This year's Google Pixel 10a features the same Tensor G4 chipset as last year's Pixel 9a, with the same initial 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. However, priced at RM2299, it is RM400 less than the Pixel 9a, which was released at RM2699 in Malaysia. Is it just an incremental upgrade, or does it offer more than just that? Find out in our full review of the Google Pixel 10a below.
Design - Completely flat backside
In terms of design, the Google Pixel 10a shares nearly identical looks with the Pixel 9a with its flat sides, rounded corners and flat back. The only physical difference appears to be the camera hump, which is completely flush or flat against the back.
The Google Pixel 10a has a slightly brighter (up to 3000 nits brightness) 6.3-inch Actua display
The back is now completely flat and uses recycled plastic
The rear camera hump is now completely flat, while the chassis is tough aluminium
The body remains an aluminium chassis with a flat matte composite plastic backside, which Google says is made from more recycled plastic than any other A-series Pixel. This isn't entirely a bad thing, though, as the Pixel 10a is about 3g lighter with a still somewhat premium feel to it.
The phone is slightly taller and thicker, though, enough that you can't use the Pixel 9a's casing on the Pixel 10a. Thankfully, once you put on the Pixel 10a's designated casing, it remains fairly sleek, perhaps due to the completely flat backside.
On the bottom are the speaker vents and a USB Type-C port
On the side is a power button and the volume rocker
On the other side is the SIM tray
The casing is made of silicone
Thanks to the flat cameras, the casing does not make the Pixel 10a look thick
Because of this flat back, the Pixel 10a lies completely flat with no wobble due to camera humps. However, Google has still managed to retain a 48MP wide and 13MP ultra-wide (with OIS) dual camera on the back, along with an LED flash. Our review unit came in Fog, which is an off-white, almost pale green colour. It also comes in Berry (red), Lavender (a bluish purple), and Obsidian (black).
On the right side, there's the usual power button and volume rocker, while on the bottom, there's a USB Type-C port and the speaker vents. On the right side, there's the SIM card tray, while on the front of the 6.3-inch Actua display is a punch hole for the 13MP ultra-wide front camera. Overall, the Pixel 10a looks and feels premium with solid build quality, despite its midrange price tag.
Tech specs and Features - Incremental upgrades?
Here are the tech specs and features for the Pixel 10a:
- Google Tensor G4 with Titan M2 security coprocessor
- 8GB RAM with 128GB or 256GB storage options
- 6.3-inch Actua display, 60-120Hz variable refresh rate, 3000 nits peak brightness
- 48MP Main (f/1.7) + 13MP Ultrawide (120° FoV) dual rear camera, 13MP selfie camera (96.1° ultrawide FoV)
- 5100mAh battery (30W Fast Wired Charging, 10W Wireless Charging)
- Features: Camera Coach, 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates, Satellite SOS
- Measurements: 153.9 mm x 73 mm x 9 mm | 183g
- Supports: 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6
- Android 16
- Available in Berry, Fog, Lavender and Obsidian
What else is inside the Pixel 10a box?
While the Pixel 10a's display size is the same 6.3 inches, it offers up to 3000 nits peak brightness and a layer of Gorilla Glass 7i for better scratch resistance. Other seemingly incremental upgrades include 30W Fast Wired Charging. However, it does have the new Camera Coach and Satellite SOS features, which were not on the Pixel 9a, along with Gemini Live.
The Pixel Studio app is now missing, perhaps because Gemini can already perform text prompting and photo editing with Nano Banana 2. Thanks to recent updates, it can also make music with Lyria 3 and videos with Veo 3.1. As before, you can check all the features on the My Pixel app, but storage is rather limited with the 128GB variant.
Android 16 on the Google Pixel 10a is stock Android with no bloatware at all
You can see the latest features of the Google Pixel 10a on the My Pixel app
This time around, the interface on the Pixel 10a is as stock Android as possible (doesn't even have Fitbit). Scrolling and menus are smooth and colourful with plenty of options to customise. As before, the Pixel 10a offers up to 7 years of updates, along with other Pixel Drop features such as AirDrop to iPhones. But it does not support PixelSnap, so no magnetic accessories for this phone.
