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Unlike past year, Google's caller affordable Pixel 10a is person to its predecessor than the basal flagship model, the Pixel 10. Last year, the Pixel 9a bridged the spread betwixt A-series and flagship Pixel phones. Unfortunately, the aforesaid can't beryllium said for Google's lineup successful 2026.
The Pixel 10a doesn't vie with the Pixel 10 arsenic good arsenic the 9a did with the 9. And it isn't conscionable due to the fact that of its minimal upgrades.
Also: I went hands-on with each Google Pixel 10 exemplary - and was amazed by the 1 I loved most
In 2025, Google upgraded its basal exemplary with a clump of caller features (a dedicated telephoto camera and PixelSnap, among others), which had debased chances of trickling down to the A bid successful the archetypal place. But with the latest launch, it pulled the Pixel 10a from getting person to the Pixel 10 bid by not giving it a processor, camera, oregon artillery upgrade.
Despite its humble improvements, the Pixel 10a remains a coagulated enactment nether $500 and adjacent beats the Pixel 10 successful immoderate areas. Here's however the 2 Google phones compare, and which 1 you should buy.
Buy the Google Pixel 10a if…
1. You privation amended artillery life
The latest Google telephone packs a 5,100mAh battery, which is rated to past up to 30 hours connected a azygous charge. Going by the aforesaid authoritative metrics, the Pixel 10 is said to springiness you 24 hours of artillery beingness with its 4,970mAh cell.
I've utilized the Pixel 10 and past year's 9a, and recovered the second to past longer, truthful Google's metrics are reliable. Neither of the 2 phones volition past you an full time if you propulsion them to the limits, but the Pixel 10a fares amended successful day-to-day use.
Also: Google Pixel 10a vs. Pixel 9a: How overmuch of an upgrade is the caller affordable phone?
2. You sprout a batch of selfies
The Google Pixel 10a has a higher solution 13MP beforehand camera with a wider field-of-view (FoV) astatine 96.1 degrees. In comparison, the higher-end Pixel 10 has a 10.5MP selfie shooter with a 95-degree FoV. It has autofocus, too.
However, autofocus doesn't substance if the prime of the photograph isn't precise good. if you drawback a batch of selfies for socials oregon are the go-to selfie shooter for your group, the $499 Pixel 10a volition service you better.
3. You request a lightweight telephone without a camera protrusion
The caller Pixel 10a is 21 grams lighter than the somewhat smaller and slimmer Pixel 10. At 183g, it isn't the lightest telephone but Google's basal flagship exemplary is 1 of the fewer tiny phones that transverse the 200g people and it could get hefty successful day-to-day use.
Google besides flushed the camera bump connected the Pixel 10a. It sits level connected a table. This alteration fixes the awkward telephone wobble connected your table and different level surfaces. I don't find it bothersome, but I've seen radical complaining astir rear-camera housings protruding much each year. If you're 1 of those people, there's yet a telephone for you. By contrast, the Pixel 10 has the signature Google telephone look with its visor module.
Buy the Google Pixel 10 if…
1. You privation the champion of Google AI features
The Google Pixel 10 is powered by the Tensor G5 chipset and paired with 12GB of RAM, arsenic compared to 10a's Tensor G4 processor and 8GB of RAM. This gives it the borderline successful show and AI features.
Also: 7 Google Pixel telephone settings you should alteration instantly (and however to bash it)
You get things similar Pixel Screenshots, Magic Cue and Auto Unblur, among others. These features mightiness not look similar a large differentiator connected the spec expanse but could travel successful useful successful regular life.
2. You request a much versatile camera setup
The Pixel 10 is the archetypal basal Google flagship telephone to get a dedicated telephoto camera. It isn't the champion sensor, but it gives you much flexibility. You get a 10.8MP Dual PD telephoto camera susceptible of 5x optical zoom and up to 20x integer zoom.
I similar having 3 lenses astatine my disposal and would urge the Pixel 10 implicit 10a for this reason. Apart from this, some phones person the aforesaid superior and ultrawide-angle lens. There's a 48MP main sensor with f/1.7 aperture and a 13MP ultrawide-angle lens with a 120-degree tract of presumption connected the back.
3. You usage magnetic accessories
I emotion Apple's MagSafe and Google's Pixelsnap technology. Many deliberation they're conscionable made for wireless charging alignment but I find them much utile for on-the-go accessory support.
Also: Your Android telephone feeling slow? My 4-step refresh regular works wonders each time
On my iPhone, I've attached tripods, grips, wallets and much magnetically without reasoning twice. Bring a compatible accessory adjacent to your telephone and bam! It attaches magnetically, without needing you to fiddle with handles oregon immoderate benignant of cases. Since Pixelsnap is based connected the Qi2 wireless charging standard, immoderate of the MagSafe accessories antecedently marketed for iPhones besides enactment with the Pixel 10.
If artillery beingness and fund are your priorities, the Google Pixel 10a is for you. It has the aforesaid main camera and ultrawide lens, bigger compartment and a flush camera module packed successful a lighter design. However, if you privation a much almighty telephone with the latest and top Google features, the Pixel 10 should beryllium your adjacent phone.
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