Pixel 10a vs Pixel 10: Main differences to expect
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Google has a new Pixel device in the pipeline that will become official by mid-February, and it will be called Pixel 10a.
Be no mistaken, though: rumors have it that the Pixel 10a is basically a Pixel 9a, just available in a slew of new colors.
Definitely a weird move that would mark one of the smallest intergenerational updates ever. Could there be more than meets the eye? Unlikely, given how correct the rumor mill is about Google Pixel leaks every year.
Let's compare how the Pixel 10a would compare against the Pixel 10, one of the more capable compact Pixels out there.
Pixel 10a vs Pixel 10 expected differences:
| Pixel 10a | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Same flat design as Pixel 10/9a, just new colors | Flat and modern design language |
| Google Tensor G4 4nm | Equipped with the 3nm Google Tensor G5 chipset |
| 8 GB RAM | 12 GB RAM |
| 6.3-inch display as well, Gorilla Glass 3 | Slightly brighter 6.3-inch screen, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| 2,700-nit peak brightness | 3,000-nit peak brightness |
| Dual-camera system | Triple-camera system, first regular Pixel with 5X telephoto |
| 5,100 mAh battery | 4,970 mAh battery |
| 23 W wired charging | 30 W wired charging |
| 7.5W wireless charging | Qi2 15W wireless charging |
| No Pixelsnap system | Pixelsnap |
| $499 price | $799 price (no changes vs Pixel 9) |
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
Visual changes only
The Pixel 10a is expected to be identical to the Pixel 9a down to the exact dimensions and size.
This means it will stand at 8.9mm thin (or thick, depending on how you look at it), which is definitely not among the thinnest devices, but that's pretty expected from an affordable device. And actually, comparing the Pixel 10a to the Pixel 10 flagship reveals that we might only be looking at a minor 0.3 mm difference in favor of the Pixel 10, so not a major difference at all.
The rest of the dimensions go the Pixel 10's way, which is shorter and narrower, therefore more compact and intuitive to handle. The weight is a bit higher on the new Pixel 10, though.
In terms of materials, there's a clear distinction between the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 10, though it doesn't have particularly major repercussions for real-life usage. While both phones use aluminum frames, the Pixel 10a uses a plastic backplate, while the Pixel 10 relies on a Gorilla Glass one, delivering a more premium experience.
Both phones are IP68 water- and dust-resistant. That's the standard these days, and some devices hailing from China even arrive with IP69 and IP69K ratings, which mean they can withstand high-pressure water jets. Nice.
| Pixel 10a | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Thickness 8.9 mm | Thickness 8.6 mm |
| Dimensions 154.7 x 73.2 mm | Dimensions 152.8 x 72 mm |
| Weight 186 g | Weight 204 g |
The only seeming difference between the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 9a is the slew of new colors. See, the Pixel 10a will come in Obsidian, Berry, Fog, and Lavender colors (as opposed to the Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, and Peony ones of the Pixel 9a). At the same time, the Pixel 10 arrives in the colorful Lemongrass, Obsidian, Frost, and Indigo hues.
Display Differences
The Pixel 10a doesn't deliver any changes in comparison to the Pixel 9a: expect a 6.3-inch FHD+ OLED display with up to a 120 Hz refresh rate and a very high 2,700 nits of peak brightness. Definitely a very good display for a $500 phone.
The Pixel 10 is mostly similar but slightly better in terms of peak brightness; it's also protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while the Pixel 10a has Gorilla Glass 3.
| Pixel 10a | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Size 6.3" | Size 6.3" |
| Brightness 2,700 nits (peak) | Brightness 3,000 nits (peak) |
In terms of biometrics, we expect the Pixel 10a to boast an optical fingerprint sensor, which usually functions a bit slower than an ultrasonic one. The Pixel 10 has one of those, as it befits its premium status.
One thing to have in mind is that Google has successfully made its face unlock secure enough to be used for banking authentication without having a dedicated 3D biometric module. That's a welcome step over picture-based face unlocking. Both the Pixel 10a and Pixel 10 will most certainly share that.
Performance and Software
Not a big difference in raw performance
The Pixel 10a arrives with the Tensor G4 chipset, the older 4 nm chipset that powered devices like the Pixel 9a, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Not a bad chipset, but a bit lacking in terms of raw power, especially when compared against Snapdragon and Apple A chipsets.
