Google loves a surprise drop. Just two days ago (Feb 18), Google officially launched the highly anticipated Pixel 10a globally. It is their latest entry into the “affordable flagship” market, priced at $499 (€549) for the 128GB model. However, the initial excitement has been met with a bit of a reality check from the tech community. Early leaks were entirely accurate: Google has cut some serious corners to keep the price down this year.
Here is our first-look review and why you might want to hold onto your cash for a few more months before buying it.
1. Pixel 10a The Brains: Stuck in the Past (Tensor G4)
This is the biggest point of contention. The mainline Pixel 10 series, released late last year, runs on the much faster, TSMC-built Tensor G5 chip.
- The Downgrade: The new Pixel 10a is powered by last year’s Tensor G4 processor.
- What It Means: While the G4 is completely fine for daily tasks, scrolling, and taking photos, it runs hotter and struggles with heavy gaming compared to the G5. You are essentially buying 2025 performance in a 2026 body.
2. Design & Build: IP68 and Flat Cameras
Visually, the 10a takes cues from both the 9a and the 10.
- The Look: Google has kept the “flat” camera housing design on the back. It comes in three primary colors: Blue, Grey, and Obsidian.
- The Upgrade: The best news is that the Pixel 10a is now officially IP68 certified for dust and water resistance, making it much more durable than previous ‘A’ series models. The screen is a very solid 6.3-inch 120Hz Actua display.
3. The Cameras: If It Ain’t Broke…
Google is relying heavily on its software magic rather than hardware upgrades this year.
- The Setup: The physical camera sensors are completely unchanged from last year’s model. You still get the reliable primary and ultrawide lenses, with no dedicated telephoto zoom.
- The Reality: Even with older hardware, this phone will still take better, more consistent photos than almost anything else in the $500 bracket, purely because of Google’s incredible post-processing algorithms.
Verdict: Is It a Trap?
The Pixel 10a is a good phone, but it is not a great deal right now. At $499, it is simply too close to the price of the standard Pixel 10, which frequently goes on sale and features the vastly superior Tensor G5 chip, better materials, and faster charging. Our Advice: Wait until the summer. The ‘A’ series always gets massive price cuts. If you can pick this up for $350-$399 in a few months, it becomes an absolute steal.
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