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Google’s upcoming mid-ranger, the Pixel 10a, may end up being one of the worst-value Pixels we’ve seen in years. Not because it will be underpowered, and not even because it is said to mostly be the same as the Pixel 9a.
The Pixel 10a is rumored to come with a $500 price tag, with so few upgrades that it would be hard to distinguish from its predecessor.
But if you are open to purchasing a slightly older device, you might find a much better deal. The previous generation Pixel 9 is currently also going for $500 on Amazon (unlocked, brand new). In fact, you can save even more on it if you opt for a Renewed Premium unit.
But what truly makes the Pixel 9 a better option is not just the similar or even better price but how much more you get in return.
Pixel 10a: The worst Pixel “a” series?
A leaked render of the Pixel 10a. | Image credit – OnLeaks and AndroidHeadlines
Google’s “a” series used to make a lot of sense for cost-conscious buyers. Those phones have consistently had the best price-to-camera ratio on the mid-range market since the Pixel 6a.
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Judging by the leaks I’ve seen about the Pixel 10a, it seems Google won’t be changing its strategy for this model. It will still have a uniform design with a plastic back, a big battery, excellent cameras, and seven years of updates. For $500, that’s still a compelling pitch, and it’s exactly what worked with previous Pixel “a” models.
Things are different this time, though. The rumors are painting a Pixel 10a that seems way too similar to its predecessor, the Pixel 9a. The only rumored change with the Pixel 10a at this moment is… new colors? Really, Google? At least a new chipset and PixelSnap support would be nice, but there has been no news that either is happening.
And then there’s the Pixel 9, which is currently discounted to $500 at Amazon. Even better, a Renewed Premum version—which has no cosmetic damage and greater battery health than 90%—can be purchased for just $450. Heck, throw in another $60 for iFixit's kit, and you can replace the battery with a brand new one too!
So, what more do you get by opting for the Pixel 9?
Cameras: close enough until they aren’t
The Pixel 10a will probably be good, but the Pixel 9 will simply be more consistent. | Image credit – PhoneArena
Google’s computational photography continues to be arguably the best on the market. The Pixel 10a is expected to reuse the Pixel 9a’s 48 MP main camera and 13 MP ultrawide, and in good lighting, it will probably take photos that look very Pixel-y, and I mean that in the best way.
But the Pixel 9’s cameras are slightly better. Both the main and ultrawide cameras come with larger sensors, which helps them take much cleaner photos and videos. The difference is especially noticeable in low-light conditions, like when you are out in town on an evening walk or out with your friends in a bar or a restaurant—the phone is able to capture more light and with a lot less noise in the image too.
If all you ever do is shoot daytime photos for social media, the Pixel 10a will probably be fine, but if you care about video quality, night shots, or consistency across both cameras, the Pixel 9 will still have a significant and noticeable advantage.
The little things that add up
Better glass, slimmer bezels, and extra features add up fast on the Pixel 9. | Image credit – PhoneArena
Both phones have bright OLED displays, but the Pixel 9’s screen supports a wider adaptive refresh range, has slimmer bezels, and is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 instead of the much older Gorilla Glass 3.
The Pixel 9 is also slightly more compact and comes with a glass back panel instead of a plastic one.
There are also some other perks, like support for Satellite SOS, faster wired and wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.
None of these are dealbreakers on their own. Together, they create a gap that’s hard to ignore if the price is the same for both devices.
To keep things fair, I have to give the 10a credit where it's due. The phone is rumored to come with the same 5,100 mAh battery capacity as the 9a, which we estimated to have 8 hours and 11 minutes of battery life vs 6 hours and 48 minutes on the Pixel 9.
If you care about battery life above everything else, that’s a difference you shouldn’t ignore.
Still, the Pixel 9 somewhat compensates with its faster charging times, both wired and wireless.
So… should you actually buy the Pixel 10a?
The Pixel 10a will only make sense if Google at least introduces the Tensor G5 chip and support for the PixelSnap ecosystem. Otherwise, I’d much rather go for the Pixel 9. If the advantages of last year’s flagship are not important to you, then going for the Pixel 9a would only save you more money.
Still, while everything points to a complete flop from Google when it comes to the Pixel 10a this year, I find it hard to believe that Google will be so lazy with this upgrade, especially for a product as popular and loved as the “a” series.
Thankfully, we expect Google to release the Pixel 10a as soon as next month, so it won’t be too long until we find out what shenanigans are going on exactly behind the scenes.
Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.
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