Pixel 10a: Google relaunches its mid-range smartphone
Google is relaunching its mid-range smartphone with the Pixel 10a. The new generation is more refinement than revolution.
Pixel 10a (with protective case).
(Image: Google)
With the Pixel 9a, Google had introduced a new, highly reduced design language for its mid-range. The company is consistently continuing this with the Pixel 10a: The new model is intended to be more robust, the screen bezel narrower, and the back now completely flat. Major changes in hardware compared to the Pixel 9a are hard to find. After all, Google is keeping prices stable despite the memory crisis.
Like the Pixel 9a, which showed no major weaknesses in our test, the new model features a 6.3-inch pOLED display with Full HD resolution of 1080 × 2424 pixels and 422 ppi. It also supports a refresh rate of 60 to 120 Hz, but at up to 2000 cd/m² (HDR) and up to 3000 cd/m², it is slightly brighter than that of the 9a, which supports up to 1800 cd/m² (HDR) and up to 2700 cd/m². In everyday use, this should hardly be noticeable.
Robust refinement
According to Google, the Pixel 10a has slightly narrower bezels and higher robustness with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i than the 9a, which only has Gorilla Glass 3 as screen protection. Like the 9a, the new model is protected against dust and water according to IP68.
The slimmer bezel is noticeable in the dimensions: at 153.9 Ă— 73 mm, the Pixel 10a is slightly narrower and shorter than the 9a, which measures 154.7 Ă— 73.3 mm. However, the 10a is minimally thicker at 9 mm than the 9a at 8.9 mm. The new model also weighs 183 g, which is 3 g less than its predecessor (186 g).
Videos by heise
Tensor G4 again
On paper, there are no differences between the 9a and 10a in terms of processor, memory, and battery: Google continues to use the Tensor G4 chip, which is already in the 9a, flanked by 8 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of flash storage, respectively. The battery is also the same size: However, the 5100 mAh power unit is said to last 120 hours in extreme power-saving mode, while the 9a "only" lasts up to 100 hours – here, the manufacturer seems to have optimized the software. This should also affect the 9a. For normal battery life, Google speaks of more than 30 hours for both. At least the 10a is now said to charge at 30 watts, while the 9a only supports 23 watts.
(Image:Â Google)
Wireless charging is on board, but only at up to 10 W; the 9a only supports 7.5 W. Unfortunately, the new model does not support the magnetic Pixelsnap introduced with the Pixel 10. Here, Google makes a clear distinction between the mid-range and high-end.
Cameras like on the 9a
While the back of the 10a is said to be slightly flatter than on the 9a, the cameras are identical on paper: The wide-angle camera has a 48-megapixel sensor, and the ultra-wide-angle sensor has 13 megapixels. The front camera takes pictures with up to 13 megapixels. As is typical for Pixel phones, the cameras come with all sorts of AI-powered features – such as "Add me" introduced with the Pixel 9, which allows you to add the photographer to a group photo with a second photo. In the image editing options, you'll find other AI gimmicks like the "Magic Eraser" or "Best Take" for swapping faces in a group photo, and the macro function is also included. The "Camera Coach" function introduced with the Pixel 10 can also be used.
In terms of connectivity, the 10a supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6.0. The device also has a nano-SIM slot and eSIM support. An optical fingerprint sensor is integrated into the display, and face unlock can be used via the front camera. The only cable connection is a USB-C 3.2 port; the Google Pixel 10a does not have a headphone jack.
Android 16 out of the box
The Pixel 10a comes with Android 16 and Material 3 Expressive out of the box and will receive updates for seven years – until 2033. Given that the Pixel 9a has essentially the same hardware, it's possible that Google might grant the 2025 model an additional year at some point. However, this was not confirmed by Google upon inquiry; they stated 7 years of updates. It should not be forgotten, however, that Google had promised additional software updates to the Pixel 6 and 7, as well as the Pixel Tablet, years after their release. As another smartphone after the Pixel 10, the 10a also supports AirDrop to share data with iPhones or Macs.
Pre-orders for the Pixel 10a are open starting today, and delivery will begin on March 5th. In terms of price, it is just as expensive as its predecessor: the model with 128 GB costs 549 Euros, and Google charges 649 Euros for the 256 GB variant. It is offered in the colors Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian.
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
(afl)
