Next value king?
The Google Pixel 10a shouldn’t be too different than the 9a, but we might get improvements to the display, charging tech, and SoC. If Google can keep the price the same under $500, this would give the 10a a big price advantage over the FE.
Pros
- Should get seven generations of OS and security updates
- Rumored to get a “boosted” Tensor G4 chip
- New colors possibly
- Same pricing (most likely)
- Multiple sizes maybe
- Compact size compared to the S25 FE
Cons
- Not expected to be a huge upgrade
- No telephoto camera
- Weaker display scratch protection
- Slower charging
Feature packed
The Galaxy S25 FE costs more than the Pixel, but you’re also getting a lot more. A larger display with better toughness, a telephoto camera, a more powerful SoC, quicker charging, and the same seven years of OS upgrades as the 10a.
Pros
- Slim and light design
- IP68 rating
- Gorilla Glass Victus+ over the display
- Seven generations of OS upgrades
- Telephoto camera
- Powerful SoC
- Big battery with 45W charging
Cons
- Larger footprint than the 10a
- Display brightness could be higher
Let’s explore the features of both phones based on what we expect for the Pixel 10a, and see if it makes sense to wait till March.
Google Pixel 10a vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 FE: Design and display
Based on everything we know about the Google Pixel 10a till now, it should feature the same design as the Pixel 9a. We can expect new colors, though, some that will define the 10a from the previous ones. More than the design, the dimensions and weight should be similar too. This means a thickness of about 9mm and a weight of just under 190 grams. I suspect the IP68 rating should transfer as well to the new model.
What I’m eager to see is if Google decides to equip the 10a with Pixelsnap tech. This was introduced with the Pixel 10 series, which enabled magnetic attachment of accessories like stands and wireless chargers.
On the display front, Google has so far done incremental upgrades, and we really hope this time, the Pixel 10a gets LTPO tech with a high PWM dimming rate. Scratch protection is yet another area where this series lags behind competing phones, as the 9a is still using Gorilla Glass 3. Bumping up these specs alone would give the Pixel 10a a better fighting chance against the Galaxy S25 FE.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE lacks any flashy shades, but you do get a choice of four colors. It’s a very well-built phone with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back, along with the aluminum frame. This model does away with the glossy finish on the back panel in favor of a matte finish. This helps keep fingerprints at bay and gives the phone a clean look if you’re not using a case.
It only measures 7.4mm in thickness, which should be slimmer than the Pixel 10a. The weight, though, is roughly the same at 190 grams. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is also IP68 rated to survive dust and water ingress.
The Galaxy S25 FE is a much larger phone than the Pixel 10a, as it features a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel with a higher PWM-dimming rate. Scratch protection is also stronger, which makes it more resilient to drops. The bezels around the display are also quite narrow, which doesn’t give it that cheap look.
Google Pixel 10a vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 FE: Hardware and specs
The Google Pixel 10a should ideally feature the Tensor G5 SoC that powers the Pixel 10 series. According to one leak, though, this could be the first time Google might use a “boosted” version of the older Tensor G4 from the 9a instead. It’s hard to tell what this actually means at the moment, so we’ll have to wait and see what it can and can’t do once it launches.
Even with the sky-high prices of RAM these days, we’re expecting the Pixel 10a to cost the same $499 as the 9a. This would be for the 128GB variant, while the 256GB variant should ideally be $100 more. There really isn’t much more we can say in terms of performance right now, but expect the 10a to do really well at AI tasks and less in heavy gaming.
