Google's upcoming midrange smartphone has the potential to stand alone as the best cheap Android phone on the market in 2026.
Android Central editor Harish Jonnalagadda described Samsung's Galaxy A56 as "the worst mid-range phone" he used last year, and called the OnePlus 15R effectively dead on arrival due to downgrades and a price hike. With two leading brands in the midrange space letting us down, the door is wide open for Google to wow us with the soon-to-be-released Pixel 10a.
In other words, if you're in the market for a budget Pixel, you've got more options than you probably know what to do with. These are the cases for buying a Pixel now, holding out for the Pixel 10a — and what I'd do with my own money.
The case for buying the Google Pixel 9a now
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Past A-series Pixels felt too close to mainline models to carve out a clear market position. I found myself recommending the discounted base models to prospective buyers far too often instead of the A-series options. The Google Pixel 9a flipped the script. It may not be for everyone, but we now know exactly who this model is for.
The Google Pixel 9a introduced a complete redesign with a thick, 8.9mm boxy build. The camera system was revamped to include a 48MP main sensor and a 13MP ultrawide, and more importantly, flatten the camera bump. The raised glass camera cover is basically nonexistent, making the Pixel 9a sit comfortably on flat surfaces and feel great in the hand.
A 5,100mAh battery — a record for an A-series Pixel, by a long shot — further cements the phone's positioning as a practical device. One that's built for someone who cares about functionality and the basics, not the latest specs or a premium design.
The case for buying the Pixel 9a now is that those factors still apply. The design is still extremely appealing to those who just want a reliable phone without camera bumps and fancy features. The seven-year Android OS upgrade support ensures the Pixel 9a won't be outdated in a few years. Moreover, the Tensor G4 chip is capable enough, and support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 will handle wireless connectivity just fine.
For those who are worried about the camera changes, there's no need to fret. We tested the Google Pixel 9a's cameras against the Pixel 8a and Pixel 7a, and found the new model performs consistently better thanks to improved color science and computational photography.
The two pain points are the phone's memory and storage. The Google Pixel 9a only has 8GB of memory and either 128GB or 256GB of slower UFS 3.1 storage. Unlike other budget phones, like the Moto G 2026 series, the Pixel 9a does not have expandable storage. The amount you buy is the amount you're stuck with, so choose wisely.
The reason these factors aren't a dealbreaker is that current rumors point to Google keeping these specs identical for the Pixel 10a. If that turns out to be true, the limitations will still be present on the new model in a few months.
The case for waiting for the Google Pixel 10a
We've heard a bit about the Google Pixel 10a from rumors and leaks, and it's not great news for those hoping for Pixel 9a upgrades. The alleged specs include the same rear camera setup, the same RAM and storage configuration, and the same battery capacity. In fact, Google could go as far as use the exact same Tensor G4 processor on the newer model.
One reason to wait for the Pixel 10a, anyway, is the hope that Google will make a surprise change. Leaks and rumors don't always get it right, and it would be disappointing to buy a Pixel 9a now if the successor turns out to be great. It seems hard to believe Google would release a Pixel 10a effectively identical to the Pixel 9a, even if prices remain the same. I'd assume that Google has to change something to keep the Pixel 10a fresh, but who knows.
The other benefit of waiting for the Pixel 10a is a longer software support window. The Google Pixel 9a is almost a year old, so it'll have about six years of Android OS upgrades left if you buy it soon. The Pixel 10a will likely keep the same seven-year total Android OS upgrade window, but it'll be brand new, so early adopters will get the entire thing. The new model could launch with Android 16 or Android 17, depending on the phone's release timing.
Speaking of that, current rumors point to the Google Pixel 10a debuting sometime in February or March, which is a bit ahead of schedule. That also means you won't have to wait as long to see what the new model will offer. As a general rule, I recommend that if you're within a few weeks of an expected launch window, it can't hurt to hold out and see if there are major upgrades.
How I'd spend my money
Personally, I'm concerned that the Pixel 10a will be a disappointing incremental upgrade. I've identified low memory as a problem for the Pixel 9a, as it's already causing the phone to miss out on key features. If the Pixel 10a keeps things the same, the number of missed features compared to the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series will continue to mount.
That's why if I were in the market for a midrange Pixel, I'd assuredly buy the Google Pixel 9 for $500. It's available for the same price as the would-be Pixel 10a, has the same chip as the Pixel 9a, and offers 50% more RAM. The main camera sensor is better, too.
There's still about five years of Android OS upgrades left for that device, so it won't become obsolete anytime soon. In fact, the 12GB of RAM might mean the Pixel 9 holds up better than the Pixel 9a or Pixel 10a, despite being older.
If you're on the fence, wait. The prices for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9a can only go down or stay the same following the Pixel 10a's release.
The latest, for now
The Google Pixel 9a was a step in the right direction for Google's budget line. It narrowed a focus of practicality with a uniform design and large battery capacity. However, there are some hardware limitations that might make the Pixel 10a worth waiting for.
