We not often come throughout two telephones which are so comparable. The newly launched Google Pixel 10a is unapologetically kind of the identical cellphone as its predecessor, the Pixel 9a.
This leaves these searching for an inexpensive Pixel this yr in a quandary. Must you go for the newer mannequin, or must you simply avoid wasting cash and get final yr’s. And what even are a few of these minor variations that separate the 2? Properly, let’s discover out.
Desk of Contents:
For starters, you possibly can examine the whole specs sheets or immediately proceed with our editor’s evaluation within the following textual content.
Dimension comparability
The 2 Pixels are almost similar in dimensions. The newer Pixel 10a is barely narrower and shorter as a consequence of a discount within the thickness of the aluminum body. This leads to a slight general discount within the thickness of the bezels across the show, however you would be hard-pressed to note the distinction.
The brand new Pixel 10a can also be barely thicker. By doing so, Google has eradicated the tiny digicam bump current on the Pixel 9a, leading to a very flush again panel for what that is value.
Each telephones weigh about the identical, and there is not any actual noticeable distinction within the hand really feel.
Aesthetically, as nicely, there is not a lot distinction between the 2, and they’d have been tough to inform other than a distance had it not been for the up to date colours.
Show comparability
Each telephones have similar show {hardware}. Google claims that the Pixel 10a show can get 200-300 nits brighter, and this was noticed throughout our testing as nicely. Nevertheless, the distinction is comparatively small and tough to understand at these values.
An essential improve on the Pixel 10a is the change on each the back and front to the a lot newer and sturdier Corning Gorilla Glass 7i from the Gorilla Glass 3 used on the 9a. This could make the glass far more sturdy in opposition to drops and scratches.
Battery life
The Pixel 10a and the Pixel 9a use the very same battery, which is a 5100mAh Li-ion unit. On paper, the Pixel 10a ought to present the identical battery life as its predecessor, however because of a brand new modem and a few doable enhancements in software program, it really supplied significantly better outcomes. It is doable the Pixel 9a has improved since our final check as a result of software program updates it acquired over thepasta yea,r, however we could not retest it for this comparability, so we’re utilizing the numbers we bought once we reviewed it initially.
Charging velocity
The Pixel 10a helps as much as 30W quick wired and as much as 10W wi-fi charging, up from 23W and seven.5W on the Pixel 9a.
In our testing, the Pixel 10a solely confirmed a minor enchancment in charging speeds, within the vary of 4-5% at any given level. As such, it stays a sluggish charging cellphone in comparison with most different Android telephones available on the market right now however objectively, the newer mannequin is barely quicker.
Speaker check
Each the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 9a have a set of stereo audio system. The 2 telephones have totally different tunings, with the newer Pixel 10a sounding extra balanced, with a richer bass response, however the 9a sounds a bit clearer and louder as compared. Whereas this may be subjective, the Pixel 10a does sound higher general in a direct comparability.
Efficiency
The Pixel 10a runs on the identical Tensor G4 chipset because the 2025 Pixel 9a, which itself inherited the chip from the 2024 Pixel 9 lineup. Contemplating the truth that the efficiency of this chip wasn’t thrilling even again in 2024, it feels particularly underwhelming in 2026. There at the moment are vastly cheaper telephones that may run circles round these telephones by way of efficiency, and it is actually not even shut. Had Google at the very least chosen to incorporate the Tensor G5 on the 10a, then we could have had a special dialog.
It needs to be mentioned that neither of those telephones is sluggish or unusable by any means, however understanding you are able to do so much higher whereas spending much less does them no favors. No less than within the 9a’s case, there may be the justification of it being a yr previous, and it is fully frequent for the A-series Pixels to get the chip from the earlier yr’s dearer fashions. Nevertheless, the 10a has no such excuse to fall again on, and the dearth of any main efficiency enchancment stays its greatest offense.
Benchmark efficiency
As you possibly can imaging, each the Pixel telephones are virtually similar by way of their efficiency. Any variations observed listed here are extra seemingly all the way down to run to run variances between the checks ran on the 10a not too long ago and on the 9a final yr and software program model variations, than any precise change of their efficiency. You actually are getting the identical fundamental efficiency a second time in a row, and it wasn’t enthralling to start with.
Digital camera comparability
Persevering with the listing of commonalities is the digicam {hardware}. Each telephones pack the very same set of 48MP principal, 13MP ultra-wide, and 13MP entrance cameras, with the variations largely being within the software program. The Pixel 10a has a handful of extras, together with Digital camera Coach, Auto Greatest Take, and the flexibility to avoid wasting photographs in Show P3 shade house, however none of those make a significant distinction.
Picture high quality
Due to the sharing of the {hardware}, the digicam comparability is simple. The 2 telephones are, as soon as once more, functionally similar.
Beginning with the principle digicam, each produce respectable outcomes, with the identical acquainted Pixel look to each of them. The colours and white steadiness are normally correct, there’s a affordable quantity of element, and dynamic vary is sweet. The pictures look their greatest on the cellphone screens, as you get to learn from the Extremely HDR characteristic of their screens.
Most important digicam: Pixel 10a • Pixel 9a
The 2x mode additionally produces respectable outcomes more often than not on each telephones, and each additionally are inclined to miss white steadiness at instances.
Most important digicam 2x digital zoom: Pixel 10a • Pixel 9a
Lastly, the ultra-wide digicam produces usable, if underwhelming, outcomes on each telephones.
Extremely-wide digicam: Pixel 10a • Pixel 9a
Verdict
Attempting to choose between the Google Pixel 10a and the Pixel 9a appears like splitting hairs more often than not. The newer cellphone has some benefits within the type of higher battery life, barely brighter show, barely higher sounding audio system, barely quicker charging, and sturdier show glass, however they usually do not quantity to a lot in on a regular basis utilization. The draw back of being largely the identical cellphone means the Pixel 10a additionally inherits the 9a’s flaws within the type of bloated bezels, sluggish charging, and efficiency that’s now completely outclassed by newer and cheaper competitors.
Nonetheless, we’re not speaking about different telephones right now. Evaluating strictly between these two, the Pixel 10a is objectively higher, but additionally prices $100 extra. Finally, that worth distinction would go away and so would the Pixel 9a, making the selection infinitely easier. However in the event you should choose right now, then the cheaper Pixel 9a comes throughout because the extra good choice.
- Stronger show glass
- Higher battery life
- Barely quicker charging
- Higher sounding audio system
- Barely brighter show
- One further yr of software program updates
Get the Google Pixel 10a for:
- Largely the identical cellphone as the ten however $100 cheaper
Get the Google Pixel 9a for:
