At a glance
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Great software with long support
- Excellent screen
- Attractive, camera bump-free design
- Good cameras
Cons
- Incremental to say the least
- Misses out on Qi2 magnetic charging
- Old processor
Our Verdict
While the Pixel 10a is a perfectly good mid-range phone, if we remove the blinkers, then the distinct lack of upgrades over its predecessor means you will get a much better value handset by opting for the 9a. There are also strong rivals if you’re not set on a Pixel.
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Google’s A-series phones are popular, offering much of what you get in the flagship models only in a cheaper package. The Pixel 10a is here as the 2026 model, but I have to say, it’s an odd one.
As leaks ahead of its launch suggested, the 10a is rather similar to its predecessor. In fact, you could think of it as the Pixel 9.5a. It’s particularly curious because the Pixel 10 range added some significant upgrades, including built-in wireless charging magnets.
However, the Pixel 10a is very light on new and exciting features. If it wasn’t for the new colours, you would have thought I’d just taken photos of the Pixel 9a.
So, are there any good reasons to buy the Pixel 10a? I’ve been using it for the last month to find out.
Design & Build
- Almost identical to the 9a
- No camera bump whatsoever and upgraded glass
- Three new colourways
I won’t keep you long here because, as alluded to, the Pixel 10a is essentially the Pixel 9a with a splash of new colour.
Ok, it’s a little more than that, but not much. Primarily, Google has removed the already small camera bump, so the phone is completely flat on the back.
It’s nice (and rare) to be able to put a phone on a desk or kitchen counter without any wobble. However, you’re likely to put a case on it which would achieve the same effect anyway.
Chris Martin / Foundy
The phone also gets upgraded to Gorilla Glass 7i on the front for improved durability, particularly when it comes to drops. It’s still IP68 rated and it held up well in my testing time, but I unusually haven’t dropped it.
New colours – something Google is very good at – are probably the main design change here with Berry, Lavender and Fog all brand-new alongside the classic Obsidian (black).
I’ve got the Fog option, which is a very pale green but in many lighting conditions can look like white with a blue tint. I like it, but it’s nice that Google offers the bolder options for those who are more daring than me.
While the difference to the Pixel 9a is minimal, it’s a bigger change for anyone coming from the 8a or earlier (which is far more likely anyway). These days, the Pixel has iPhone-esque flat sides and generally much less of that classic pebble-like rounded shape. Plus, the camera bar is gone, of course.
Chris Martin / Foundy
It makes for a stylish and compact mid-range phone. I certainly prefer it to rivals from the likes of Samsung and Poco. If you want something more interesting, check out the Nothing Phone (4a).
Screen & Speakers
- Compact display with a smaller bezel
- Slightly brighter at absolute peak level
- Stereo speakers
Once again, the Pixel 10a is almost identical to its predecessor in this area. The screen remains at 6.3-inch, uses an OLED panel and offers a 120Hz refresh rate.
Google has made two small improvements; firstly, a slightly smaller and more uniform bezel (though it’s still thicker than many rivals) and a bump in brightness to a peak of 3000 nits.
That’s 300 more than the Pixel 9a but in general use you won’t notice a difference. I recorded it at 939 nits on maximum with adaptive brightness switched off, which is essentially the same as the 9a.
Chris Martin / Foundy
Still, it’s a solid mid-range screen, giving you a good balance of size and performance.
As well as getting suitably bright as we head into the sunny months of the year, contrast, colours and clarity are all top-notch. And there’s a decent optical fingerprint scanner under the display, which isn’t too close to the bottom edge.
Stereo speakers (the earpiece and one of the slots next to the USB-C port) sound decent enough. There’s good range and clarity when you keep the volume middling, though there is a slight lack of depth.
The main problem is the harshness provoked when you reach higher volume levels.
Specs & Performance
- Stuck on Tensor G4
- 128/256GB storage
- Some wireless upgrades
The Pixel A-series usually gets an upgraded processor every year, but not for the 10a, which still has the Tensor G4 from the 9a. It’s also got the same memory and storage, so you get 8GB of RAM and can choose 128- or 256GB of storage.
It’s a shame that it doesn’t get the current-gen Tensor G5 from the flagship Pixel 10 phones, but there is good news…
Primarily, it means Google has kept the price of the phone the same as last year. In 2026, this is a rarity with the spiking costs of components. The other good news is that performance is perfectly serviceable.
