I’ll be the first to admit the Google Pixel 10a isn’t exciting. It’s not a phone you wait in line all night for, and its spec sheet doesn’t inspire the kind of passion that makes you run out and upgrade.
Google’s been panned for the lack of Pixel 10a improvements, and it’s labeled as a phone that people should skip — that’s wrong.
Most critics are missing the point of the Pixel 10a. It’s a phone designed for carrier deals and as an entry point for new Android users who don’t want to break the bank.
A well-rounded sub-$500 device matters much more than impressive yearly enhancements, and the Pixel 10a is a phone that deserves to be in your pocket.
The Pixel 10a isn’t completely devoid of upgrades
Quality of life improvements exist
I understand most of the key Pixel 10a specs are nearly identical to the Pixel 9a, but it’s unfair to say that Google made no changes to the phone.
The primary upgrade for many is the modem. Even though the Pixel 10a uses an older Tensor G4 chipset, it still has an Exynos 5400 modem. I’ve seen it reported elsewhere that Google stuck with the Exynos 5300 for the Pixel 10a, but that’s inaccurate.
You’re going to see this more as we get deeper into 2026, but companies will have to decide how best to balance rising component prices.
I didn’t have an issue with the modem in the Pixel 9a, but some users reported poor performance. The Exynos 5400 performs well in testing and supports Satellite SOS, allowing you to contact emergency services when there’s no signal.
If you experienced poor reception or excessive battery drain with the older modem, the 5400 is a significant improvement for the Pixel 10a.
The Pixel 10a is also a touch lighter, which I noticed when holding the Pixel 9a and 10a side by side. Google upgraded the glass protection to Gorilla Glass 7i, making the Pixel 10a more durable than before.
The Pixel 10a also got a (slight) charging-speed upgrade, with full 30W wired charging and faster wireless charging. It’s not the Pixelsnap experience we get on the more expensive flagships, but it’s something.
Google understands price is the objective
Over $500 would’ve been a non-starter
You’re going to see this more as we get deeper into 2026, but companies will have to decide how best to balance rising component prices.
Google appears to be first through the wall with the Pixel 10a, and the company made the right decision. Sure, I would’ve loved a Tensor G5 chipset and more RAM or high base storage, but at what cost?
A $600 or $650 Pixel 10a would’ve been a non-starter, as you’d never be able to convince buyers of the value.
At $500, there’s at least a case to be made, even if it comes in with a similar spec sheet to the Pixel 9a.
The customer Google targets with the Pixel 10a isn’t concerned about a Tensor G4 or G5. They didn’t know what was in last year’s phone anyway, and more importantly, they didn’t care. They wanted a Pixel phone at a certain price point, and Google’s delivering it again with the Pixel 10a.
It’ll make for a wonderful phone on carrier discount deals, and I’m hoping the slightly older components allow Google to hold aggressive sales throughout the year.
Whether enthusiasts like it or not, the Pixel 10a still makes a great entry point for many Android users.
It’s not like the Pixel 9a is a slouch in 2026
The Pixel 10a should offer excellent performance
It’s important to keep in perspective what you get with the Pixel 10a, even if most of it is identical to the Pixel 9a.
Material 3 Expressive is excellent software, and Android 16 is running well on my Pixel 9a, and I expect more of the same on the Pixel 10a. You get all the Pixel Feature drops and seven years of software support and upgrades.
The Pixel 9a camera is fantastic for a midrange phone, and the Pixel 10a adds in some computational magic that the 9a doesn’t have (yet). If you take a lot of low-light photos, the Pixel 10a remains the best choice under $500, and shutterbugs will be pleased.
I also expect solid battery performance from the Pixel 10a, as I routinely got a full day from my Pixel 8a and 9a.
Sure, I would prefer a Tensor G5, but some make it sound like the Tensor G4 is a potato. Android runs smoothly on my Pixel 9a, and I can play top games at medium settings.
It’ll do the job for more users than enthusiasts would like to admit, and the Tensor G4 doesn’t have many of the problems that plagued earlier Tensors.
It’s not exciting, but it doesn’t have to be
Despite a lack of major upgrades, the Pixel 10a is going to be the best choice for many buyers again this year, and that’s an uncomfortable truth.
It’s a phone I can easily recommend to someone looking to switch from iOS, and it’s a fantastic way to get a Pixel without spending a significant amount of money.
The Pixel 10a may be boring, but that’s exactly what Google needed.
- SoC
-
Google Tensor G4
- RAM
-
8GB
- Storage
-
128 or 256GB
- Dimensions
-
6.1 in (height) x 2.9 in (width) x 0.4 in (depth)
- Display type
-
Actua display
- Weight
-
6.5 oz
The Google Pixel 10a features a Tensor G4 chipset and 8GB of RAM. It has a 6.3-inch Actua display, with either 128GB or 256GB of storage. It comes in four colors. New for 2026 is Gorilla Glass 7i, an upgraded Exynos 5400 modem, and slight faster charging speeds over the outgoing Pixel 9a.
