For anybody on a good funds, the Google Pixel ‘a’ has at all times been an ideal purchase, providing the core Pixel expertise at a extra accessible worth.
Sadly, the Pixel 10a bucks that development. It appears to be like too acquainted, each on paper and in design. Too acquainted.
With the dearth of any significant upgrades, the Pixel 10a is a tough purchase, not only for current Pixel 9a customers however even for anybody else seeking to purchase a brand new mid-range cellphone.
This is why I am skipping the Pixel 10a.
The Google Pixel 10a would not want the Tensor G5 to be particular
I hope it opens up different prospects
The identical internals, once more
New mannequin, identical recycled {hardware}
The Pixel 10a arrives a full 10 months after the Pixel 9a. But, it packs nearly the identical internals as its predecessor.
On the very least, most firms refresh their mid-range telephones with a barely quicker chipset. Google hasn’t even finished that. The Pixel 10a continues to make use of the identical Tensor G4 chip as its predecessor.
This might need been acceptable if the Tensor G4 stood out for its efficiency or effectivity, however it falters in each areas.
If something, the Pixel 9a’s Tensor chip falters large time on each fronts, which makes the dearth of significant yearly enhancements with the Pixel 10a much more disappointing.
It isn’t nearly efficiency. The Tensor G4’s older Exynos modem is notorious for its excessive energy consumption, poor effectivity, and connectivity woes. Utilizing the identical modem for one more yr means the Pixel 10a is certain to run into the identical points.
Worse, Google has not upgraded the RAM or bumped the bottom storage. The cellphone nonetheless ships with solely 8GB RAM and 128GB entry-level storage. Given the main RAM and NAND provide crunch, that is nonetheless comprehensible.
Barely slimmer bezels aren’t sufficient
Thinner borders, usual look
The Pixel 9a’s 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED panel stood out, within the improper manner, for its chunky bezels. For a cellphone launching in 2025, such bezels felt misplaced.
Nearly a yr later, Google has made amends with the Pixel 10a, however its efforts don’t go far sufficient.
The latest mid-range Pixel sports activities barely thinner bezels. However in comparison with different mid-range Android telephones, they’re nonetheless too chunky.
This is able to have been acceptable if Google made notable upgrades to the Pixel 10a in different areas. Nonetheless, that is not the case, which additional makes the thick bezels stand out like an eyesore.
Stagnant cameras
Software program tweaks cannot cover stagnant sensors
The shortage of inside upgrades is one factor. What’s much more disappointing is that Google has not even refreshed the Pixel 10a’s digital camera {hardware}.
It carries over the identical setup because the Pixel 9a, comprising a 48MP f/1.7 main shooter, a 13MP ultrawide, and a 13MP f/2.2 selfie snapper.
This might need been simpler to just accept if the Pixel 9a stood out for its imaging efficiency. However that was not the case. And a yr later, the Pixel 10a’s mediocre cameras will sting much more, particularly when different mid-range telephones are elevating the bar for pictures.
No Pixelsnap
Lacking out on Google’s finest new ecosystem characteristic
With the Pixel 10 household final yr, Google absolutely embraced Qi2 and built-in magnets. It launched a bunch of Pixelsnap-compatible equipment, together with a wi-fi charger and a Ring Stand.
It is simply one of the vital sensible upgrades Google added to the Pixel lineup in recent times. Extra importantly, it opened the door to a bunch of magnetic equipment for the Pixels.
Sadly, the Pixel 10a misses out on all of it. With out built-in magnets or Qi2 help, it can’t reap the benefits of the rising Pixelsnap accent ecosystem.
Worth for cash
Or the dearth of it
Contemplating the Pixel 10a is sort of equivalent to the Pixel 9a, you’d anticipate Google to at the very least decrease the worth. In any case, why pay the identical quantity for what appears like the identical cellphone with a brand new title?
But, that is not the case, with the Pixel 10a carrying the identical beginning worth as its predecessor. Given the DRAM and NAND provide scarcity and growing part costs, this may have been no small feat in itself. However provided that Google had launched at the very least a couple of notable {hardware} upgrades.
Sarcastically, Apple could do a greater job than Google right here. The upcoming iPhone 17e is rumored to sport the identical A19 chip because the iPhone 17 and add MagSafe help. But, its beginning worth will supposedly stay the identical at $599.
If I’m available in the market for a $500 cellphone, I’ll spend an additional $100 and simply get the iPhone 17e. Its quicker internals will guarantee it ages extra gracefully than the Pixel. That added efficiency headroom would additionally be sure that heavy apps and video games run easily.
And in case you are on a good funds, you may get the Pixel 9a, which is actually the identical cellphone because the Pixel 10a, for less than $400 after reductions. That worth makes the Pixel 10a a fair harder promote.
The Pixel 10a feels pointless
The Pixel 10a will not be a nasty cellphone. It’s the solely Android cellphone within the $500 worth vary to supply a clear Android expertise with seven years of software program help.
The issue is that it makes no noticeable upgrades — {hardware} or software program — to justify its existence. Google would have been higher off skipping this refresh and easily decreasing the Pixel 9a’s worth to seize a bigger share of the mid-range market.