I’d like to say I’m shocked that the Google Pixel 10a appears to be a carbon copy of last year’s Pixel 9a, but I’m not.
Rising prices most likely forced the company’s hand, and I prefer that Google opt for last year’s chipset and specs rather than release a more expensive phone.
Still, it’s less of a problem than people will make it out to be. I’m sure Google will highlight software improvements and the rumored faster charging speeds, but the phone’s core remains unchanged.
As Don Draper taught us, the word “new” is a salve that cures an itch.
And if you’re someone fretting over the Pixel 10a’s lackluster spec sheet, you’re not the buyer Google is trying to reach with its latest midrange device.
Price is the most important spec
Google couldn’t go above $500
Maintaining a $500 price point was significantly more important for Google on the Pixel 10a than fitting it with a Tensor G5 chipset.
I loved that the Pixel A-series typically included the latest flagship-tier powerplant from the company, but I could see how unsustainable that was.
Google isn’t immune to rising costs and needs to take whatever measures it can to keep prices the same without affecting performance.
The Tensor G4 is quite capable in 2026, and it’ll do the job.
Not giving the Pixel 10a a major overhaul solves a problem in Google’s lineup.
The company has struggled to differentiate its base Pixel flagship from its A-series phone for years. That shouldn’t be a problem in 2026.
With its G5 chipset and telephoto lens, the Pixel 10 is different enough from the rumored Pixel 10a to justify its higher price. It also features more RAM, so I expect it to get new Gemini features for longer.
It’s house cleaning Google had to do, and the Pixel 10a makes the picture clearer.
The Pixel 10a customer profile isn’t you or me
It’s important to keep perspective with midrange phones
As my colleague Andy Boxhall so rightly pointed out, the Pixel 9a was an easy recommendation for so many people.
It’s a well-supported device with an excellent camera for a midrange phone and a pleasing (if not quirky) design.
It’s the ideal phone for someone walking into their carrier store and making monthly payments.
Google will target the Pixel 10a towards users who would think Android Police is a cybernetic law enforcement agency.
And the company knows it won’t have to worry about buyers complaining that it has last year’s Tensor G4 chipset because they didn’t care what it had last year either.
It’s a buyer who won’t care that the display looks like it’s bordered with electrical tape, because bezels have never bothered them.
Lack of consumer scrutiny towards a phone doesn’t give Google a license to rip people off, but that’s not what it’s doing with the Pixel 10a.
Don’t underestimate a product being new, either.
I’ve seen arguments that Google simply could’ve repackaged the Pixel 9a or cut the price, but that isn’t going to get people excited.
Buyers want to walk into their carrier store and see that they are buying a brand-new phone, regardless of how new it actually is under the hood.
Keeping a palatable price point takes precedence over everything else, and Google understands that.
Running back the Pixel 9a isn’t a disaster
It’s fair to outline what people are still buying
It’s important to note that the Pixel 9a was pound-for-pound one of the best value phones you could buy last year.
And with a few tweaks, the Pixel 10a should boast the same, even with a similar spec sheet.
Its Tensor G4 chipset is snappy for daily tasks, and I don’t have issues with gaming on medium settings.
A new Pixel 10a resets the support cycle, so you’ll get a full seven years of Android upgrades.
Material 3 Expressive is fantastic, and if you’re looking for your first Android experience, it’s the software I’d recommend — especially at this price point.
I love that Google kept the back flat without a huge camera hump.
More manufacturers need to realize it doesn’t make their phones look cool or impressive. It’s just inconvenient when the camera sensors don’t require the additional space.
I also expect the battery life to be impressive again, and if rumors are accurate and Google has improved charging speeds, that would be a welcome quality-of-life upgrade.
And let’s not forget the cameras, which I expect to top midrange devices again this year.
Just because a phone isn’t for you doesn’t mean it’s not for anybody
The Pixel 10a won’t be perfect, and as an enthusiast, I’m disappointed to see a device remain stagnant year over year.
However, that’s not what Google is concerned with, and most Pixel 10a buyers won’t be either.
The phone should still provide excellent value for $500, and it’ll remain an easy recommendation for most buyers who want a capable phone that doesn’t break the bank.
