Google Pixel 10a: Everything we know so far

Google's next generation of the Pixel A-series, the affordable option for the series, could be released this year. But what does Google have planned for the new phone, and how will it differ from the Pixel 10 series?

When it comes to the Pixel 10a, there are a few things that we’re looking for. Ideally, we want a phone that offers improved power, which will be dependent on whether it comes with the Tensor G4 chip or the newer Tensor G5. We also want to see improved battery performance and decent cameras. However, the real teller will be the price of the phone, with A-series devices usually costing at least a little less than the mainline Pixel series.

As with any new phone, it can be easy to get confused by all the leaks and rumors out there. As such, we here at Tom's Guide have gathered everything that we've heard about the new phone here to help you.

Google Pixel 10a: Rumored specs

Google Pixel 10a: Expected price and release date

In the past, Google announced its new devices at its yearly Google I/O event, which usually happens in May. However, Google broke that trend with the Pixel 9a, and some rumors seem to agree that the same could happen with the sequel.

According to reputable leaker billbil-kun, Google will launch pre-orders for the Pixel 10a on February 18, releasing the phone two weeks later on March 5, 2026. This early March release was seemingly backed up by well-known leaker Evan Blass, so it appears that we won’t have long to wait before we see the new phone.

The big question when it comes to the Pixel 10a will be the price. The Pixel 9a cost $499, the same price as the Pixel 8a. While we haven’t seen many rumors about the price, one potential leak from the French publication Dealabs indicates that Google will keep the same price for the Pixel 10a in the European market, meaning the 128GB model could cost €549, while the 256GB version will land at €649.

Hopefully, the same will be true in the American market, especially with fears of rising prices due to the current RAM shortages.

Google Pixel 10a: What we know

For the most part, there aren’t all that many reputable leaks and rumors around the Google Pixel 10, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t heard anything yet.

For instance, we have seen CAD renders of the Google Pixel 10a that look very similar to the Google Pixel 9a. This includes the same flat design and camera block, which appears to feature the same two camera lenses. As such, it doesn’t appear that the new phone will follow the Pixel 10’s example and add a telephoto sensor to the device. However, there is one noticeable difference in the renders, namely, the bezel looks thinner than on the Pixel 9a.

On X, the ever-reliable Evan Blass posted certification of the Pixel 10a for the Verizon network. The screenshot suggests the 10a will have a 6.285-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, a 48MP rear camera with an f/1.7 aperture, an ultrawide 13MP lens with an f/2.2 aperture, 128GB of internal storage, 8GB RAM and a 5,100mAh battery. Every one of these specs is also present on the Pixel 9a.

In terms of internal hardware, it doesn't look like much will change. According to rumors, the Pixel 10a will come with the same UFS 3.1 storage as the Pixel 9. Unfortunately, this is markedly slower than the UFS 4.0 NAND seen in the Pixel 10 Pro models. Not only that, but the phone is also expected to feature the Tensor G4 instead of the Tensor G5, meaning we’re not likely to see any major performance improvements.

The same leak also appears to confirm that the Pixel 10a will not feature a telephoto camera, though perhaps it's not surprising that Google would not extend that feature to the midrange Pixel 10a. Another potential casualty is that the phone won’t feature the genius AI feature Magic Cue that uses on-device AI to "understand" you via contextual information from your apps and services like a proactive sidekick.

Pixel 10a: What we want to see

So far, the rumors don’t paint the most promising picture when it comes to the Google Pixel 10a. At a glance, it appears that the phone will essentially be a rebranded Pixel 9a with little to no difference between the models.

The value of the phone, at this point, is going to be the price, and that’s even more complicated with the current market. Right now, the RAM and DRAM crisis has created a massive issue when it comes to gauging price increases. We would hope that the rumors around Google keeping the price the same turn out to be true at least.

In terms of hardware, there certainly isn’t much that looks impressive; there are some areas that Google could improve on. For instance, a larger battery would go a long way in helping the Pixel 10a stand out, especially if it has the same Tensor G4 chip. The Pixel 9a featured a 5,100 mAh battery, which offered a battery life of around 13 hours. Ideally, Google will find a way to build on that, even if it does feature the same cell.

The best thing that Google can do to help the phone stand out is to focus on the Pixel series strengths, namely AI. If the Pixel 10a can offer a unique and powerful AI experience at a lower price, then it could help it to stand out from the competition and find a place as one of the best affordable phones.

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