The Google Pixel 10a is the very best telephone you should purchase for $500

When Google introduced the Pixel 10a final month, many individuals’s first response, together with mine, was that it was primarily a carbon copy of the Pixel 9a, with a couple of minor adjustments. After utilizing the telephone for the previous couple of weeks, I can affirm that is undoubtedly the case, but in addition, it is not a motive to write down off the Pixel 10a completely. Regardless of its similarities to the Pixel 9a, I’ve come to essentially respect what the Pixel 10a presents, particularly for individuals with older A-series telephones.

For starters, the Pixel 10a is a extra reasonably priced model of Google’s flagship telephone, the Pixel 10. It has a much less highly effective Tensor G4 chipset and contains a smaller digicam array than the Pixel 10, with a 48-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens. It is acquired a stupendous 6.3-inch AMOLED show, with an adaptive refresh price of 120Hz. And most significantly, price-wise, it is available in at $500. That is $300 cheaper than the Pixel 10, and $100 cheaper than Apple’s new iPhone 17e.

For those who’re new to Google’s Pixel lineup or have an older Android telephone and are contemplating an improve, the Pixel 10a presents a compelling, well-rounded expertise that is powerful to beat at $500.

Value, availability, and specs

The Google Pixel 10a is obtainable now, beginning at $500 for the 128GB mannequin and $600 for the 256GB mannequin. The Pixel 10a is available in 4 colours: lavender, berry, fog, and obsidian. The colour proven on this assessment is fog, a light-weight inexperienced shade I’ve actually grown keen on.

It contains a 6.3-inch Actua pOLED show with a 1080 x 2424-pixel decision, an adaptive refresh price of as much as 120Hz, 2000 nits of HDR brightness, and three,000 nits of peak brightness. It additionally has Corning Gorilla Glass 7i defending it.

On the digicam entrance, the Pixel 10a has a 13-megapixel front-facing selfie digicam and, on the again, a 48-megapixel wide-angle lens alongside a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens.

Internally, the Pixel 10a is powered by a Tensor G4 chipset, the identical as within the Pixel 9a, with 8GB of RAM and a 5,100mAh battery. Google additionally ensures seven years of working system and safety updates for the Pixel 10a, matching the assist supplied for the Pixel 10 collection.

What I like in regards to the Pixel 10a

A fantastic design paired with easy efficiency

The very first thing I’ve to acknowledge in regards to the Pixel 10a is simply how stunning the design is. It is quite simple, nevertheless it appears to be like beautiful, and feels nice to carry. The telephone solely weighs 6.5oz (0.41lbs), and regardless of its $500 price ticket, feels exceptionally premium. The telephone itself has a matte composite again that feels actually easy and a satin aluminum body, each of which I discovered surprisingly fingerprint resistant.

The show is similar 6.3-inch OLED that the Pixel 9a has, however Google has barely improved it for the Pixel 10a with a ten p.c brighter display screen, reaching 2000 nits of HDR brightness and three,000 nits at peak brightness. It additionally options an exceptionally easy 120Hz adaptive refresh price, a transparent benefit over the iPhone 17e, which stays caught at 60Hz. General, looking the online, watching movies, sending emails, and doomscrolling all look nice on the show and pop.

The digicam is one space the place the Pixel 10a differs from the Pixel 9a, however solely in design. Probably the most noticeable design change that the Pixel 9a had over the Pixel 8a was the removing of the digicam bar, changed by a small digicam bump. On the Pixel 10a, Google has retained the identical digicam look because the Pixel 9a however has eradicated the bump, making the digicam flush with the again of the telephone. This lets you place the telephone flat on any floor with out wobbling, which I discovered fairly neat and completely different from different smartphones. Coming from the Pixel 8a, I’ve actually come to love the digicam design on the Pixel 10a, and I believe its simplicity enhances the telephone’s general modern aesthetic.

By way of the digicam’s efficiency, it is nothing earth-shattering, however I believed the 48-megapixel broad lens and the 13-megapixel ultrawide took fairly detailed photographs for a $500 telephone, and the 13-megapixel entrance selfie digicam undoubtedly makes me look higher than I really do.

I did not encounter any efficiency points with the Pixel 10a both, and it dealt with a ton of apps open directly with no downside. Admittedly, I do not sport on any smartphone I exploit, so I am unable to converse to the Pixel 10a’s efficiency there, however the general Android 16 software program expertise was wonderful and easy. Battery life can also be nice, and just like the Pixel 9a, the Pixel 10a simply lasts all day, after which some. I discovered myself plugging it in about day-after-day and a half. Moreover, the Pixel 10a helps 30W wired charging, a pleasant increase over the Pixel 9a’s 23W.

What I did not like in regards to the Pixel 10a

Pixelsnap is lacking

The principle factor that bothers me in regards to the Pixel 10a is the shortage of magnets. When the Pixel 10 collection debuted final summer time, one of many largest upgrades over the Pixel 9 collection was the addition of magnets, which Google calls Pixelsnap. This implies the telephones now assist Qi2 magnetic charging and magnetic equipment like chargers, circumstances, wallets, and extra, just like Apple’s MagSafe. I actually want Google had added Pixelsnap to the Pixel 10a to maintain it constant throughout your entire Pixel 10 lineup, and it might additionally make wi-fi charging a lot simpler.

Subsequent up, I wish to discuss in regards to the Pixel 10a’s display screen once more. Whereas I do assume its OLED show appears to be like nice, the bezels on it are nonetheless fairly thick. With Google probably not altering a lot internally with the Pixel 10a this 12 months, it might’ve been good to see it make the bezels on the display screen a lot thinner, just like the Pixel 10. I do know this is not one thing that may trouble everybody, nevertheless it did distract me barely, and I believe the telephone would look method higher if these bezels have been only a bit smaller.

Lastly, I wish to revisit the chipset. Whereas my expertise with efficiency was easy, I am unable to assist however really feel disenchanted that the Pixel 10a does not function the identical Tensor G5 chipset because the Pixel 10. I perceive this was seemingly as a consequence of price causes, however Google’s A-series telephones normally share the identical chipset as their flagship counterparts, just like the Pixel 8a with the identical Tensor 3 because the Pixel 8, and the Pixel 9a with the identical Tensor G4 because the Pixel 9. It could have been good to see the Pixel 10a geared up with the Tensor G5, which I consider might have added far more longevity to the gadget.

Must you purchase the Pixel 10a?

For those who’re in search of a strong mid-range handset, it is arduous to beat

The Pixel 10a is unquestionably the most effective mid-range smartphones you should purchase proper now. Sure, in comparison with the Pixel 9a, it solely has a couple of small variations, however in case you already personal a Pixel 9a, you are in all probability not seeking to purchase the Pixel 10a anyway.

If in case you have an older Pixel A-series gadget, like a Pixel 6a, 7a, or 8a, and also you’re interested by an improve, the Pixel 10a collection is a good selection. It presents a premium design and really feel, easy efficiency, sturdy cameras, and spectacular battery life that is arduous to beat.

Though it might have been good to see Google improve the telephone a bit extra this 12 months, it is nonetheless a stable gadget general, and in a world the place costs preserve rising, the truth that it has the identical $500 price ticket as final 12 months is refreshing.

This gadget was supplied to Pocket-lint by Google.