In summary
- Pixel 10a leak points to disappointing performance
- Slow storage also tipped
- Screen could be brighter
Early rumours surrounding the specifications for the Google Pixel 10a mid-range phone aren’t particularly encouraging.
The Pixel 10 series is now out in shops, which means that our attention can turn to Google’s next smartphone. We’re expecting the Pixel 10a to arrive in the first half of 2026, and it’s got quite the task on its hands following up on the brilliant Google Pixel 9a.
According to leaker Mystic Leaks, Google isn’t making things easy.
Pixel 10a performance and storage
If this latest rumour is to be believed, Google is set to break away from its policy of offering flagship-level performance for the Pixel 10a. Rather than match the Pixel 10 with its Tensor G5 chip, the claim is that the new mid-ranger will run on the same Tensor G4 as the Pixel 9a.
Google moved to a new TSMC production process for the Tensor G5 this year. Has the cost of this switch made the idea of placing the chip into a cheaper phone unfeasible or unpalatable for Google?
Foundry | Alex Walker-Todd
A knock-on effect of this chip freeze could be the lack of the Pixel 10’s expanded suite of on-device AI tools, including the new Magic Cue.
Another reused component could be UFS 3.1 storage, with the Pixel 10a tipped to stick with the older, slower standard. Given that the 128GB model of Pixel 10 also uses this slower standard (only larger capacities switched to UFS 4.0), I’d venture that this one isn’t a huge surprise, though it risks placing the Pixel 10a behind some of its competitors.
Pixel 10a camera and display
We also hear the claim that the Pixel 10a won’t feature a telephoto camera. Again, this doesn’t surprise me. The Pixel 10 effectively gives you the Pixel 9a’s camera set-up, plus a 5x telephoto camera. I wouldn’t expect the Pixel 10a to follow suit, as it would risk undermining Google’s mainstream flagship.
It’s not all bad news. The leaker claims that the Pixel 10a’s display will have bolstered brightness of 2000 nits in high-brightness mode (HBM), up from 1800 nits in the Pixel 9a. This would match the Pixel 10’s own bolstered display.
If true, the Google Pixel 10a offering may essentially boil down to a Pixel 9a with added Pixelsnap magnetic charging, which doesn’t sound like a particularly compelling upgrade. Of course, if Google were to buck the industry trend and actually reduce the price of its mid-range offering, then it might be onto something.
