Google has launched a less expensive mid-range A-series Pixel smartphone yearly since 2019’s Pixel 3a, however the brand new Pixel 10a is troublesome to wholeheartedly suggest, though it is an excellent telephone. That’s not usually the case.
Since 2022’s Pixel 6a, the ‘A’ Pixel has come roughly six months after the flagship Pixels it shares its quantity with and has run the identical processor as these telephones. It has meant you can save a whole lot and nonetheless get nice Android efficiency, simply in a much less premium feeling handset.
Sadly, the Pixel 10a doesn’t run the Tensor G5 discovered within the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Professional telephones. As a substitute it sticks with the Tensor G4 that’s within the Pixel 9 collection and – crucially – 2025’s Pixel 9a, too. Add to that the very fact Google didn’t change the design from the 9a to the 10a, and what we’re left with is a brand new telephone that’s laborious to suggest.
That’s as a result of with virtually the identical design and specs, the Pixel 9a on sale (because it normally is) is a extra wise buy than the brand new 10a at £499.
The one upgrades the Pixel 10a will get is Gorilla Glass 7i (from Gorilla Glass 3), 3,000 nits peak display screen brightness (from 2,700), 30W wired charging (from 27W), 10W wi-fi charging (from 7,5W) and Bluetooth 6 (from 5.3).
The Tensor G4 processor, 8GB RAM 128GB base storage, twin 48MP and 13MP cameras, 6.3-inch display screen dimension – all the identical as final yr. Even the brand new colors are virtually the identical, solely barely totally different shades.
I’ve been utilizing the Pixel 10a for a few weeks to see the way it fares. It’s true that it is a wonderful telephone – in spite of everything, I named the Pixel 9a as my favorite telephone of 2025. And it’s additionally true that typically telephone reviewers like me can’t see {that a} new system is nice just because we’ve used the earlier yr’s. Hardly anybody today buys a telephone yearly, so I respect the Pixel 10a goes to be significantly better than your inexpensive telephone was whenever you obtained it 4 years in the past.
However on this case, if you’re trying to spend lower than £500 on an Android telephone that may final you the following 4 years, I can’t suggest the Pixel 10a over the Pixel 9a. On the time of writing, the 9a is offered for £399, and I’ve seen it earlier than for £349. That makes the £499 Pixel 10a dangerous worth.
None of that is to say the Pixel 10a is a nasty telephone, removed from it. In reality, it is a wonderful telephone. I’ve been testing the Fog color model, which is white with the tiniest trace of inexperienced and have been having fun with its comparatively gentle (183g) and compact dimension in comparison with the Pixel 10 XL or most different big telephones available on the market.
Most spectacular is the truth that that is the primary telephone in years to have a totally flush again glass, together with the cameras. No digital camera bump! The Pixel 9a had a tiny lip to guard them, now they’re recessed within the glass. It’s nice.
The cameras are additionally nice. The 48MP predominant sensor paired with Google’s excessive distinction picture processing means this can be a prime point-and-shoot digital camera, with outcomes typically higher than on telephones twice the worth. I most well-liked many of the pictures I took with the £499 Pixel 10 in contrast with the £879 Samsung Galaxy S26 I’m additionally testing in the mean time.
You’ll be able to click on these hyperlinks to view a few of my Pixel 10a picture samples in full decision.
Pictures have good, sharp focus and color, although you solely get an ultra-wide for again up, with no telephoto lens right here. Zoom is OK as much as 2x or so, however even with Google’s software program smarts, I wouldn’t need to depend on zoom past that.
A lot of what makes this telephone nice to make use of is the software program. Google’s model of Android 16 is quick and effectively designed, with good ranges of color customisation. If something, I favor the A-series Pixels as a result of they don’t shove as a lot AI and Google Gemini nonsense in your face. That’s partly as a result of they’re much less highly effective than the pricier Pixels so don’t have all of the options. So, if you’d like the assured seven years of software program updates that Pixels provide and aren’t fussed about AI, the Pixel 10a might be the way in which to go.
If solely the Pixel 9a didn’t nonetheless exist. For those who’re studying this in March 2026, it must be simple to discover a 9a from a UK retailer for beneath £400. You’ll get software program updates till 2032 and principally the identical expertise because the pricier 10a.
For those who’re studying this later in 2026, the Pixel 10a might effectively be on sale, during which case go for it. It’s simply odd that Google selected to not improve its finest worth Pixel with the most recent processor, routinely hobbling it at launch when its personal older product is true there for a less expensive value.