|
Category |
Google Pixel 10a (rumored) |
Samsung Galaxy S25 FE |
|---|---|---|
|
Operating System |
Android 16, seven years of OS upgrades |
Android 15, seven years of OS upgrades |
|
Display |
6.3-inch Actua pOLED display, 1080 x 2424 resolution, 120Hz LTPO, 2700 nits peak brightness, Gorilla Glass 7i |
6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, 1080 x 2340 resolution, 120Hz, 1900 nits peak brightness, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
|
Processor |
Updated Google Tensor G4 |
Exynos 2400e |
|
RAM |
8GB |
8GB |
|
Storage |
128GB, 256GB |
128GB, 256GB |
|
Rear cameras |
48MP wide camera, 13MP ultrawide camera |
50MP wide camera, 12MP ultrawide camera, 8MP telephoto |
|
Front camera |
13MP |
12MP |
|
Battery |
5,100mAh |
4,900mAh |
|
Charging |
30W wired, 7.5W wireless |
45W wired, 15W wireless |
|
Durability |
Aluminum frame, plastic back |
Aluminum frame, glass back |
|
IP rating |
IP68 |
IP68 |
|
Weight |
Unknown |
190g |
|
Dimensions |
Uknown |
161.3 x 76.6 x 7.4 mm |
|
Colors |
Obsidian, Porcelain (+ two new shades) |
Icyblue, Jetblack, Navy, White |
We’re expecting the Pixel 10a to have the same (or slightly larger) 5,100mAh capacity as the 9a. This is still plenty good for a phone at this price, and it’s more than what you get with the FE. I hope Google bumps up the charging speed on the 10a from 23W to something like 30W or higher. Wireless charging should be present, and once again, I hope it’s higher than just 7.5W.
I’d love for the Pixel 10a to get a third telephoto camera, but that’s probably wishful thinking. The Galaxy S25 FE does have one in comparison, which is what gives it an edge in photography. The cameras on the Pixel 9a were good, but a higher-resolution ultrawide would be nice to have on the Pixel 10a.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE launched in September 2025, and the launch prices are still holding strong. Outside of seasonal sales, the Galaxy S25 FE still retails for $649.99 and $709.99, for the 128GB and 256GB variants, respectively. This should make it more expensive than the Pixel 10a, provided Google keeps the pricing the same.
It has a smaller battery than the Pixel 10a would end up having. It’s a 4,900mAh capacity that can be charged at a much faster speed of 45W. You even get 15W wireless charging and Qi2 compatibility with the right case.
The Galaxy S25 FE has a decent set of cameras, including a telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. There’s a main 50MP sensor and 12MP ultrawide on the back, and a 12MP selfie camera on the front. The S25 FE is also capable of 8K video recording, something that the 10a probably won’t have. We’ve not tested the cameras of the S25 FE, but going by the previous model, they should be more than adequate for casual use.
Google Pixel 10a vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 FE: Software
Both phones will run the latest version of Android and have a seven-year commitment for OS upgrades and security updates. The Pixel 10a stands to get an extra year of support since it will launch in 2026, but the Galaxy S25 FE should not trail behind by much.
AI features are going to be some of the main differentiators here as the Galaxy S25 FE gets Galaxy AI, and the Pixel 10a will get some exclusive features from Google. There will be some overlap, though, as Google’s Circle to Search, Gemini, and more are available on the Samsung as well.
While both phones offer robust software, the Pixel 10a will be getting day-one updates from Google when a new version of Android is out. The Galaxy S25 FE might face some delays in getting these updates, depending on Samsung’s release window.
Google Pixel 10a vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 FE: Should you wait?
It’s hard to give a definitive answer as to which phone is better at the moment since the Pixel 10a hasn’t launched yet. But given that all the rumors point to the 10a being a “safe” upgrade, it doesn’t seem like it will outshine the Galaxy S25 FE. If you care about gaming performance, a large display, premium design, and in-hand feel, and want good zoom photos, the Galaxy S25 FE is the one to buy. It’s one of the best Samsung phones currently, and the software keeps getting better with time. The fact that there are seven years of support for this phone makes it worth the slight premium it holds over the Pixel 10a.
Depending on what upgrades the Pixel 10a comes with and how much Google prices it at, it might make sense to even skip it and pick the Pixel 9a instead. The latter is already selling for $100 off, so if the changes are not that meaningful, it might not make sense to buy the 10a at full price. If you’re not in a hurry, it’s always advisable to wait a bit more for the 10a to launch before making a decision. But if you can’t, you can safely get the Galaxy S25 FE now without any buyer’s remorse come March.
Might not be a big deal
The Google Pixel 10a is not too far off but all the leaks point to it being a safe upgrade, which means probably won’t win compared to the S25 FE.
Grab it if you must
If you can’t wait till March, you can safely buy the Galaxy S25 FE today knowing that you’re getting great hardware and many years of software support.
