Google Pixel 10a hands-on: Specs, release date, preorders and more

The Google Pixel 9a is one of the best budget phones I’ve ever tested, which means the new Pixel 10a has some big shoes to fill. Google’s affordable 2025 handset delivered a shockingly low-compromise Pixel experience for just $500, with smooth overall performance, some of the best battery life we’ve experienced in a phone and almost all of the key features found in the pricier Pixel 9. It’s not just good for a cheap phone; it’s one of the best phones you can buy at any price.

It’s no surprise then that the Pixel 10a simply looks to build on that winning foundation, with a slightly refined design and access to even more software perks and AI tricks that were once exclusive to the flagship Pixel series. After getting some early hands-on time with the phone, which is up for preorder now ahead of its March 5 release date, I can confidently say that it’s more of the same great experience I loved last year. However, that also means that not everyone will have a reason to upgrade.

The Pixel 10a looks almost indistinguishable from last year’s model, though that’s not entirely a bad thing. The Pixel 9a features my favorite design of any Google phone, with a slick matte finish and a small, nearly flush camera bump that’s refreshingly minimal compared to the giant camera bars on the standard Pixel and Pixel Pro phones.

For 2026, Google managed to make that barely there bump practically nonexistent, with a backside that can truly lie flat on a table without dealing with any awkward angles or worrying about damaging the camera lens. I didn’t think the Pixel 9a’s camera could get flatter, but when I put it alongside the Pixel 10a, I immediately noticed the difference. The Pixel 10a’s screen bezels are slightly thinner than before, which is another subtle but welcome design improvement that was easy to spot when comparing the phones up close.

That screen is also stronger than before, with an upgrade from Gorilla Glass 3 to Gorilla Glass 7i that should hopefully make it even more resistant to drops and scratches, and is 11% brighter than the Pixel 9a’s display. The screen looked nice and colorful when I watched Milly Alcock blow up a bunch of bad guys in the “Supergirl” trailer, though I’ll have to see if that added brightness is any help when I’m testing the phone in direct sunlight.

While the Pixel 10a’s color choices aren’t drastically different from last year’s, the new bold red Berry model immediately grabbed my attention (and I’m not even much of a red guy). The new Lavender and Fog models also look richer than their 9a counterparts, and there’s still good ol’ Obsidian if you prefer a basic black phone.

Same key specs, more features and battery life

Internally, the Pixel 10a is almost the same exact phone as last year, down to the same Google Tensor G4 processor that powered the entire Pixel 9 family. It’s rare for a phone to not get any sort of annual processor upgrade, but considering how snappily I was able to multitask and play demanding games on the Pixel 9a, I’m not too concerned here. You’re also getting the same camera hardware, which I found to be totally reliable for everyday photos but behind the pack when it comes to zoom and overall detail.

Instead of promising big hardware boosts, the Pixel 10a mostly unlocks a bunch of key software perks that were once exclusive to the pricier Pixel and Pixel Pro series. Those include Satellite SOS for contacting emergency services when you’re without cell service, Auto Best Take for tackling the difficult task of making everyone in a group photo look good and Camera Coach, which gives you generative AI-derived photography tips based on what you’re trying to shoot. I never got in the habit of using the latter feature much on my Pixel 10, but it did work as advertised on the Pixel 10a, giving me suggestions on how to best frame a shot of the snowy courtyard outside of my demo area.

Considering that the Pixel 9a survived a whopping 23-plus hours of 4K video playback on our battery test — beating the entire iPhone 16 family in the process — I’m very intrigued by Google’s promise that the 10a’s battery is even better. The company specifically calls out that you’ll get up to 120 hours of endurance on Extreme Battery Saver mode compared to 100 on last year’s model, and I’m eager to see if that translates to any significant gains in everyday use. You can also expect faster charging speeds than last year’s model’s, which we’re looking forward to putting to the test.

The Google Pixel 10a is shaping up to be a refined version of the best budget phone you can buy, which is both great news for first-time shoppers and potentially a little disappointing for Pixel diehards hoping for something new. Its brighter display, flatter camera bump and wider feature set are all welcome additions, and add on to what’s already the best combination of performance, design and battery life you can get for $500 or less. But with an unchanged camera and processor, Pixel 9a owners have virtually no reason to upgrade this year. Who should, then? We’ll have a much better idea of that once we get our model in for a proper tested review, so stay tuned.

CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and we ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain our product testing is accurate as we speak to the pros and cons of each item.

Senior tech editor Mike Andronico has been writing product reviews of smartphones for more than a decade, and has been one of CNN Underscored’s lead Pixel phone testers for the past several years. He looks forward to bringing the Pixel 10a out into the real world and seeing if it can claim its predecessor’s budget throne.