2 min readGoogle’s latest budget-friendly smartphone adds a smaller camera bump and satellite connectivity, but that's about it.
Announced this week and set to land in Australian retailers and carriers from 5 March 2026, the new Pixel 10a is being positioned as more of a design-heavy update than usual.
As mentioned, the device boasts a "zero-millimetre" camera bump that allows it to sit flat and is available in a quartet of new colours: Lavender, Berry, Fog and Obsidian. It also ups the ante on its predecessor when it comes to durability with upgraded Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection for the brighter 6.3-inch AMOLED display that the device is built around.
Those who were hoping to see Google's next A-Series device adopt the PixelSnap accessory standard introduced by last year's flagship lineup will be disappointed to find it absent here. Still, for what it's worth, the Pixel 10a does feature 30W fast charging and 10W wireless charging.
Google’s latest A-series also inherits the Satellite SOS connectivity introduced in last year’s Pixel 10 Series. Otherwise, though, a large chunk of the spec sheet here is synonymous with the one for last year’s Pixel 9a.
Like that device, the new Pixel 10a is powered by Google’s Tensor G4 processor, 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage, depending on how much you’re willing to spend. It also features IP68 water resistance, a 5100mAh battery, plus a rear camera that’s seemingly identical to the one found on its predecessor. This setup stacks together a 48MP main lens with a 12MP ultrawide one.
Meanwhile, the front of the Pixel 10a is armed with a 13MP selfie camera. As usual, Google’s latest offering for the savings-savvy is introducing a few AI-powered features previously only available in its premium devices. This time around, that list includes Camera Coach and Auto Best Take.
If all that sounds a little understated, you’re probably not the only one. This is probably the most iterative budget device Google have brought to the market since the A-Series was introduced.
Still, this year’s Pixel 10a comes in at the same asking price as last year’s Pixel 9a, with a starting recommended retail price of $849. In addition, Google does include its usual seven years of security and OS updates - which is the best you’ll find on the Android side of the smartphone landscape.
In Australia, the Pixel 10a will be available to pre-order through the Google Store as well as local launch partners like JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, The Good Guys, and Telstra from this week, ahead of an early March launch. Optus will also be ranging the Pixel 10a in March.
