I’ve been hands-on with the Google Pixel 10a, and the 9a for AU$570 is looking like the better buy — here’s why

Google’s Pixel A-series phones have historically been brilliant bang-for-buck handsets, providing premium-level hardware while saving costs in some areas, like using lower-grade materials, lower-spec cameras and slower charging.

One of the headline features in the A-series devices, though, is the fact they use the same Google-made Tensor processors that feature in the flagship Pixel handsets. For anyone who wants a phone that’s fast in use but doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of a flagship device, then Google Pixel A phones are tough to beat.

In the case of the Pixel 9 series, the same Tensor G4 chip that featured in the then-flagship phones was also present in the Pixel 9a. The result was a phone that was good enough for us to include in our best cheap phones list. Not only did the Tensor G4 provide plenty of power, but the Pixel 9a also benefitted from some excellent camera skills, which our reviewer found were almost comparable to the Pixel Pro phones.

This year, however, Google made the surprising move to retain the Tensor G4 processor with its newly released Pixel 10a, rather than opting for the Tensor G5 used in the much-acclaimed Pixel 10 lineup. That was personally disappointing to me and makes the 10a virtually indistinguishable from the 9a.

It’s not just the processor that’s been carried over: both generations feature the same 8GB of RAM, the same camera arrays, the same 5,100mAh battery, the same 120Hz refresh rate, and the same storage options of 128GB and 256GB. It really does beg the question, what’s new?

Google didn’t directly address the reason for retaining the Tensor G4 chip, but a representative told TechRadar that the goal was to achieve the same AU$849 price point of the Pixel 9a. The cynic in me can see how that was made possible — just keep everything the same.

Google, however, hasn’t pulled the Pixel 9a off the shelves — neither has it confirmed when it will be officially discontinued in Australia — and given it now has a successor, the 9a gets a modest discount in the Australian Google Store for AU$799, or AU$50 off RRP.

That makes what was already a great-value handset even more attractive but, wait, it gets even better as I’ve found an offer that gets you an excellent budget phone for just AU$570. Just keep in mind that opting for an older means you get one year less of software and security updates.

While the handset retains a lot of the Pixel 9a’s specs as mentioned above, there are some changes worth mentioning. Continuing the transition away from the big, metallic camera bumps of previous Pixel A phones, the Pixel 10a now has a completely flat back, removing the slight camera bump from the 9a to make it flush with the chassis. The 10a also has comparably more rounded edges than its predecessor. It’s a subtle change, sure, but one that some users will appreciate.

Other changes include a Gorilla Glass 7i front (compared to the 9a’s Gorilla Glass 3) for improved drop protection and scratch resistance, a new Exynos S5400 modem with on-board Satellite connectivity (perfect for the Aussie bush), and 30W wired charging (up from 27W). New colours like “Berry” and lavender are also worth mentioning for those who like unique colour options.

Using the Pixel 10a has been a blast to use, with the 120Hz screen providing a smooth and zippy experience to complement the still-capable Tensor G4 processor. The cameras are great for a budget phone, which would rival most flagships for macro photography. But that was also what my colleague said in his Pixel 9a review.

The Berry colour is a breath of fresh air reminiscent of the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro, or even the old Product(Red) iPhones, and a welcome departure from a sea of black or grey devices. The plastic back doesn’t feel too cheap, but it’s a compromise I’m willing to live with for any budget handset.

If the Pixel 10a had the Tensor G5 processor, then it would have been an automatic recommendation for me at the AU$849 RRP, considering that it also gets 7 years of support from Google (including Android OS upgrades, monthly security patches, and Pixel Feature Drops) compared to 6 years of support now for the 9a.

Unless you’re really set on a completely flat camera array, or you want the Berry and Lavender colours, I’m finding it difficult to recommend the Pixel 10a while the Pixel 9a is still available, and even more so when it has a discount as steep as the deal I’ve highlighted above.

If the Pixel 9a is eventually removed from shelves in the future, the 10a becomes the obvious choice but, even then, there are other fantastic cost-friendly phones that could be worth your consideration.