The Pixel 10a is official, and it's one of Google's smallest upgrades yet

What you need to know

• Google has launched the Pixel 10a with a familiar design and only minor hardware changes over the Pixel 9a.
• The phone keeps the same display and cameras but adds Gorilla Glass 7i and a slightly refined build.
• It runs Tensor G4 instead of Tensor G5 but still brings some Pixel 10 AI features and seven years of updates.
• The Pixel 10a starts at $499 and is available to pre-order right now, on sale from March 5, 2026.

Google has officially taken the wraps off the Pixel 10a on February 18, 2026. If that feels quick compared to the Pixel 9a series, you're not wrong, especially since it hasn't even been a full year — and the upgrades here aren't exactly extensive.

On the surface, the Pixel 10a looks eerily similar to the Pixel 9a, and that's because it largely is. The phone carries forward the same minimal back design with a capsule-like camera module. One small change is that the Pixel 10a is 0.1 mm thicker, which allows the camera to sit completely flush. It's also about 3 grams lighter.

Google also proudly says this is the A-series phone made with the most recycled material yet. Durability-wise, it retains the same IP68 dust and water resistance rating as last year's model.

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Up front, not much has changed either. It features the same 6.3-inch pOLED display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate and fairly chunky bezels. Display protection has been upgraded, though, as Google now includes improved Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. The camera hardware remains unchanged as well, meaning you still get a 48MP main sensor paired with a 13MP ultra-wide camera.

Tensor G4 again, for better or worse

Under the hood, the Pixel 10a is powered by the Tensor G4 chipset, which is notable since previous A-series phones typically used the same chip as the base flagship. Meanwhile, the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup uses Tensor G5.

That said, it still borrows some AI features from the Pixel 10 series. These include Camera Coach, which uses Gemini to analyze scenes and offer suggestions, along with Auto Best Take. Other AI features like Add Me and conversational editing in Google Photos are also included.

The Pixel 10a ships with Android 16 and Material 3 Expressive out of the box and will receive seven years of OS updates, matching other models in the Pixel 10 lineup. Notably, the Pixel 10a also comes with AirDrop to Quick Share support. The feature was recently expanded to the Pixel 9 series, but the Pixel 9a missed out (for now).

There are a few other additions as well, including support for satellite SOS, a first for an A-series Pixel. This allows users to connect to emergency services when mobile networks or Wi-Fi are unavailable.

Battery capacity remains at 5,100 mAh, and wired charging stays at 23W. However, wireless charging sees a modest improvement, increasing to 10W from 5W on the Pixel 9a.

Pricing and new Pixel Buds 2a colors

The Pixel 10a starts at $499/€549/₹49,999 and still offers only 128GB of storage on the base model. It comes in four colors: Lavender (purple-blue), Berry (red-pink), Fog (light green), and Obsidian (black). Alongside the phone, Google has also introduced two new Pixel Buds 2a colors, Berry and Fog, to match the Pixel 10a palette.

Pre-orders are open now for both Pixel 10a and Pixel Buds 2a in new colors, with general availability expected around March 5, 2026.

Android Central's Take

This might be one of Google's least exciting upgrades in recent years. On paper, the Pixel 10a doesn't seem significantly different from the Pixel 9a because, in many ways, it isn't.

I would've liked to see a jump to the Tensor G5 and perhaps some camera improvements, but Google seems to have played it safe this time. That said, a proper hands-on experience might still change that impression.