Google unveils Pixel 10a with completely flat backside

Google's Pixel A-series is generally one of the easiest budget handsets to recommend each year. So, those in the market for a new Android phone might want to take a look at the new Pixel 10a, officially announced today.

The Pixel 10a is priced at $499 (no price increase) and delivers modest upgrades over its predecessor. The new phone will be available starting March 4, and you can pre-order the phone starting today.

I got to preview the phone at a recent demo event, and it looks very similar to last year's Pixel 9a. The prominent horizontal camera bar that adorns the regular Pixel line is still gone, in favor of an inconspicuous little camera array that now sits completely flush with the device's back.

Last year's model also got rid of the horizontal bar, but the camera still jutted out a little bit. Now, you can lay the Pixel 10a completely flat on a table without it rocking around, a big problem with the latest Samsung phones.

Google Pixel 10a: The specs

Google Pixel 10a comes in four colors: Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian. It also costs $499, just like the Pixel 9a did. Here are the basic specs:

• 6.3-inch display with 1080x2424 resolution and 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• Up to 3,000 nits peak brightness

• Google Tensor G4 processor

• 5,100mAh battery

• 8GB RAM

• 128/256GB storage

• Two rear camera lenses: 48MP and 13MP

• 13MP selfie camera

What's new, what's not

Eagle-eyed readers will notice quite a few similarities between the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 9a on that list of specs. The battery size, RAM, and storage options are all the same as last year, too. Ditto for the camera specs.

However, the Pixel 10a does carry some upgrades. Google says the Pixel 10a is its most durable A-series phone, with IP68 water and dust resistance. The 6.3-inch Actua display also has new Corning Gorilla Glass 7i and is 11 percent brighter than the 9a.

What kind of performance will it offer?

Interestingly, the processor hasn't changed, which is unusual for the Pixel A-series. Usually, the budget version of a Pixel phone uses the same processor as the previous model. For example, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9a both used the Tensor G4 processor. For some reason, Google has kept the Tensor G4 processor in the Pixel 10a, despite the Pixel 10 running on Tensor G5.

At this moment in time, it's impossible to tell what practical difference this will make on performance, especially given that Google is bringing AI feature parity from the Pixel 10 to the Pixel 10a. It doesn't necessarily do anything new software-wise, but it can do basically everything the Pixel 10 could do, as far as I can tell.

Is the Pixel 10a worth it?

Processor weirdness aside, the Pixel 10a is looking like another high-value mid-range phone from a company that's gotten very, very good at making those in recent years.

We'll know more about the Pixel 10a once we have a chance to properly test it out, and a full review ill be coming soon.

You can preorder the Google Pixel 10a for $499 at the Google Store. Shoppers who pre-order the phone at Amazon will also get a free $100 Amazon gift card.