Google Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9: The new "a" series doesn't make a strong case so far
When a discounted flagship starts to make more sense than a new midranger.
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
Comparing a midrange Pixel “a” model with Google’s base flagship might seem a little odd, but this matchup makes a lot more sense with the Pixel 10a. That's because Google is said to launch the Pixel 10a unusually early this year, which could potentially overlap with discounted Pixel 9 prices, which would put the two phones in a similar price bracket.
Historically, Pixel “a” phones borrow heavily from the flagship Pixels they are based on. More than previous models, though, the Pixel 10a leaks so far have shaped it to be a very light refresh over the Pixel 9a. If that turns out to be true, then the 10a would be a hard phone to recommend over the Pixel 9, especially with refurbished or otherwise discounted units.
In this preliminary comparison, we’ll look at how close these two phones might end up in practice. We’ll explore expected differences in design, display quality, performance, cameras, and battery life to help you decide whether it’s better to spend your money on the Pixel 10a or go for the older flagship and buy a Pixel 9 instead.
Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9 expected differences:
| Pixel 10a* | Pixel 9 |
|---|---|
| Designed for value with plastic back and simpler build | Premium glass-and-metal build |
| Nearly identical overall performance for daily use | Slightly faster and more stable under heavy load |
| Nearly identical overall performance for daily use | Slightly faster and more stable under heavy load |
| Thicker bezels, simpler aesthetics | Slimmer bezels and more refined design |
| Same main camera philosophy, fewer premium extras | More versatile camera system with better ultra-wide |
| Much larger battery emphasis | Smaller battery but better charging support |
| $500 | $800 at launch ($450 refurbished) |
*rumored/expected
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
Value-focused vs premium materials
The Pixel 10a is expected to have an identical design to the Pixel 9a. Recently leaked CAD renders of the 10a suggest it will keep the flat plastic back and the flush dual-camera module, which means it will still be one of the few phones that can lie flat on a table.
The Pixel 9 uses more premium materials, including a glass back and an aluminum frame. The phone feels noticeably more premium when you hold it compared to the Pixel 9a, which should remain true when comparing it to the Pixel 10a. Unlike the "a" series, here the iconic camera bar that made Google's Pixel phones stand out is still present.
The Pixel 9 uses more premium materials, including a glass back and an aluminum frame. The phone feels noticeably more premium when you hold it compared to the Pixel 9a, which should remain true when comparing it to the Pixel 10a. Unlike the "a" series, here the iconic camera bar that made Google's Pixel phones stand out is still present.
| Pixel 10a* | Pixel 9 |
|---|---|
| Thickness 8.9 mm | Thickness 8.5 mm |
| Dimensions 154.7 x 73.3 mm | Dimensions 152.8 x 72 mm |
| Weight Around 186 grams | Weight 198 grams |
Size-wise, the Pixel 10a may end up slightly smaller overall, though some leaks suggest it could be marginally thicker. One would hope that extra thickness is related to Pixel Snap support, but there have been no leaks to suggest that's the case yet.
The display on the Pixel 9 is protected with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front—the latest in Gorilla's flagship series. The Pixel 10a is expected to use a plastic composite back with an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass 3, which is not as resistant to shatters and scratches. That said, the 10a should come with an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, just like the Pixel 9.
Display Differences
The 10a is expected to use 6.3-inch OLED panels with a 60–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, just like its predecessor. The difference with the Pixel 9 display is that its adaptive refresh rate is 1-120 Hz, making it more power efficient.
| Pixel 10a* | Pixel 9 |
|---|---|
| Size 6.3" | Size 6.3" |
| Brightness 2700 nits (peak) | Brightness 2700 nits (peak) |
*rumored/expected
The Pixel 9’s display is already known for excellent brightness and color accuracy, with peak brightness rated at up to 2,700 nits. This is a major strength with Google Pixel phones, which the budget "a" series also shares. The Pixel 9a had the same 2,700 nits of peak brightness and great color accuracy, so there's no reason to expect otherwise with the 10a.
