Tech Blog #240 | Google Pixel 10a : Is There ANY Updates from 9a?

Google’s affordable Pixel lineup has always had a single purpose: offer the cleanest Android experience with great cameras and long software support without asking flagship money. The Google #Pixel 10a continues that tradition, but unlike some generations, this one doesn’t feel like a dramatic leap over the Pixel 9a. In fact, if you look at the core hardware, the changes are subtle — almost like refinements rather than a full redesign.

At first glance, the display hasn’t changed much from the Pixel 9a. Both phones come with a 6.3-inch P-OLED panel with 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and the same 1080×2424 resolution. That means you still get rich colours and smooth motion, but there’s no upgrade to higher brightness or LTPO tech here. If you’re coming from a phone that didn’t have a high refresh display, it will impress. But compared to the 9a, it’s effectively the same panel under the glass.

Under the hood, both the Pixel 10a and the Pixel 9a use Google’s #Tensor G4 chipset built on 4nm, paired with 8 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and the same storage options. That means performance in everyday tasks like browsing, social apps, navigation and light gaming feels very familiar on both devices. You won’t find big raw speed differences, because the silicon is shared between the two.

When it comes to software, both phones run clean #Android with up to seven years of updates, which is one of the biggest reasons people buy Pixel ‘a’ phones in the first place. While the Pixel 10a launches with Android 16 right away, the 9a also gets the same long-term support.

Batteries and charging are another area where specs look the same on paper. Both sport a 5100 mAh battery, and in real-world use you can expect a full day of moderate use on either #smartphone. The Pixel 10a does bring a small improvement in wired and wireless charging speeds, but both phones still cap at similar real-world rates once you factor in thermal limits. This isn’t a life-changing upgrade.

The camera systems are basically unchanged. You get a 48 MP main camera with OIS, a 13 MP ultrawide, and a 13 MP selfie camera on both phones. The sensor sizes, focal lengths, and general specs match, which means photos and videos will look very similar in most scenarios. Improvements you might notice, if any, come down to software tuning, post-processing, or firmware refinements rather than brand-new hardware.

Design and build remain familiar too, with chunky bezels and a simple Pixel shape that many people find comfortable and unobtrusive. Both phones also have IP68 dust and water resistance, an under-display fingerprint unlock, NFC support, and all of the usual Pixel software perks like Good Lock and Pixel’s camera features.

At the end of the day, the Pixel 10a feels more like a modest refresh than a full upgrade over the Pixel 9a. You get the same display, same battery size, same core performance, and almost identical cameras. Any improvements are likely to be in subtle software processing refinements and overall polish rather than headline-making hardware changes. That’s exactly what you see when you compare the two spec sheets side by side.

So if you’re new to the Pixel A series or upgrading from an older Pixel, the Pixel 10a is still a solid choice with great software support and a reliable camera experience. But if you’re already using a Pixel 9a, there’s no big reason to upgrade unless you want the latest release, slightly newer software tweaks, or specific regional pricing incentives. At the same price point, it feels like continuity more than evolution.