Google has recently unveiled its latest mid-range smartphone, the Pixel 10a. While I have not had the opportunity to personally test it yet, it appears that the Pixel 10a will present a compelling argument for choosing the previous year’s Pixel 9a.
In a previous article from August, I discussed how the introduction of the Pixel 10 made the older Pixel 9a appear even more attractive. Now, with the imminent release of the Pixel 10a, it seems that the reputation of the 9a will be further solidified.
Although I will reserve my final judgement until I have hands-on experience with Google’s new mid-range device, at this point, it is difficult to see why one would opt for the Pixel 10a over the Pixel 9a.
### DĂ©jĂ vu all over again
From the initial leaks to the final specifications that have been revealed, the launch of the Pixel 10a has been overshadowed by a sense of familiarity. The design of the Pixel 10a closely resembles that of its predecessor, the Pixel 9a. While there are some minor differences such as a flatter camera module, a narrower bezel, and updated color options, the overall design remains largely unchanged.
Furthermore, upon closer inspection of the Pixel 10a’s specifications, it becomes apparent that many features are identical to those of the Pixel 9a. The camera setup, battery size, and even the System on Chip (SoC) are all the same. This marks a departure from the usual pattern of A-series Pixel devices matching their non-A siblings in basic performance.
### Crime of omission
One notable omission shared between the Pixel 9a and the Pixel 10a is the lack of Qi wireless charging. The absence of this feature, which was a highlight of the Pixel 10 series, raises questions about the necessity of the Pixel 10a’s release without any significant improvements.
### So what’s actually new?
In the interest of fairness, let’s highlight the new features of the Pixel 10a. Apart from the updated design elements mentioned earlier, the Pixel 10a boasts a tougher Gorilla Glass 7i display, faster 30W wired charging, and a screen that can achieve 11% higher brightness in peak HDR scenarios. Additionally, the Pixel 10a is constructed with the highest volume of recycled material of any A-series Pixel.
Google also touts a software improvement that extends the Pixel 10a’s battery life by 20 hours in Extreme Battery Saver mode compared to the Pixel 9a. However, since the processor and battery are the same, this improvement appears to be solely software-based.
### The unconvincing elephant in the room
The Pixel 10a is virtually identical to the Pixel 9a and is priced the same at launch. Given the current market trends and rising costs of components like RAM, Google faced a dilemma regarding whether to increase the price of its entry-level smartphone or make compromises in hardware. By choosing to maintain the status quo, the Pixel 10a may struggle to find its place in the competitive smartphone market.
In conclusion, with little differentiation between the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 9a, it may be more advantageous to consider purchasing the latter at a discounted price from reputable retailers like Amazon or John Lewis. The Pixel 9a was highly regarded as one of the best mid-range smartphones of 2025, and it appears that it may continue to hold its position in 2026.
