If you're a so-called Android purist or a general hardcore Google fan... who can't afford the Pixel 10 or Pixel 10 Pro, you may want to wait a few more weeks before settling for the Pixel 9a. That's because a (theoretically) improved Pixel 10a is coming soon, and if you're wondering how soon, the typically well-connected "billbil_kun" with Dealabs over in France claims to have (almost) all the inside information you need (translated here), including the phone's recommended prices for the old continent.
Save these dates... and this much money
18, 5, 549, and 649. No, those are not this week's numbers for the weirdest lottery in the world, but the most important digits purportedly associated with the upcoming Pixel 10a.
February 18 is apparently when the device will be formally unveiled and put up for pre-order, with an actual release then scheduled for March 5. The two dates would largely line up with the slightly less specific "ev-leak" from a few days ago, pushing the newest member of the Google-made Pixel family a little earlier in the year than the 2025-released 9a.
Doesn't this design seem a little familiar?
€549 and €649, meanwhile, is how much the 10a is expected to cost in Europe in 128 and 256GB storage variants respectively with 8GB RAM also on deck. Should those price tags make you happy? Well, that depends. If you feared Big G would take a page from a number of its rivals (and Android-using partners) by making its next mid-range soldier more expensive than the Pixel 9a, then this is pretty good news.
But if you paid attention to all the recent Pixel 10a rumors, you probably expected the handset to cost less than its predecessor, which... may not happen after all.
Recommended For You
Will you buy the Pixel 10a when it's released?
At those prices, absolutely not
28.57%
Probably not
42.86%
Maybe, but only if it comes with a Tensor G5 chip
14.29%
Maybe, but only if it brings some upgrades over the 9a
14.29%
Probably
0%
Yes, €549 and €649 are also the 9a's typical list prices in countries like France, which almost certainly means the 10a will start at the same €499 in the US as its (extremely similar) forerunner.
Yeah, I definitely think I've seen this unreleased phone before.
Obviously, it's not unusual to see companies like Google release "new" phones that look a lot like their old phones, but this thing seems to take that notion to a whole new level, possibly rehashing the Pixel 9a's key specs as well. We're talking an unchanged 6.3-inch screen with 120Hz refresh rate technology, 48 + 13MP dual rear-facing camera system, 13MP front-facing snapper, 5,100mAh battery, and according to some sources, even the same old Tensor G4 processor.
For what it's worth, today's Dealabs report suggests the Pixel 10a might be upgraded to a Tensor G5 chip after all, but if nothing else is changed, I'm still going to find it very hard to recommend this "new" device, especially at the exact same prices as the "old" Pixel 9a.
Maybe this lineup is not suited for a yearly release cycle
Here's a crazy idea - if the Pixel 10a is just a repackaged Pixel 9a with a different name, why not keep the latter product around (at a reduced price), cancel the former, and skip directly to a Pixel 11a with real improvements next year?
There it is! | Image Credit -- PhoneArena
That would certainly be an unconventional strategy, but Google is not (always) one to follow the industry trends and movements of its competitors automatically. Who knows, maybe the search giant would start a new current with such a decision, and we wouldn't get such disappointing Galaxy A-series (non) upgrades every year either.
Of course, this is all just a pipe dream of mine, but perhaps if the Pixel 10a doesn't sell very well, its manufacturers will consider a strategy shift of some sort. Or, even better, actually find meaningful ways to improve their phones year after year.
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts:
New accounts created within the last 24 hours may experience restrictions on how frequently they can
post or comment.
These limits are in place as a precaution and will automatically lift.
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: