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From the look of the rumors, comparing the Google Pixel 10a vs the Pixel 9a is going to give anyone a serious case of déjà vu.
The Google Pixel 10a, due to arrive in a matter of weeks, looks set to succeed the Pixel 9a as one of the best cheap phones on sale today. But whether that means it's the overall better purchase is another matter, as the specs seem to be so similar that the older phone may be the better buy than the newer one.
Google Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a: Specs
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Pixel 10a (rumored) | Pixel 9a |
Starting price | $499 | $499 |
Display | 6.28-inch AMOLED | 6.28-inch AMOLED |
Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
Rear cameras | 48MP main, 13MP ultrawide | 48MP main, 13MP ultrawide |
Front cameras | 13MP | 13MP |
Chipset | Tensor G4 | Tensor G4 |
RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB |
Battery | 5,100 mAh | 5,100 mAh |
Charging | 23W wired, 7.5W wireless | 23W wired, 7.5W wireless |
Operating system | Android 16 | Android 16 (update from Android 15) |
Water/dust resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
Google Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a: Price and availability
Google has announced that the Pixel 10a will arrive on February 18, so we're not going to have to wait long until you can pre-order it. The retail launch date isn't known yet however. Meanwhile, the Pixel 9a is already up for sale, as it has been since March last year. It's a little sad it won't reach its first birthday before it gets replaced, but maybe that's just a me problem.
The Pixel 9a starts at $499, and it's claimed (via Dealabs) Google won't change that price for the Pixel 10a. That's a reasonable price for a phone designed to be affordable, although with the 9a likely to get discounted after the 10a's launch, it's still worth considering both even if your priority is pricing.
Google Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a: Design and display
After a big redesign last year for the Pixel 9a, it now looks like Google's not changing a whole lot for the Pixel 10a. Google's official renders of the 10a show the new model has slightly larger camera lens window, but otherwise we still have a flat-backed phone with squared-off sides, and what we assume to be the same flat display with a central punch-hole front camera.
Even the color of the new Pixel looks similar to the outgoing model, with the 10a in Google's renders looking similar in hue to the Iris option that the Pixel 9a was offered in. Google will likely offer black and white options for the Pixel 10a as it has for the 9a, with perhaps one other brighter color, to follow up on the pink Peony option the 9a also has.
Going back to the display, the old and new Pixel a-series phones are believed to be using the same 6.3 inch OLED "Actua" display, according to tipster Evan Blass, with a 120Hz maximum refresh rate. Assuming Google doesn't make any alterations to the basic hardware between generations, this bright, colorful screen should still be one of the best around.
Google Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a: Cameras
We are led to believe that the cameras on the Pixel 10a and Pixel 9a will be exactly the same. The 48MP main, 13MP ultrawide and 13MP selfie cameras that Google used on the 9a are supposedly going to effectively be copy/pasted onto the model.
This doesn't rule out Google adding other camera functions to the Pixel 10a, or improving the image processing pipeline that the raw images go through between being captured on the camera sensor and displayed on your screen. But don't get your hopes up for big alterations.
Google Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a: Specs
Continuing the theme of familiar parts, the Pixel 10a will apparently use the same chip as the Pixel 9a - Google's Tensor G4. The chip is a rare element to skip upgrading, especially when Google has the Tensor G5 on deck for the more expensive Pixel 10 models. It's perhaps justifiable, since processing power is not often a priority for budget phone shoppers. Google may even have squeezed more power out of the Tensor G4, having had another year to work on optimizing it. But we should probably assume that benchmark or gaming performance won't be that different on the Pixel 10a from the 9a.
That goes for memory specs too. The Pixel 10a will likely use 8GB RAM like the Pixel 9a, and a base 128GB storage option with a 256GB upgrade. These specs are par for the course with cheaper phones, although it's odd that Google seemingly doesn't want to increase the 10a's RAM despite its continued focus on Gemini AI features.
The Pixel 10's battery capacity and charging speeds aren't tipped to change from the Pixel 9a's either — 23W wired and 7.5W wireless charging is nothing special, but will keep the spacious 5,100 mAh battery topped up when you need it. It would be fun if Google added PixelSnap magnetic support to the 10a to allow it to work with the new accessories made for other Pixel 10 models, though.
The Pixel 10a will launch with Android 16, while the Pixel 9a started with Android 15. While the 9a can be upgraded to the same Android version, it will run out of its seven promised updates a year sooner, by virtue of being a year older. It's an important consideration if you want as much mileage out of your new phone as possible.
New software and AI features could be given to the Pixel 10a, but equally Google may decide that due to the lower RAM capacity or other hardware limitations, these features have to be limited to the flagship Pixel 10 models.
Google Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a: Outlook
Now you've reached the end of this face-off, you can see why we think the transition from Pixel 9a to Pixel 10a will be one of the smallest phone upgrades of the year. Very little hardware seems to be changing, if any, and the software differences aren't likely to be much larger either.
The Pixel 10a isn't a hopeless case though. By being a year newer, it'll get an extra year of updates over the Pixel 9a, which is important for long-term value. And every unique Android or Gemini feature it gains from the Pixel 10 series will help justify buying it over the Pixel 9a a little more each time.
Users who already have a Pixel 9a should probably put any thoughts about upgrading to the 10a to bed already. But if you don't own either phone, the Pixel 9a could still be the better pick, depending on any discounts it receives after the Pixel 10a arrives. But if you want a more concrete opinion, then return to this page in the near future when we've reviewed the Pixel 10a and can show you whether it beats the Pixel 9a or not with the test data to prove it.
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