The one small benefit of the Pixel 9's display is that it has slimmer bezels.
Biometrics should be similar on both too, with an optical in-display fingerprint scanner and secure face unlock powered by Google’s AI models.
Performance and Software
Mixed signals = unclear expectations
This is where things get a little interesting and controversial. The Pixel 9 runs on Google’s Tensor G4, while current leaks suggest the Pixel 10a may use a “boosted” version of the same Tensor G4 rather than the newer Tensor G5 found in the Pixel 10 series.
If that ends up being true, performance between the two phones likely won't be too different. The Pixel 9 may hold a small advantage in prolonged stress thanks to better thermal management and more internal space, while the 9a might have stronger bursts, but the overall experience should feel nearly identical.
If that ends up being true, performance between the two phones likely won't be too different. The Pixel 9 may hold a small advantage in prolonged stress thanks to better thermal management and more internal space, while the 9a might have stronger bursts, but the overall experience should feel nearly identical.
That said, it is not clear where the rumor that the Pixel 9a will keep the Tensor G4 chip came from. There is some logic behind it, though—sticking with the Tensor G4 would help Google keep the competitive price of its budget "a" series with the Pixel 10a in a moment when the market is said to see widespread price hikes.
The other possibility, of course, is that we see a slightly more expensive (or the same price) Pixel 10a, powered by the Tensor G5.
| Pixel 10a* | Pixel 9 |
|---|---|
| Chip Google Tensor G4 or G5 | Chip Google Tensor G4 |
| Process 4 nm/3 nm | Process 4 nm |
| RAM, Storage 8/128 GB 8/256GB LPDDR5X RAM UFS 3.1 storage | RAM, Storage 12/128GB 12/256GB LPDDR5X RAM UFS 3.1 storage |
The Pixel 10a is expected to launch with Android 16 and receive seven years of updates, while the Pixel 9 is already in the second year of its seven-year cycle. AI features will likely overlap, though the Pixel 9’s extra RAM allows it to run on-device AI features faster, as well as a more capable version of Gemini Nano.
Camera
Pixel 10a might not have any camera upgrades
The Pixel 10a is expected to keep the same camera hardware as the Pixel 9a, featuring a wide main camera and an ultrawide one. The Pixel 9 also uses a dual-camera setup with a wide and ultrawide shooter.
The 10a should reuse the 48 MP main and 13 MP ultrawide from the 9a, which performed well thanks to Google’s processing. The Pixel 9, however, uses more advanced 50 MP and 48 MP sensors with wider apertures, delivering better detail, especially in low light.
The 10a should reuse the 48 MP main and 13 MP ultrawide from the 9a, which performed well thanks to Google’s processing. The Pixel 9, however, uses more advanced 50 MP and 48 MP sensors with wider apertures, delivering better detail, especially in low light.
| Pixel 10a* | Pixel 9 |
|---|---|
| Main 48 MP, f/1.7 25 mm 1/2.0" sensor size | Main 50 MP, f/1.7 24 mm 1/1.31" sensor size |
| Ultrawide 13 MP, f/2.2 120° FOV 1/3.1" sensor size | Ultrawide 48 MP, f/1.7 123° FOV 1/2.55" sensor size |
Despite the hardware gap, I don’t expect a dramatic difference in photo quality. Our Pixel 9 vs Pixel 9a comparison showed that while the flagship was clearly better, the “a” series still held its own, especially in good lighting.
Video is a different story, though. The Pixel 9 should deliver visibly better video quality than the Pixel 10a, where the limitations of the "a" series' cheaper image sensors are more likely to show.
Video is a different story, though. The Pixel 9 should deliver visibly better video quality than the Pixel 10a, where the limitations of the "a" series' cheaper image sensors are more likely to show.
Battery Life and Charging
Pixel 10a will likely have better battery life and maybe support PixelSnap
Battery life is likely to be where the Pixel 10a shines, just like it is for the Pixel 9a. Leaks and certifications point to a 5,100 mAh battery (same as the current model), which is significantly larger than the Pixel 9’s 4,700 mAh one.
