Google Pixel 10a hands-on review: a phoned-in upgrade over the Pixel 9a

Everyone knows how much I love budget phones, including the Pixel 9a that tops our list of the best cheap phones. For a fraction of the price you’d pay for a flagship, you’re getting an incredible phone packed with helpful AI features, a flush camera design, and updates that’ll keep adding new features for years to come.

With the arrival of the Pixel 10a, however, I’m inclined to say it’s shaping up to be one of the all-time laziest upgrades ever — which does call its validity into question. That’s because, on paper, it shares much of the same hardware as the previous Pixel 9a. It's still powered by the Tensor G4 chip, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of starting storage.

Based on my short time checking out the new model, I’ll tell you why I’m less convinced about Google’s budget in my Pixel 10a hands-on review.

Google Pixel 10a hands-on review: Specifications

Google Pixel 10a hands-on review: Price and release

Phone prices are bound to be unpredictable this year due to the ongoing RAM crisis, but I’m actually thrilled that the Pixel 10a remains at the same $499 starting price. That’s for the base model, which comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

If you look closely at the spec sheet above comparing the Pixel 10a vs. the Pixel 9a, you’ll notice striking similarities. I’m focusing heavily on the processor and camera hardware, which forces me to put the Pixel 10a’s value under the microscope.

Just as before, there are four colors to choose from. While Obsidian and Porcelain make a return, Berry and Fog are the two new additions. They’re a bit bolder and more saturated than previous options — though I would’ve loved to see entirely different shades. It'll go on sale starting on March 5.

Google Pixel 10a hands-on review: Design

Last year’s series saw a dramatic departure in design — one I was happy to see Google bringing back the flush camera design into the mainstream. With the Pixel 10a, Google makes iterative changes that refine the look and feel, such as shaving even more off the camera housing.

You can actually lay it flat on its back without any wiggle, which isn’t something other phone makers typically strive for. In addition to the new colors, it’s constructed from more recycled materials than any A-series phone before it. The result is still a clean-looking phone with rounded corners, flat sides, and a smooth finish that does a great job of repelling fingerprints.

Furthermore, Google claims it’s built to last, thanks to its IP68 rating for water and dust resistance and upgraded Corning Gorilla Glass 7i on the front for improved scratch and drop resistance. Other minor changes to the design include the SIM slot positioned to the side of the phone, symmetrical speakers on the bottom, and the two bands on the top edge of the phone.

While these iterative improvements are nice to have, the Pixel lacks the bolder design language of other budget competitors like the Nothing Phone 3a.

Google Pixel 10a hands-on review: Display

I can’t say if Google’s claim about the Pixel 10a’s display being 11% brighter than the Pixel 9a is accurate until it goes through testing in the Tom’s Guide labs, but it certainly looks sharp based on the videos I've played so far. The 6.3-inch Actua display also features the same 60–120Hz refresh rate as before, so animations appear suitably fluid.

For a budget phone, it’s hard to ask for much more. But again, I have to reiterate that this display is almost identical to the Pixel 9a.

Google Pixel 10a hands-on review: Camera

This is another area of the Pixel 10a where I find myself using a magnifying glass to uncover differences. As much as I appreciate the truly flush look of the camera housing, the specs leave me feeling a bit indifferent. That’s because this dual-camera system consists of a 48MP main camera paired with a 13MP ultrawide.

They appear to be the same as the Pixel 9a, right down to the sensor size, apertures, and fields of view. I’m not holding my breath for marked improvements, but it’ll be interesting to see what Google’s image processing algorithms deliver.

In my 200-photo shootout between the Pixel 9a and iPhone 16e, Google’s phone narrowly won out. Even though I expect similar results in a Pixel 10a vs. iPhone 16e rematch, I’m not as confident that its performance will hold up against other rivals released this year.

Beyond the hardware, the Pixel 10a gains a couple of new AI-assisted photo tools that accompanied the Pixel 10 release: Auto Best Take and Camera Coach. I tried them out, and they work exactly as they do on my Pixel 10 Pro XL. Now, the only question I have is whether the Pixel 9a ends up getting them as well through future software updates.

Google Pixel 10a hands-on review: Performance

Since it's powered by the same Tensor G4 chip as before, I don’t expect any major differences in the Pixel 10a’s performance — which is a shame, because a performance boost has always been a given with newer releases. That may not be the case here, so benchmark tests will ultimately tell the full story.

The average person might not even care about this, mainly because the Pixel 10a runs smoothly enough for most tasks. It helps that the display has a 60–120Hz refresh rate, which keeps the phone feeling snappy. I’m confident it’ll hold up to today’s graphically intensive gaming titles, but I wouldn’t put it on the same pedestal as current flagships.

Google Pixel 10a hands-on review: Battery life and charging

Once again, there is no change to the battery capacity of the Pixel 10a. With a 5,100 mAh battery under the hood, I’m not expecting longer battery life than before. The Pixel 9a posted an average time of 13 hours and 8 minutes on the Tom’s Guide battery life test, so I suspect this new model will, at the very least, match that mark.

Thankfully, there are notable upgrades to the Pixel 10a in the form of faster 30W wired and 15W wireless charging — though it still lacks the magnets needed for proper Qi2 magnetic wireless charging.

Google Pixel 10a hands-on review: Software

On the surface, you won’t find much that's different about the Pixel 10a’s software. That’s because it’s running Android 16, which is already running on the Pixel 9a. There’s really nothing new here that I can’t already do with the older model.

You’ve got access to AI-powered features such as Gemini Live, Nano Banana, and Circle to Search — but again, those aren't unique to this device. The only meaningful addition to the Pixel 10a’s software is support for Satellite SOS, a first for the A-series. This is an invaluable tool owners can tap into to get help in the event they’re without Wi-Fi or cellular service.

Apart from that, Google is pledging seven years of Android and security updates. That’s still the gold standard, especially for budget phones.

Google Pixel 10a hands-on review: Outlook

Unless Google is holding back software or hardware tricks that could allow the Pixel 10a to produce marked improvements over the Pixel 9a, I’m afraid this is one of the laziest phone upgrades I’ve ever come across. It makes me wonder if phone makers should move to longer release cycles. Instead of a yearly refresh, a two-year cycle might be more compelling — and certainly more cost-effective.

I really hope the Pixel 10a proves me wrong during my full testing. Otherwise, why spend more on the new model when you could likely pick up the Pixel 9a at a significant discount?

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