The Pixel 10a is right here to present Google followers a brand new choice at an inexpensive worth of $499. However apart from a number of small design tweaks, the addition of satellite tv for pc SOS, and a slight extension of software program assist, the Pixel 10a does not change issues a lot. It is going to show to be choice if all different smartphones maintain their retail costs, however we won’t ignore the truth that the Pixel 10a is launching a number of months after the Pixel 10 already obtained a reduction at a worth as little as $550.
Pixel 10a β Design and options
Google’s Pixel 10a is not progressive or thrilling. It borrows the Pixel 9a’s subdued look, eschewing the eye-catching digicam bar discovered on mainline Pixel fashions. Nevertheless, whereas the Pixel 9a’s digicam was barely raised from the again of the cellphone, the Pixel 10a’s digicam is definitely situated barely beneath the again. That is some extent Google made some extent of at launch, however it’s no particular technical achievement contemplating RedMagic’s daring gaming cellphone has achieved it a number of years in a row.
The show is spectacular, however few telephones costing greater than $500 value much less. The 6.3-inch display presents 1080×2424 decision, which is sharp sufficient for many makes use of. It runs easily at 120Hz, however there isn’t any capability to go right down to 1Hz for effectivity. Nonetheless, it is arduous to be mad at a colourful OLED that reaches as much as 3000 nits.
There are stereo audio system on both aspect of the show. One port comes out from the underside of the cellphone, and the opposite is pushed contained in the earpiece. The quantity is first rate, however it was somewhat harsh when gaming, and I had a tough time listening to podcasts over the cooking noise within the kitchen.
The cellphone’s footprint is modest. It is bigger than the Pixel 9, however nearly smaller than the Pixel 9a, apart from a slight bump in thickness. It matches comfortably in your hand, however it’s not fully compact. One purpose for that’s that the bezels throughout the 6.3-inch show are nonetheless a bit thick. Google claims it is thinner than the Pixel 9a’s bezels, however neither is competing for document thinness.
The alternatives Google has made about what to pack into its compact body are attention-grabbing. We have added some nice options, together with a bodily SIM slot to enhance the eSIM assist. This cellphone is provided with a USB 3.2 port for sooner wired information transmission. Google additionally selected to incorporate the required {hardware} for Satellite tv for pc SOS, which the Pixel 9a lacked.
Nevertheless, Google omitted some shocking issues. There aren’t any magnets accessible for Qi2 and Pixelsnap equipment. The Pixel 10a can nonetheless cost wirelessly, however solely at as much as 10 watts. 30W charging is supported, however requires a suitable proprietary charging brick.
Pixel 10a might be unlocked with facial recognition or the under-display fingerprint scanner. Each labored instantly in my testing.
Sturdiness is OK, however not wonderful. Because of the built-in gasket, the cellphone has glorious IP68 water resistance, holding out mud and water even at depths of as much as 5 ft. The plastic again materials feels good to the contact and appears like glass, however it will not break like glass for those who drop it. The Gorilla Glass 7i on the entrance was scratch-free in my testing, however it’s not assured to be as immune to excessive drops and scratches because the Gorilla Glass Victus present in different flagship smartphones. The cellphone has an aluminum body, which Google has matched to the colour of the again, however this may result in scratches.
Pixel 10a β Software program
The Pixel 10a runs on Android 16, and Google guarantees seven years of assist with OS and safety updates, along with Pixel Drops that deliver new options sometimes. This long-term assist could also be probably the most interesting options of the Pixel 10a. As a result of this type of assist is already uncommon in any cell phone, not to mention one with out a flagship worth.
Spotlight options within the Pixel 10a software program embrace assist for Auto Finest Take and Digital camera Coach within the Digital camera app, permitting customers to border images and take group photographs with out anybody blinking. The cellphone additionally helps a brand new fast share characteristic that’s suitable with Air Drop on iPhone. In testing, I used to be capable of share information on to my iPhone with only a few faucets.
Pixel 10a β Gaming and efficiency
The Pixel 10a did not have any notable inside upgrades. It is powered by the identical Tensor G4 chip because the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9a. The chip was already lagging behind Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chip on the time of its launch, and the hole is just widening. 8GB of RAM is lower than what’s included within the Pixel 9, however it does not intrude with regular utilization.
