Google’s Pixel 10a is coming out on March 5, and you can already pre-order it. Rather than shaking things up, Google is sticking with what worked before. It looks a lot like the Pixel 9a, uses the same Tensor G4 chip, and still costs $499.
The most noticeable update appears on the back of the device. The camera module, further flattened compared to the already subtle bump on the 9a, now sits flush with the rear panel. While the overall design remains largely unchanged, the refinement gives the 10a a smoother, more integrated feel in hand.
A new sheet of Gorilla Glass 7i protects the display, replacing the dated Gorilla Glass 3, an upgrade that improves scratch and impact resistance.
The 6.1-inch OLED display retains its previous resolution and refresh rate, but peak brightness has been raised from 2,700 to 3,000 nits, bringing it in line with the flagship Pixel 10. While the increase may appear modest on paper, it should improve visibility in bright outdoor conditions and narrow the gap with higher-end devices.
Internally, Google’s choice to retain the Tensor G4 reflects strategy rather than a lack of progress. Introduced in 2025, the chip combines dedicated machine learning cores for image processing, contextual tasks, and on-device AI features. The company passed on the newer Tensor G5, pointing to the need to balance performance with affordability.
That might disappoint people who care mostly about benchmark scores, but Google’s software still holds up. Its computational photography and live translation features stay sharp since the AI is built specifically to run on Google’s own chips.
Charging is one area where the new model gets an improvement. The Pixel 10a supports 30W wired charging via USB-C 3.2, up from 23W on the 9a, while wireless charging speeds increase from 7.5W to 10W. Google has also kept the physical SIM slot, despite removing it from the flagship Pixel 10 lineup.
Sustainability plays a larger role in this year’s design. The aluminum frame is made entirely from recycled material, while 81 percent of the plastic back uses reclaimed content. Internally, recycled metals such as gold, tungsten, cobalt, and copper contribute to roughly 36 percent of the phone’s total weight.
Look past the benchmarks, the 10a is less about speed and more about timing. By slowing the A-series refresh cycle, Google gives the flagship Pixel 10 room to shine without internal competition.
Previous instances where midrange models compared too favorably against flagship devices seem to have influenced Google’s restraint. Continued shortages in memory and storage components have reinforced that stance. Keeping last year’s processor may also shield the company from increasing semiconductor costs as AI-driven demand strains global supply chains.
The Pixel 10a uses the same camera hardware as the 9a, likely because it already performed well within its category. Google continues to rely on its multi-frame capture system, blending images with AI and adjusting lighting to deliver photos that approach high-end quality at a more affordable price.
Here is a brief comparison of the specifications between the Google Pixel 10a and Google Pixel 9a that we obtained from Arstechnica.
| Phone | Pixel 9a | Pixel 10a |
|---|---|---|
| SoC | Google Tensor G4 | Google Tensor G4 |
| Memory | 8GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB |
| Display | 1080×2424 6.3″ pOLED, 60–120 Hz, Gorilla Glass 3, 2700 nits (peak) | 1080×2424 6.3″ pOLED, 60–120 Hz, Gorilla Glass 7i, 3000 nits (peak) |
| Cameras | 48 MP primary, f/1.7, OIS; 13 MP ultrawide, f/2.2; 13 MP selfie, f/2.2 | 48 MP primary, f/1.7, OIS; 13 MP ultrawide, f/2.2; 13 MP selfie, f/2.2 |
| Software | Android 15 (at launch), 7 years of OS updates | Android 16, 7 years of OS updates |
| Battery | 5,100 mAh, 23 W wired charging, 7.5 W wireless charging | 5,100 mAh, 30 W wired charging, 10 W wireless charging |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6e, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, sub-6 GHz 5G, USB-C 3.2 | Wi-Fi 6e, NFC, Bluetooth 6.0, sub-6 GHz 5G, USB-C 3.2 |
| Measurements | 154.7×73.3×8.9 mm; 185 g | 153.9×73×9 mm; 183 g |
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