Pixel 10a camera: All the new upgrades
Pixel 10a camera upgrades look unlikely.
Google’s Pixel "a" series has earned a reputation for delivering some of the best camera performance in the midrange segment, leaning heavily on software and computational photography since day one. With the Pixel 10a expected to arrive this February (even earlier than its predecessor), you might be wondering whether any camera upgrades will come with it too.
Based on current leaks, certifications, and early renders, it looks like the Pixel 10a will be very similar to the Pixel 9a, maybe even too similar. There is no word of new image sensors or new lenses, so we expect Google to focus on software features and changes instead.
All information below is based on pre-release details, so specs and features may still change before launch.
How many cameras will the Pixel 10a have?
The Pixel 10a is expected to feature two rear cameras and a single front-facing camera, just like previous "a" series. We will likely see the same camera setup with a wide (main) snapper and an ultra-wide. At the front, the Pixel 10a will probably have the same single hole-punch selfie camera from last year.
Leaked CAD renders and supposed official images suggest that Google will stick with the same flush, bar-less camera design introduced with the Pixel 9a, allowing the phone to sit flat on a surface without wobble—a rare perk nowadays.
Leaked CAD renders and supposed official images suggest that Google will stick with the same flush, bar-less camera design introduced with the Pixel 9a, allowing the phone to sit flat on a surface without wobble—a rare perk nowadays.
Pixel 10a camera: How many megapixels will it be?
Based on certification listings and multiple reports, the Pixel 10a’s camera hardware is expected to remain largely unchanged from the Pixel 9a.
| Camera | Megapixels |
|---|---|
| Main (Wide) | 48 MP |
| Ultra-wide | 13 MP |
| Front (Selfie) | 13 MP |
Will the Pixel 10a get camera hardware upgrades?
Probably not.
So far, every reliable leak points to Google reusing the same camera hardware as the Pixel 9a. This would mean:
From a product-line perspective, this approach makes sense in a way. The Pixel 9a already used camera hardware closely related to Google’s foldable lineup, and upgrading the sensors further could blur the lines between the affordable “a” series and Google’s more expensive Pixel models.
So far, every reliable leak points to Google reusing the same camera hardware as the Pixel 9a. This would mean:
- No telephoto camera
- No increase in megapixel count
- No larger sensors
From a product-line perspective, this approach makes sense in a way. The Pixel 9a already used camera hardware closely related to Google’s foldable lineup, and upgrading the sensors further could blur the lines between the affordable “a” series and Google’s more expensive Pixel models.
Computational photography will remain a focus
As with previous Pixel phones, the Pixel 10a’s camera performance is expected to depend far more on software than on hardware.
The phone will almost certainly launch with Android 16 and Google’s latest camera algorithms, so the Pixel 10a should benefit from:
Even with unchanged sensors, Google has a strong track record of extracting incremental gains through updated processing alone.
The phone will almost certainly launch with Android 16 and Google’s latest camera algorithms, so the Pixel 10a should benefit from:
- Improved HDR tone mapping
- More consistent exposure across challenging lighting
- Refined Super Res Zoom processing (expected up to 8x)
- Better skin tones and color consistency compared to older Pixels
Even with unchanged sensors, Google has a strong track record of extracting incremental gains through updated processing alone.
Pixel 10a camera vs Pixel 9a: What will actually change?
Based on everything we know so far, the Pixel 10a camera performance and image quality should feel and look very similar to that of the Pixel 9a. The photo quality in daylight, digital zoom via Super Res Zoom, HDR and color reproduction, should all be almost the same.
Unless Google surprises us, it seems the Pixel 10a's camera won't be a reason to upgrade from the older model. Still, it will probably do what Pixel “a” phones already do pretty well, which is delivering consistently good photos and neat camera features.
For buyers upgrading from older Pixels or coming from other midrange phones, that should still be enough to make the Pixel 10a one of the safer camera picks in its class once it launches.
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