The Google Pixel 10a arrives with 3 notable upgrades over the Pixel 9a

After teasing the Pixel 10a a few weeks in the past, Google has now formally unveiled every thing there’s to find out about its newest mid-range telephone.

For starters, in case you’re wanting on the Pixel 10a within the picture above and struggling to inform it other than the Pixel 9a, you are not alone. On the floor, the 2 look practically similar, and the Pixel 10a intently mirrors the Pixel 9a in general design and {hardware}. That mentioned, there are a couple of key variations between the Pixel 10a and 9a which can be price stating.

Earlier than we dive into these adjustments, here is the fundamentals: the Pixel 10a begins at $499 USD ($679 CAD) and is available for pre-order now, forward of its March 5 launch. Notably, it retains the identical $499 beginning value as its predecessor and is available in 4 colours: Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian.

The Pixel 10a is offered in each 128GB and 256GB storage sizes, and is powered by the Tensor G4 chipset, 8GB of RAM, and a 5,100mAh battery, the very same internals because the Pixel 9a.

Now, that brings us again to what’s really completely different, and there are three predominant areas the place the Pixel 10a stands other than final yr’s Pixel 9a.

The Pixel 10a’s show is brighter and extra sturdy

The bezels look the identical

Credit score: Google

The Pixel 10a includes a 6.3-inch Actua pOLED show with a 120Hz adaptive refresh charge — the identical because the Pixel 9a. The place issues begin to differ, although, is brightness and sturdiness.

The Pixel 10a can hit as much as 2,000 nits of HDR brightness, with a peak brightness of three,000 nits. That is 11 p.c brighter than the Pixel 9a, which topped out at 1,800 nits in HDR and a pair of,700 nits of peak brightness. It isn’t a major leap, however it ought to make the Pixel 10a simpler to see in shiny situations.

Then there’s sturdiness. The Pixel 10a’s display screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which provides improved scratch and drop resistance over the Pixel 9a’s older Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

A flush digicam bar

The Pixel 10a will not wobble on a desk

Credit score: Google

The Pixel 10a retains the identical twin rear digicam setup because the Pixel 9a: a 48-megapixel huge lens paired with a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens. Whereas the {hardware} is unchanged, the design tells a special story.

When the Pixel 9a was unveiled final yr, the important thing visible change was the removing of the digicam bar utilized by the Pixel 8a and, notably, by Google’s flagship Pixel telephones. As a substitute was a smaller digicam cutout with a bump on the again.

This yr, that cutout stays on the Pixel 10a, however now it is utterly flush with the again of the telephone, that means there is not any bump in any respect. Meaning once you set the Pixel 10a down on a desk, it lies completely flat with none wobble. Admittedly, it does not considerably change day-to-day use, however I recognize the cleaner look, and it feels extra cohesive with the general minimalistic design of the telephone.

Moreover, there is a software program distinction on the digicam facet: the Pixel 10a helps Auto Finest Take and Digicam Coach — two photograph options the Pixel 9a does not have.

Sooner wired charging

Nonetheless no Qi2 wi-fi charging help although

Credit score: Google

The ultimate key distinction between the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 9a is charging, particularly sooner wired speeds on the Pixel 10a.

The Pixel 10a helps as much as 30W wired charging when paired with a 45W wall adapter, whereas the Pixel 9a tops out at 23W underneath the identical situations.

Once more, that is not an enormous leap, however Google says the Pixel 10a can cost to 50 p.c in about half-hour, which is roughly in step with the Pixel 9a. So, whereas the wired charging numbers technically differ, the real-world affect might not be that noticeable.

In whole, Google says the Pixel 10a’s battery can final greater than 30 hours and as much as 120 hours with Excessive Battery Saver mode enabled.

The Pixel 10a could also be well worth the improve

When you have an older Pixel telephone, the Pixel 10a provides a variety of worth

Credit score: Google

General, the Pixel 10a is extraordinarily much like the Pixel 9a, and whereas there are a couple of variations between the show, digicam design, and the charging pace, it could’ve been good to see Google improve the telephone extra this yr, akin to outfitting it with the identical Tensor G5 chipset because the Pixel 10.

In my opinion, you probably have a Pixel 9a, there is not any purpose in any respect to improve to the Pixel 10a. However in case you’re utilizing an older Pixel A-series telephone, such because the 6a, 7a, or 8a, the Pixel 10a provides robust worth, and it is good that, regardless of the continuing memory and storage shortage, Google has saved the worth at $499.

The Pixel 10a is offered for pre-order now and launches on March 5. Keep tuned as I am going to have a evaluation of the telephone on Pocket-lint within the coming weeks.