunters, for the Moto Razr+ (2024) could be discovered for rock-bottom costs in 2026, making this top-of-the-line alternate options for the Pixel 10a.
First off, there’s the plain upside: It is a foldable cellphone, and that is simply objectively cooler than the Pixel 10a’s boring typical design. The clamshell fold has an actual retro stylish about it, and that performs strongly into the Razr+’s enchantment.
The fold is not only for seems both, because the Razr+ has a really succesful outer show that can be utilized to verify your cellphone as regular, and even runs apps as you’d anticipate.
Certain, the 4-inch sq. design is smaller than you are used to, nevertheless it’s nonetheless greater than usable.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip is a bit older, nevertheless it’s nonetheless very highly effective by most requirements, and will not have any issues maintaining.
The digital camera is not nearly as good as what Google can provide, nevertheless it’s nonetheless an excellent suite, with a stable major lens and an excellent telephoto lens.
Nonetheless, needless to say you may be lacking out on the variety of upgrades provided by a more recent cellphone just like the Pixel 10a.
Motorola solely provides three years of help in comparison with Google’s seven, and the Razr+ is already two upgrades in. It launched with Android 14, that means you solely actually have the improve to Android 17 to look ahead to.
But when that does not put you off, the prospect to seize a foldable cellphone for lower than the Pixel 10a is not an opportunity it is best to surrender simply.
The Moto Razr+ (2024) is a superb smartphone, and a tempting various to Google’s newest.
9/10
- SoC
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
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pOLED, 165Hz (inside); OLED, 165Hz (exterior)
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6.9″ (inside); 4″ (exterior)
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1080 x 2640 (inside); 1272 x 1080 (exterior)
Moto G Stylus 2025
Motorola’s midrange and price range credentials are often past query, nevertheless it’s had a couple of tough years just lately, with some telephones ending up disappointing.
Fortunately, final 12 months’s Moto G Stylus will not be a type of telephones, and it is the best choice for you if a stylus cellphone appeals.
It is honest to say the Moto G vary has usually been just a little bit underpowered, however Motorola pushed the envelope a bit for this iteration.
The succesful Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor sits on the coronary heart of the cellphone, and it additionally has 8GB of RAM, and not less than 128GB of storage.
A 6.7-inch AMOLED show has a 120Hz refresh fee, and a 5,000mAh battery is shortly recharged with speedy 68W wired charging, and 15W of quick wi-fi charging.
A 50MP major lens is backed up by an 8MP ultrawide lens, and whereas it isn’t the equal of the Pixel 10a, it is nonetheless ok for many conditions.
The stylus is the massive draw right here, and it is one thing the Pixel merely cannot match.
If that appeals to you, the Moto G Stylus is value conserving a watch out for.
Nonetheless, Motorola solely provides two main software program upgrades, which sadly solely takes you to Android 17.
However even with that in thoughts, the Moto G Stylus 2025 is an excellent various to the Pixel 10a.
8.5/10
- SoC
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Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
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120Hz pOLED
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6.7″