With no periscope camera, the Pixel 10a only offers up to 2x optical zoom and 8x digital zoom. But it does deliver handheld Long Exposure photography, Night Sight for low-light and Add Me, which allows you to include the photographer in a group shot.
The camera interface for the Pixel 10a
You can edit images and create new ones using the Gemini app now
You can now "Reimagine" an image
Camera Coach can suggest and guide you through taking a shot
Just connect the Google Pixel 10a to a monitor and you can access Desktop mode
Magic Editor is still around with Magic Eraser and other AI-assisted image editing functions via the Photos app. This finally includes Reimagine, which lets you add edits via a prompt. It doesn't seem able to handle complex prompts yet, but you can make pretty cool changes or additions with just a few words most of the time.
Aside from these features, the Pixel 10a is also one of the first Pixels to support a stable Desktop Mode. When you attach the phone to a monitor via an HDMI cable (we used a USB Type-C hub), the option to use Desktop Mode pops up. Previously only available in developer mode, it basically lets you turn the Pixel 10a into a desktop, complete with resizable windows and more.
Performance - Surprisingly capable
Despite using last year's Tensor G4 chipset, the Pixel 10a handles games like Genshin Impact quite smoothly. Action is fast and lag-free, even on medium settings. Other benchmarks on 3DMark and GeekBench show a mix of results with good performance in 3D, but rather average scores for processing.
Geekbench 6 scores for the Pixel 10a are midrange at best
3DMark scores for the Pixel 10a are surprisingly good
The Pixel 10a easily handles Asphalt Legends
Thankfully, the phone does not get excessively hot, and it handles other games like Asphalt Legends with ease. Battery life is about 1 day and a bit more than half on normal usage, while recharging back to 100% takes about an hour or so on a normal charger. It does support up to 30W wired charging over the Pixel 9a though.
The 3000 nits display means you can use the Pixel 10a under direct sunlight with no issues. The 6.3-inch Actua display is crystal clear for most uses, but it can get a little cramped for gaming. While the audio is quite loud and clear, it can get a bit tinny at maximum volume.
The Google Pixel 10a can handle Genshin Impact fairly smoothly
Like most other Pixels, the Pixel 10a delivers very good camera performance, particularly for macro or close-up shots. While zoom shots aren't that clear, low-light performance and landscape shots are crystal clear. Camera Coach is also on hand for some AI-assisted help, but again, how good the resulting photo is still up to you.
We liked that the handheld Long Exposure mode lets you take motion blur, silky water and light trail shots without a tripod. The front camera is also good enough for most selfies and portrait shots. In addition, the phone has pretty smooth Active stabilisation for video recording, but it only supports up to FHD resolution. Check out our samples below:
The Google Pixel 10a takes very good macro shots
It can also take long exposure shots without needing a tripod
The Pixel 10a takes great photos during the day
And it's reasonable at night or in low-light conditions
It also takes good bokeh shots
The blur in portrait mode is also fairly natural
The front camera is also good
Conclusion - More value options for Older Pixel users?
Overall, the Google Pixel 10a is a good midrange phone, especially if you like smartphones with completely flat backs, which are quite rare these days. However, due to its rather incremental upgrades, it's rather hard to recommend it to someone who already has the Pixel 9a.
While the Pixel 10a keeps the initial price lower than the Pixel 9a, it's not much of a difference from its predecessor. Perhaps, rather than being a direct update to that phone, it seems to offer more upgrade options for older Pixel users or fans? Both the Pixel 10a and 9a should offer 7 or 6 years of updates though.
Given its RM2299 price tag, there's a good deal of competition, so much so that we can't list them all. Many of these contenders also have much better telephoto cameras for zoom shots, but if you're not a paparazzi or bird watcher, the Google Pixel 10a should be more than good enough especially if you like macro shots. If you like gaming, make sure you get the variant with more storage though.
What do you think? Are you interested in getting the Google Pixel 10a? Share your thoughts in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more reviews, news and tech updates.
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