I’ve been using Pixel smartphones for a decade now and have never experienced a muted refresh from the latest mid-range Pixel A model. There is a lot of talk in the community, and rightly so. Google’s brand new Pixel 10a doesn’t have the dramatic technical improvements we’ve come to expect from annual updates. This even makes iPhone upgrades feel generous year-over-year.
The phone is strikingly similar to its predecessor, retaining the same overall design and core hardware but with only minor changes. The frame around the display is slightly narrower, the camera module sits more flush with the back and everything under the hood remains largely unchanged.
While the lack of headline-grabbing upgrades may seem disappointing at first glance, the Pixel 10a remains a strategically sound release. Google has focused on improving the basics rather than impressing with big upgrades. Viewed from this perspective, there are three clear reasons why the Pixel 10a still makes sense to me.
The Pixel 10a still delivers the core Pixel experience
At the heart of the Pixel 10a is a commitment to the things that make Pixel phones stand out: clean software, great everyday performance, and Google’s signature computational photography. While the Tensor G4 that powers the 10a doesn’t bring any performance improvements over last year’s model, it’s still more than capable of handling typical everyday tasks, from messaging and social media to light multitasking and media playback. Equally important is efficient power management, which helps keep the experience smooth and consistent throughout the day.
But it’s really the software, particularly the AI-driven experiences, that really sets it apart. These are not gimmicks, but rather high-quality features that offer sensible convenience. Real-time fraud detection in calls and messages thanks to Gemini Nano in the background. Call Assist can filter and block spam calls by having an AI assistant answer the call for you and decide its status before displaying an audio-visual alert. Call Notes allow you to privately transcribe and summarize your calls, while Hold for Me saves you the hassle of staying on the line for service calls. Finally, we have Clear Calling, which cleans up background noise and improves the caller’s voice.
My favorite is the on-call translation, which even preserves the speaker’s natural voice in the translated audio. On the software front, the Pixel 10a continues Google’s approach to bringing world-class AI capabilities to a wider audience. Tools like Camera Coach, which uses AI to help capture better shots in real time, and Auto Best Take, which intelligently selects the best expressions in group photos, show how software improvements can meaningfully improve the camera experience without new sensor hardware.
The device runs Android 16 out of the box, and Google has committed to seven years of operating system upgrades and security updates, a promise that remains rare in the mid-range segment. This level of long-term support ensures that the phone doesn’t feel dated so quickly, even if the hardware changes are minor. For buyers who value longevity over annual upgrades, this is a significant advantage. While the Pixel 10a doesn’t fundamentally reinvent the wheel, it retains the core strengths that have made the recent Pixel A-series phones some of the best midrange devices on the market.
A refined design and improvements that matter
Minimalism is an afterthought in smartphone design these days, and it’s not just a statement, but a necessity. You can’t fit huge sensors, vapor chambers and other premium extras into a sleek phone. But not every buyer needs so much chic and jazz. And that’s one of the main reasons why the Pixel 10a makes sense. While its specs aren’t entirely new, Google has clearly focused on refining the areas that matter most in everyday use.
While the phone’s 6.3-inch Actua pOLED display is the same size, its peak brightness has been increased from 2,700 nits to 3,000 nits, which should make it noticeably easier to use outdoors and in bright light. This extra headroom should improve visibility when navigating maps, replying to messages, or scrolling through social feeds in direct sunlight.
Durability has also taken a significant step forward. The Pixel 10a is now protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, replacing its predecessor’s older Gorilla Glass 3. The upgrade is intended to provide better resistance to scratches and drops and provide additional security for long-term use.
The loading speed has also been practically increased. Wired charging has increased from 23W to 30W, while wireless charging has increased from 7.5W to 10W. These aren’t top-notch numbers, but they reduce downtime and make the 5,100mAh battery easier to charge in everyday use.
Google has also introduced a new modem that enables satellite SOS. This makes the Pixel 10a the first A-series device to have this feature. While most users won’t rely on it regularly, it adds a layer of emergency connectivity that was previously limited to high-end models.
Taken together, these upgrades don’t fundamentally change the device, but they do make it more practical, more durable, and somewhat more future-proof than before.
Balanced equipment at a reasonable price
For most buyers, choosing a mid-range phone means a compromise. Typically, you trade flagship-level specs and features for a cheaper price and accept that some premium features will be omitted. The Pixel 10a handles these compromises carefully, offering a familiar formula without increasing the asking price.
By carrying over much of the core hardware from last year’s model, Google has also avoided the pressure of rising component costs. This decision allows the company to keep the Pixel 10a’s price competitive while focusing its upgrades on areas that significantly improve the everyday experience.
In the US, the Pixel 10a is available for pre-order at a starting price of $499, with introductory offers and trade-in offers helping to reduce the effective cost. While it doesn’t undercut every competitor in the segment, this pricing remains quite within reach for buyers upgrading from a device that’s two or three generations old.
Sure, it’s not a compelling upgrade over the Pixel 9a, but it’s worth considering for those coming from older Pixel A-series devices or aging mid-range phones from Samsung, OnePlus, or Motorola. For those users, the combination of a brighter and longer-lasting display, faster charging, a slimmer design and seven years of software support makes it a sensible choice over last year’s model.
Paired with Google’s crisp Android experience and AI capabilities, the Pixel 10a offers a well-rounded package at a reasonable price. It may not dominate the spec sheet, but it delivers where it counts, making it a good choice for buyers who prioritize durability, reliability and overall value over headline-grabbing updates.
It’s not for everyone, but it’s still worth considering
To be fair, the reaction to the Pixel 10a hasn’t been entirely positive. The hardware changes over the Pixel 9a are minimal, so there’s little reason for current owners to upgrade. Strictly speaking as an annual update, this perspective is understandable.
However, most smartphone buyers don’t upgrade every year. Many come from devices that are two, three or even four years old, phones that may now have issues with performance, battery life or ongoing software support. For these users, the Pixel 10a’s incremental improvements combined with its long-term update commitment are likely to be far more meaningful than the spec sheet suggests.
