Google just showed the Pixel 10a early - here are 5 things it must nail before I upgrade

3 days ago 10

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

ZDNET's key takeaways

Preorders for the Pixel 10a open on Feb. 18.
Don't expect a major redesign, as it looks a lot like the 9a.
The phone is expected to have specs similar to its predecessor.

The Pixel 10a is nearly here, and we just got our first official look at Google's newest midrange phone.

Google officially pulled back the curtain on the device with a 15-second teaser video that dropped this morning. The video shows flashes of the phone in a powder blue colorway before ending with a date of Feb. 18, 2026 -- the date you can preorder.

Also: Why I recommend this $400 Google Pixel over competing models from Samsung and OnePlus

At first glance, the Pixel 10a looks nearly identical to last year's Pixel 9a (which ZDNET's Kerry Wan called "so close to being my perfect budget phone"). If there's one design change, it does look like the camera bump has been completely removed, making the back of the phone totally flat.

There's been a lot of speculation that the 10a won't offer major upgrades, and Google might be pushing back on that with its tagline for the phone -- "A phone with more in store."

The 8a did provide several upgrades over the 7a, including a larger screen, a brighter display, and an upgraded processor. Not much has leaked in the way of specs, though, so it's hard to gauge where the 9a will land.

Here's a look at some rumors about the upcoming phone and some things I'd like to see that could help Google stay ahead of the competition.

1. An affordable price point

When the Pixel 9a debuted, it was priced at $499 for the 128GB model and $599 for the 256GB model. Early leaks suggest the 10a's price in Europe will be roughly $640 for the base version and $755 for the upgraded model.

Also: How to clear your Android phone cache (and why it makes such a big difference)

I haven't seen specifics on pricing for the United States, but the official preorder page from the Google Store promises an exclusive offer when you sign up for emails by Feb. 13, perhaps a chance to save from the start. If Google can keep the price competitive with the iPhone 16e, which comes in at $599, and the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, priced at $499, it's a win (especially given component price increases).

2. More RAM (or at least an option)

With on-board AI-powered features becoming increasingly prevalent and other features like built-in photo processing becoming the norm, we're asking our phones to do a lot more. The Pixel 9a and other phones in this space have 8GB of RAM, and if you wanted more, your only option was to upgrade to a more premium model.

If Google could squeeze a little more RAM into its budget phone, or at least give users the option to pay for more, it would go a long way.

3. Room for premium features?

Limiting some features to premium devices is nothing new for Google, but it looks like the 9a might break this trend, at least a little. A leak showing off some color options also indicated that the Pixel 9a might get a few usually premium features like Call Assist and Gemini Live. If Google does let some of the better features trickle down, it would be a big selling point.

4. A battery that truly lasts all day

If you use your phone often, you'll probably find it hard to last through the whole day. If rumors are true, the 9a will feature a 5,100mAh battery. That's a hair bigger than the 5,000mAh battery of the Galaxy A56, but a decent step above the 3,561mAh battery of the iPhone 16e. A large battery wouldn't necessarily be an upgrade (the 9a had it too), but it would be better than what other companies offer.

Also: I compared the two of the best Android camera phones right now - there's a surprise winner

While some leaks claim the phone will hit retail in mid-February, I think that might be a bit early. If we're getting preorders on Feb. 18, the phone will likely hit the market in late February or early March. At least for now, it looks like the 10a might not be a huge upgrade over the 9a.

Read Entire Article