The Pixel 10a is officially coming – here’s why you should get a Pixel 9a instead

Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a: Why You Should Skip the Upgrade and Save $100 Right Now

The tech world is buzzing with the official announcement of the Pixel 10a, Google’s latest budget-friendly smartphone. But before you rush to pre-order, let’s take a closer look at why the Pixel 9a might still be your best bet for 2025.

After months of leaks, renders, and speculation, the Pixel 10a has finally been unveiled. While we’re still waiting for the full spec sheet, the leaks have painted a picture of a device that’s eerily similar to its predecessor. In fact, if you’re in the market for a budget phone this year, grabbing a Pixel 9a right now could save you a cool $100 without sacrificing much in terms of performance or features.

The most significant change rumored for the Pixel 10a is its chipset. Google is reportedly opting to reuse the Tensor G4 from last year’s Pixel 9a, rather than upgrading to the newer Tensor G5 found in the mainline Pixel 10. This decision is likely a cost-cutting measure, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Our experience with the Pixel 9a was excellent, and it’s more than capable of handling everyday smartphone tasks with ease.

But when you look at the rest of the leaked specs – 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of storage, and a virtually unchanged design – you start to experience a strange case of smartphone déjà vu. And then you hear about those leaked prices.

While a $500 starting point for the Pixel 10a seems fair on paper, it’s the same price we saw the Pixel 9a launch at last year. Typically, waiting for newer hardware means you miss out on sales, but the Pixel 9a is currently available at a discounted $400 price point practically everywhere. That’s a significant saving for what appears to be a very similar device.

From a design perspective, the only notable change is the removal of the lifted plastic ring around the camera module. While this does make the device perfectly flat, it also removes some protection when you place it down on a table. It feels more like a visual change for the sake of change, rather than a true enhancement to your overall Pixel experience.

It’s possible there’s something we don’t know about the Pixel 10a that could make spending that extra $100 worth it. Perhaps Google is upgrading to the mainline Tensor G4 used in the Pixel 9, which utilizes a newer Samsung-made modem and adds satellite connectivity. Maybe the Pixel 10a includes Qi2 support, rather than the usual ultra-slow speeds seen on last year’s 9a. But based on the information we have so far, these potential upgrades don’t seem significant enough to justify the price difference.

Meanwhile, all you’ll lose by buying a Pixel 9a right now is one or two alternate color options and a year’s worth of software upgrades. In today’s economy, that seems like a pretty fair trade to most wallets.

I’ve said it before, but buying a phone in 2025 is going to be challenging. One of the only ways around paying more is to jump on deals when you see them. If Google wants to barely upgrade their existing hardware just to ensure there’s a new piece of tech lining the shelves in Best Buy, then it’s in your best interest to act while there’s money to be saved.

Google says its own Pixel 9a sales are running through February 15th, and I’d expect similar pricing at other retailers to hold strong through that same period. If you’re at all interested in an A-series device, don’t sleep on this one.

In conclusion, while the Pixel 10a might have some under-the-hood improvements, the Pixel 9a offers incredible value for money right now. With its proven performance, familiar design, and significant price cut, it’s hard to justify spending an extra $100 on what appears to be a very similar device. So before you get caught up in the hype of the latest release, consider whether the Pixel 9a might be the smarter choice for your wallet and your needs.

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