Mobile Phone Reviews

The Google Pixel 10a uses more recycled material than any previous Pixel a phone. Alas, this also extends to the specs since it’s mostly the same device as the Pixel 9a. We’ll get to that in a second, first let’s look at 10a’s green credentials. It’s the first in the a-series to use recycled cobalt, copper, gold and tungsten (at least 36% by weight). Its aluminum frame uses 100% recycled material and the packaging is 100% plastic-free.

The Pixel 10a is powered by the same Tensor G4 chipset as the 9a and the other Pixel 9-series models. The chip comes from Samsung’s 4nm foundry. RAM capacity remains unchanged at 8GB and so does storage – you can pick between 128GB and 256GB. In short, performance will be exactly the same as last year.

The new model launches with Android 16 out of the box and will receive software updates for 7 years. This includes Pixel Drops, which often bring innovative new features. The 10a will heavily rely on software features, including things like the Gemini assistant and Gemini Live (voice control instead of typing) to stand out from mid-rangers from other brands.

The 10a is rated IP68 for dust and water resistance like before. It does upgrade to a new screen glass – Gorilla Glass 7i (replacing GG3). The glass can survive falls from 1m/3.3ft and is more scratch-resistant than before. The back is made of plastic (81% recycled). The display itself is a 6.3” Actua panel like before with slightly higher peak brightness of 3,000 nits (up from 2,700 nits).

Google Pixel 10a

Google has reworked the internal design to make the Pixel 10a easier to repair. Externally, it very much resembles the 9a with an almost flush camera island, which, to be fair, is a pretty rare design these days.

The cameras themselves haven’t changed either – there’s a 48MP main and a 13MP ultra-wide. Google is betting on features like Camera Coach (using Gemini to give you photography tips), Auto Best Take (for group shots) and Add Me (blending photos of a group and you together) to elevate it above an average mid-range camera.

You might have been hoping for Pixelsnap compatibility on the 10a like on the other 10-series models, but no joy on that one. Google has designed a new protective Pixel 10a Case (36% recycled plastic) that is color-matched to the phone. Neither the phone nor the case has any magnets built in.

The phone has the same capacity battery, 5,100mAh, which is enough for 30 hours of regular use on a single charge, according to Google. For what it’s worth, the 9a got an Active Use Score of 12:42h in our testing (with the same chipset and battery).

One upgrade worth mentioning is the faster 30W wired charging – this is up from 23W on last year’s model. Wireless charging is technically faster too – it now does 10W (up from 7.5W).

Google Pixel 10a colors: Fog, Obsidian, Berry and Lavender

Going back to colors, the Pixel 10a is available in four colors: Fog, Obsidian, Berry and Lavender. Fog (light green) replaces Porcelain, but the color selection is otherwise hard to distinguish from that of the 9a (Berry and Lavender are slightly different from Peony and Iris, but you have to see them side by side to notice).

Google Pixel 10a pre-orders in India start today at a price of ₹50,000 for the base 8/128GB model (same price as the 9a last year). The phone will be available from March 6. Note that launch offers include 24-month no-cost EMI, a ₹3,000 exchange bonus and ₹3,000 cashback on select HDFC Bank Cards. In the US, the Pixel 10a is $500 (+$100 if you want 256GB storage). Tue UK price is £500 (+£100), while in Europe you are looking at €550 (+€100 for the storage upgrade).