It is not that the Pixel 10a is gradual. In day by day use, it has been maintained with none issues. Easy ramp as much as 120 Hz offers clean animation whereas swiping, permitting you to browse the net effortlessly. It’s also appropriate for mild video games. I performed Carrion for an hour, and the cellphone solely bought somewhat heat, and I wasn’t certain if it was due to the sport or if the cellphone simply has a bizarre tendency to get somewhat heat. Rainbow Six Cellular on Extremely settings additionally dealt with easily. Nevertheless, in bigger, extra demanding video games like The place Winds Meet, you will not have the ability to go all out. The Pixel 10a was capable of run the sport on the Extremely graphics preset, however it was restricted to 30fps. At the least it just about maintained that body fee. The cellphone appears to be throttling sufficient to keep away from getting sizzling throughout use, however the heat is fairly fixed.
Whereas quick sufficient, the efficiency limitations that exist now will solely change into an even bigger hurdle sooner or later as extra demanding video games and apps emerge. So even when Google continues to assist your cellphone with software program updates, the {hardware} might not be as usable as soon as that assist interval ends.
In comparison with different latest gadgets, the Pixel 10a’s efficiency nonetheless leaves loads of room for enchancment. When it comes to multi-core and graphics efficiency, it falls nicely wanting the lower-priced Poco X7 Professional. This distinction solely widens when confronted with extra highly effective gadgets just like the OnePlus 15R, however the Pixel 10a tended to have a 30-50% lead. The Pixel 10 will even be launched earlier than the Pixel 10a, however it does not have a lot to jot down house about when it comes to graphics. And whereas it might look like a foregone conclusion that the Pixel 10 will outperform the Pixel 10a, it issues to potential patrons as a result of the Pixel 10 already has a reduction that brings it a lot nearer to the 10a’s worth than the MSRP.
The Pixel 10a’s battery life is nice, however not spectacular. Similar to the 9a, it packs in a 5,100mAh pack, providing you with all-day battery life even when the battery is low. Nevertheless, this cellphone appears to have somewhat extra passive put on and tear in a single day than I might have appreciated, so I would not count on it to simply survive two days of heavy use.
Pixel 10a β Digital camera
Cameras are usually a spotlight of Pixel smartphones, and whereas the lower-priced collection makes some sacrifices, they nonetheless carry out nicely. That mentioned, the Pixel 10a is not something new. It has the very same digicam system because the Pixel 9a. Contemplating it has the identical SoC because the Pixel 9a, there’s nothing new this cellphone can do within the digicam division.
- 48MP broad, f/1.7, 1/2 inch, OIS, EIS
- 13MP Ultrawide, f/2.2, 1/3.1 inch, 120 diploma FoV
- 13MP selfie, f/2.2, 96.1 diploma FOV
It is not all dangerous information. The primary sensor was nice final yr, and it is nice once more this yr. It permits loads of mild so you may profit from it even in dimly lit environments. It offers clear and colourful pictures with even the smallest particulars. Moreover, the broad aperture means that you can create a mushy blur within the background when taking close-up photographs.
Google will say that this sensor is nice sufficient for digital zoom, however most images taken with digital zoom do not maintain up nicely when seen at full measurement. Zooming in 2x in your cellphone has some benefits over merely zooming in on a 1x picture, because the cellphone does further noise discount and sharpening, however it nonetheless does not lead to a fantastic picture.
The ultra-wide-angle sensor helps you get extra perspective on massive, shut objects. You get fairly a little bit of element, even when it is mushy across the edges. Nevertheless, it isn’t an ideal complement to the principle sensor, and you could discover that the colour temperature is off from the principle sensor, making a collection of inconsistent images. The slender aperture additionally reduces efficiency in low-light environments, so even when the principle sensor is taking crisp, crisp images, switching to the ultra-wide sensor can lead to noisy images.
Selfie cameras are additionally OK. You get first rate mild and pure colours, and a discipline of view broad sufficient to seize a number of pals in the identical shot.
Not surprisingly, the Pixel 10a’s digicam high quality is nice sufficient to present it some safety from the OnePlus 15R and Poco X7 Professional for many who prioritize images over gaming efficiency. That mentioned, the Pixel 10a nonetheless faces the fact that the Pixel 10 sells for $550 to $600 (and nearly definitely will once more) and presents a major benefit with a further telephoto sensor.
Mark Knapp is a freelancer for videogameaddicted masking all issues electronics and gaming {hardware}. He has over 10 years of expertise within the expertise trade and has written bylines in PCMag, Reviewed, CNET, and extra. Discover Mark on Twitter @Techn0Mark or on BlueSky @Techn0Mark.