In contrast, the Pixel 10 comes with the newer 3nm Tensor G5 chip. Slightly faster and slightly more efficient. Would you notice that in real life? We honestly doubt that anyone can tell the difference between the Tensor G5 and G4 during real usage.
Remember, you don't get a Pixel for the excess raw power and gaming prowess.
| Pixel 10a | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Chip Google Tensor G4 | Chip Google Tensor G5 |
| Process 4nm | Process 3nm |
| RAM, Storage 8/128 GB 8/256 GB | RAM, Storage 12/128 GB 12/256 GB |
The Pixel 10a comes with 8 GB of RAM and either 128 or 256 GB of onboard storage. The Pixel 10 is slightly better endowed with 12 GB of RAM, as well as the same 128 and 256 GB storage options.
Camera
Dual versus triple
With the Pixel 10a, we will get the same camera as the Pixel 9a: expect a 48 MP main and a 13 MP ultrawide, as well as a 13 MP front camera. Not a particularly exciting or versatile setup, but it should get the job done just fine.
In contrast, the Pixel 10 is a bit more exciting in terms of its camera selection. It actually ships with a proper 5X telephoto camera, which greatly improves its versatility.
The rest of the cameras are the same, so we can generally expect extremely similar image quality between the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 10, with the important distinction that the latter will be victorious once you start zooming in.
| Pixel 10a | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Main 48 MP, f/1.7 | Main 48 MP, f/1.7 |
| Ultrawide 13 MP, f/2.2 | Ultrawide 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| - | Telephoto 10.8 MP F3.1 5.0X optical zoom |
Battery Life and Charging
Pixel 10a supremacy?
The Pixel 10a is expected to come with the same 5,100 mAh battery as the Pixel 9a, which should give it a very slight edge over the 4,970 mAh battery that's inside the Pixel 10. However, the slightly better efficiency of the Tensor G5 should be enough to offset this difference.
Which phone will have the better battery life?
In our tests, the Pixel 9a proved to be more durable than the Pixel 10, so we definitely expect the Pixel 10a to reiterate that. We'll reserve our judgment for the final review, though.
| Pixel 10a | Pixel 10 |
|---|---|
| Battery size 5,100 mAh | Battery size 4,970 mAh |
Charging speeds 23 W wired 7.5 W wireless charging | Charging speeds 30 W wired 15 W wireless charging |
Specs Comparison
|
|
| Google Pixel 10a | Google Pixel 10 |
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| 152.8 x 72 x 8.6 mm | |
| Weight | |
| 204.0 g | |
| Size | |
|---|---|
| 6.3-inch | 6.3-inch |
| Type | |
| P-OLED, 120Hz | OLED, 120Hz |
| System chip | |
|---|---|
| Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) | Google Tensor G5 (3 nm) |
| Memory | |
| 8GB (LPDDR5X)/128GB (UFS 3.1) 8GB/256GB |
12GB (LPDDR5X)/128GB 12GB/256GB |
| Type | |
|---|---|
| 5100 mAh | 4970 mAh |
| Charge speed | |
| Wired: 23.0W Wireless: 7.5W |
Wired: 30.0W Wireless: 15.0W |
| Main camera | |
|---|---|
| 48 MP (OIS, PDAF) Aperture size: F1.7 Focal length: 25 mm Sensor size: 1/2" Pixel size: 0.8 μm | 48 MP (OIS, PDAF) Aperture size: F1.7 Focal length: 25 mm Sensor size: 1/2" Pixel size: 0.8 μm |
| Second camera | |
| 13 MP (Ultra-wide) Aperture size: F2.2 Sensor size: 1/3.1" Pixel size: 1.12 μm |
13 MP (Ultra-wide) Sensor size: 1/3.1" |
| Third camera | |
| 10.8 MP (Telephoto, OIS, PDAF) Optical zoom: 5.0x Aperture size: F3.1 Focal Length: 112 mm Sensor size: 1/3.2" |
|
| Front | |
| 13 MP | 10.5 MP |
See the full
Google Pixel 10a vs Google Pixel 10 specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
Summary
Overall, the Pixel 10a is looking to be a weird release, no matter how you look at it.
It's basically a Pixel 9a in a couple of new colors. Does that justify releasing a new device? Not at all, but this doesn't mean Google isn't doing just that anyway!
The Pixel 10, on the other hand, has evolved into an underrated flagship phone that boasts a ton of versatility and value in a compact body, combined with the usefulness of Google's AI suite.
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