Google Pixel 10a: Price, specs, release date, and everything you need to know

Google's Pixel A-series has always been about affordability, delivering the Pixel experience in a less flashy package. Last year's Pixel 9a debuted a brand-new design that gave us a clue about what to expect from the Pixel 10 series, and Google essentially "perfected" it this time around with a truly flat camera lens and body.

The Pixel 10a is, more or less, an improved Pixel 9a at the same price. It features most of the same specs, including a Tensor G4 processor, but tweaks the design, uses a 100% recycled aluminum frame, upgrades the display and front glass, doubles wireless charging speed, adds SOS satellite calling for the first time in A-series history, and includes many of the more expensive Pixel 10's features like Auto Best Take and Camera Coach.

While it's not exactly the biggest upgrade we've seen in Pixel history, Google's moves here were very purposeful, ensuring it still retains the $499 price while remaining deeply competitive in performance and camera quality. Here's everything you need to know!

Google Pixel 10a: {rice, release date, and specs

The Google Pixel 10a starts at $499 and includes 128GB of storage, while a second model with 256GB of storage is also available. Preorders begin on February 18, and the phone ships out on March 5, 2026.

The Pixel 10a will be available on all major U.S. carriers, as well as the following countries: Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Google Pixel 10a: New features and upgrades

The Pixel 10a further simplifies the changes made with the Pixel 9a, now including a completely flat camera module. The Pixel 9a's module was slightly rounded and protruded a fraction of a millimeter, something Google "fixed" by making the phone 0.1mm thicker this year. It's also 2g lighter and ever-so-slightly shorter and narrower than the Pixel 9a.

Foremost among this year's feature additions is satellite SOS, which lets the Pixel 10a use satellite connectivity to reach emergency services when Wi-Fi or mobile networks are unavailable. That's a first for an A-series device and still remains an elusive feature on Android phones, aside from several Google Pixel models.

The front glass has been upgraded from Gorilla Glass 3 to Gorilla Glass 7i, boasting better drop and scratch resistance versus other Pixel A-series phones. The display behind the glass has also received a brightness boost, although Google doesn't seem to have ported over its sensitive eyes feature from the mainline Pixel 10.

The Pixel 10a didn't get a larger battery, but it will charge faster with 10W wireless charging and support for Google's 45W Pixel fast charger.

Lastly, you can expect great camera performance from the Pixel 10a, as it uses the same great camera sensors as the Pixel 9a with a few enhancements. Notably, that includes the addition of Auto Best Take and Camera Coach, two features that shipped with the Pixel 10 series.

Google Pixel 10a: Performance, software, and everything else

The Google Pixel 10a will feel identical to the Pixel 9a in many other ways, including performance and most major software features. The phone features the same Tensor G4 processor as the Pixel 9a and Pixel 9 series, making it the first Pixel A-series to receive a different Tensor processor from its namesake line. For comparison, the mainline Pixel 10 series ships with a Tensor G5 chipset.

Still, even with the same processor as the Pixel 9a, the Pixel 10a should run apps and games better than many phones in the $400-500 price segment. The Moto Edge 2025 is a great example, as it retails for more than the Pixel 10a, but ultimately offers a worse experience.

The biggest problem here is the lack of RAM, which will ultimately hold the Pixel 10a back from future AI-powered upgrades, as those features often require 12GB or more. While the Pixel 10a includes two big Pixel 10 AI-powered features we didn't expect — Auto Best Take and Camera Coach — we don't expect to see too many new AI features like that make their way to the phone in future software updates.

But Google has included all the same great software features on the Pixel 10a that Pixel users have come to know and love. Call Assist features like Hold for Me, Direct My Call, and Call Screening are all here, and Gemini-powered favorites like Circle to Search, Magic Compose, and Audio Magic Eraser are all included, as well.

The Pixel 10a ships with Android 16 and includes seven years of promised software updates. That means you'll not only see security updates through 2033, but we expect the Pixel 10a to see Android updates through Android 23. That's a huge value add for people looking to hold on to their phone for longer!

Lastly, we expect the Pixel 10a's camera to beat basically every other phone's at this price range. The camera isn't just packed with trademark Pixel quality, but it also features a proper macro focus mode via the ultrawide camera. That's a big upgrade on many phones in this price range, which often don't have macro capabilities or rely on terrible 2MP sensors for that function.

Google Pixel 10a: A focus on families

I know more than a few families who have chosen a Pixel A-series phone for their kids because of the affordable cost and long-term updates, and the Pixel 10a includes Google's overhauled Parental Controls feature introduced in Android 16.

This isn't a Pixel 10a-exclusive feature, but its inclusion on Google's most affordable Pixel makes this phone ideal for families looking to get their kids a very capable phone that also gives parents important safety controls.

This feature deeply integrates Google Family Link into the OS and adds digital ground rules, screen time limits, and content filtering for child safety. This includes blocking explicit sites, forcing Google SafeSearch, and more, making it an easy recommendation for families.