Google’s Pixel 10a is here and looks very familiar | Tech News

Google has unveiled its new mid-range smartphone, the Pixel 10a, however you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for final yr’s Pixel 9a each from its look and when evaluating specs. The new cellphone has a virtually equivalent design, with a twin digital camera cutout that is now utterly flush with the back panel the place the 9a had the tiniest of ridges.

Though barely completely different, even Google’s color decisions for the 10a are very just like the 9a’s, and in phrases of specs, the 10a even runs the identical Tensor G4 chipset because the 9a, which might disappoint cellphone followers hoping to search out the newer G5 from the Pixel 10 telephones on this cheaper model.

In truth, when evaluating spec sheets, there are solely 4 variations between the Pixel 10a and the older 9a: the new model has Gorilla Glass 7i on its screen as a substitute of Gorilla Glass 3, a screen that goes up to three,000 nits of peak brightness in comparison with 2,700 earlier than, 30W charging speeds as a substitute of 23W and wi-fi speeds of 10W as a substitute of 7.5W and Bluetooth 6 as a substitute of 5.3.

Google additionally says the Pixel 10a beneficial properties satellite tv for pc SOS assist and has thinner bezels than the 9a. It’s commonplace for cellphone upgrades to be iterative yr over yr, however this one is notably noticeable given Google has not put the present flagship chipset within the 10a, and as a result of this is the primary time the Pixel A-series has not modified in design.

The Pixel 10a is now accessible for pre-order from £499, the identical price the 9a retailed for, although that older cellphone is now generally on sale for about £349.

£499 will get you 128GB, with 256GB fashions accessible for £599.

That will get you a 6.3-inch OLED 60-120Hz show, the aforementioned Tensor G4 chip, 8GB RAM, 128GB or 256GB storage, twin digital camera with a 48MP predominant sensor and 13MP ultra-wide plus a 48MP selfie shooter. There’s additionally IP68 mud and water resistance together with 5G, Wi-Fi 6E and NFC, as you’d anticipate.

On the software program facet, the Pixel 10a comes with the most recent Android 16 and is promised seven years of software program updates, which is able to take you to early 2033 earlier than security updates stop. That’s wonderful longevity, although you’ll seemingly need to get a battery substitute if you happen to plan on utilizing this cellphone for that long.

Google has stuffed the 10a full of its AI smarts, as is modern in the intervening time within the smartphone world. Camera Coach makes its manner over from the flagship Pixel 10 and 10 Pro, serving to you line up and take pictures with higher framing, lighting and different ideas.

You’ll additionally get perks reminiscent of Auto Best Take, which mixes people’s best faces from a flurry of selfies or group pictures, together with the power to ask Google Photos to make edits for you by typing in a textual content immediate.

Many of Google Gemini’s options are additionally accessible in that app, regardless that the Pixel 10a is pitched and bought as a mid-range gadget. Google actually desires you to make use of Gemini, and will push it at you, however in my expertise with the Pixel 9a, you’ll be able to truly ignore most of the instruments if you happen to don’t need to use them, Your battery will thanks!

Pixel-exclusive options reminiscent of Call Assist with call screening, call recording, Hold for Me and audio emojis are genuinely great causes to decide on a Pixel over different Android telephones, whereas Pixel 10a joins the opposite Pixel 10 telephones by having the ability to natively share information to and from iPhone utilizing Quick Share and AirDrop, as these applied sciences can now discuss to one another on these telephones.

That’s a great perk particularly when you have an iPad or Mac however need to AirDrop to and from the Pixel 10a – now you’ll be able to.

I hope to be reviewing the Pixel 10a within the coming weeks, so keep it tuned to Express.co.uk for my verdict.

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