Here, it really depends on which route Google takes with the chipset. If we get a boosted version of the Tensor G4, it might negatively affect the battery life of the Pixel 10a. Conversely, if Google includes the Tensor G5 with the Pixel 10a, we might see even better battery life than the 9a, which was already outstanding for its class.
Here, it really depends on which route Google takes with the chipset. If we get a boosted version of the Tensor G4, it might negatively affect the battery life of the Pixel 10a. Conversely, if Google includes the Tensor G5 with the Pixel 10a, we might see even better battery life than the 9a, which was already outstanding for its class.
| Pixel 10a* | Pixel 9 |
|---|---|
| Battery size 5,100 mAh | Battery size 4,700 mAh |
Charging speeds 23W wired 7.5W wireless charging USB-C 3.2 | Charging speeds 27W wired 15W wireless charging USB-C 3.2 |
The Pixel 9 will almost certainly charge faster, both wirelessly at 15 W and via cable at 27 W, so it should have a clear advantage over the Pixel 10a.
One potential upside for the 10a is PixelSnap support. It wouldn’t boost charging speeds, which are expected to stay at 7.5 W wireless and 15 W wired, but it would enable magnetic accessories from Google and third-party manufacturers.
One potential upside for the 10a is PixelSnap support. It wouldn’t boost charging speeds, which are expected to stay at 7.5 W wireless and 15 W wired, but it would enable magnetic accessories from Google and third-party manufacturers.
Specs Comparison
|
|
| Google Pixel 10a | Google Pixel 9 |
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm (~12 mm with camera bump) | |
| Weight | |
| 198.0 g | |
| Size | |
|---|---|
| 6.3-inch | 6.3-inch |
| Type | |
| P-OLED, 120Hz | OLED, 120Hz |
| System chip | |
|---|---|
| Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) | Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) |
| Memory | |
| 8GB (LPDDR5X)/128GB (UFS 3.1) 8GB/256GB |
12GB (LPDDR5X)/128GB 12GB/256GB |
| Type | |
|---|---|
| 5100 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charge speed | |
| Wired: 23.0W Wireless: 7.5W |
Wired: 27.0W 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 |
50 MP Sensor name: Samsung GNK Aperture size: F1.7 Focal length: 25 mm Sensor size: 1/1.31" Pixel size: 1.12 μm |
| Second camera | |
| 13 MP (Ultra-wide) Aperture size: F2.2 Sensor size: 1/3.1" Pixel size: 1.12 μm |
48 MP (Ultra-wide) Sensor name: Sony IMX858 Aperture size: F1.7 Sensor size: 1/2.55" |
| Front | |
| 13 MP | 10.5 MP |
See the full
Google Pixel 10a vs Google Pixel 9 specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
Summary
Based on the leaks so far, the Pixel 10a looks more like a rebranded Pixel 9a than a true upgrade. PixelSnap support and a new chipset are the only meaningful changes I see, and those alone may not be enough to justify choosing it over the Pixel 9.
Like previous “a” models, the Pixel 10a should still offer excellent battery life and the full Pixel software experience at a lower price. That makes it a strong mid-range option, but refurbished Pixel 9 units can already be found for around $450 in excellent condition. Heck, Google is currently running a $150 discount on the Pixel 10, dropping its price to just $650!
If longer software support, strong battery life, (potentially) better performance, or magnetic accessories matter to you, the Pixel 10a could make sense. Otherwise, a refurbished Pixel 9 still feels like the better value and the smarter buy.
Like previous “a” models, the Pixel 10a should still offer excellent battery life and the full Pixel software experience at a lower price. That makes it a strong mid-range option, but refurbished Pixel 9 units can already be found for around $450 in excellent condition. Heck, Google is currently running a $150 discount on the Pixel 10, dropping its price to just $650!
If longer software support, strong battery life, (potentially) better performance, or magnetic accessories matter to you, the Pixel 10a could make sense. Otherwise, a refurbished Pixel 9 still feels like the better value and the smarter buy.
Follow us on Google News
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: