The Pixel 10a is official, and it’s one of Google’s smallest upgrades yet
What you need to know
- Google launched the Pixel 10a with a standard design and only minor hardware changes with the Pixel 9a.
- The phone keeps the same display and cameras but adds Gorilla Glass 7i and a slightly more refined design.
- It uses the Tensor G4 instead of the Tensor G5 but still brings some Pixel 10 AI features and seven years of updates.
- The Pixel 10a starts at $499 and is available for pre-order right now, going on sale from March 5, 2026.
Google officially released the Pixel 10a on February 18, 2026. If that sounds fast compared to the Pixel 9a series, you’re wrong, especially since it hasn’t even been a full year – and the improvements here aren’t very extensive.
On the surface, the Pixel 10a looks eerily similar to the Pixel 9a, and that’s because it very much is. The phone carries forward the same slim back design with a capsule-like camera module. One small change is that the Pixel 10a is 0.1 mm thicker, allowing the camera to remain completely flexible. It is also 3 grams lighter.
Google also proudly claims that this is the A series phone made from the most recycled materials yet. In terms of durability, it retains the same IP68 dust and water rating as last year’s model.
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On the front, not much has changed either. It features the same 6.3-inch pOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate and chunky bezels. Display protection has been improved, however, as Google now includes improved Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. The camera hardware also remains unchanged, meaning you still get a large 48MP sensor paired with a 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera.
Tensor G4 again, for better or worse
Under the hood, the Pixel 10a is powered by the Tensor G4 chipset, which is notable since previous A-series phones used the same chip as the base flagship. Meanwhile, the entire Pixel 10 lineup uses the Tensor G5.
That said, it still borrows some AI features from the Pixel 10 series. These include Camera Coach, which uses Gemini to analyze scenes and offer suggestions, and Auto Best Take. Other AI features like Add Me and chat editing in Google Photos are also included.
The Pixel 10a ships with Android 16 and Material 3 Expressive out of the box and will receive OS updates for seven years, similar to other models in the Pixel 10 lineup. Notably, the Pixel 10a also comes with AirDrop support for quick sharing. This feature was recently extended to the Pixel 9 series, but the Pixel 9a missed out (for now).
There are a few other additions, including support for satellite SOS, a first for the A-series Pixel. This allows users to connect to emergency services when mobile networks or Wi-Fi are not available.
Battery capacity remains at 5,100 mAh, and wireless charging remains at 23W. However, wireless charging sees a modest improvement, going up to 10W from 5W on the Pixel 9a.
Price and new colors of Pixel Buds 2a
The Pixel 10a starts at $499/€549/₹49,999 and still only offers 128GB of storage in the base model. It comes in four colors: Lavender (purple-blue), Berry (red-pink), Mist (green), and Obsidian (black). Alongside the phone, Google also introduced two new colors for the Pixel Buds 2a, Berry and Fog, to match the palette of the Pixel 10a.
Pre-orders are open now for both the Pixel 10a and Pixel Buds 2a in the new colors, with general availability expected on March 5, 2026.
Android Central Take
This may be Google’s least exciting development in recent years. On paper, the Pixel 10a doesn’t seem too different from the Pixel 9a because, in many ways, they aren’t.
I’d like to see a jump to the Tensor G5 and maybe an upgrade to the camera, but Google seems to have played it safe this time. That said, the right experience can still change that opinion.
The Pixel 10a sticks closely to the Pixel 9a formula with a standard design, Tensor G4 chip, and a 6.3-inch 120 Hz display. There are a few minor improvements, such as satellite SOS, AirDrop-Quick Share support, and wireless charging improvements. You also get seven years of updates and other new AI features in the Pixel 10 lineup.
