The Pixel 10a might be a step sideways, not forward

When Google launched the Pixel 9a earlier this year, it introduced a mid-range phone that was noticeably different from its predecessor, featuring a new design with flat edges and no camera bar, an upgraded Tensor G4 chipset, and a significantly larger 5,100mAh battery.

With the Pixel 10 series now out, Google’s next major release is the Pixel 10a, the upcoming successor to the Pixel 9a. Although the phone isn’t expected to launch until early next year, the first CAD renders have leaked online, courtesy of OnLeaks and Android Headlines, giving us our first glimpse of Google’s next mid-range device.

Notably, the first thing you’ll probably notice in the renders is that the phone looks almost identical to the Pixel 9a, with the same flat edges, flush camera island, and dual rear cameras. It appears that, unlike the upgrade from the Pixel 8a to the Pixel 9a, Google isn’t planning any major design changes for the Pixel 10a next year.

The color of the Pixel 10a in these leaked renders appears similar to the Pixel 10’s indigo colorway, but Android Headlines reports that it might not be available in this color at launch. Personally, I hope it is, as it’s my favorite color the Pixel 10 comes in. Besides the leaked design, there are also some early rumors about what we might expect to see under the hood of the Pixel 10a as well.

The similarities between the Pixel 10a and Pixel 9a don’t end with their looks

The Pixel 10a might even have the same chipset as the Pixel 9a, but it could be a little faster

Early rumors about the Pixel 10a suggest that Google may be more than just replicating the Pixel 9a’s design — it might also be copying many of its specifications.

Under the hood, the Pixel 10a is rumored to be powered by the Tensor G4 chipset, rather than the Tensor G5 used in the Pixel 10. This is a departure from Google’s typical practice with its Pixel A series, which usually features the same chip as the current flagship Pixel model. Although the Tensor G5 may not be included in the Pixel 10a — possibly due to costs associated with its TSCM manufacturing — it’s rumored that the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 10a could have a higher clock speed than the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 9a, potentially offering slightly improved performance.

When it comes to battery life, the Pixel 10a may be more of the same as well. One of the biggest upgrades the Pixel 9a received this year was its 5,100mAh battery — the largest in a Pixel phone at the time, until the Pixel 10 Pro XL was released. The Pixel 10a is rumored to have the same 5,100mAh battery, or possibly a slightly larger one. This isn’t a bad thing, persay, since the Pixel 9a’s battery life is great, but a little bit more never hurts either.

I’m a bit disappointed with these leaks and rumors about the Pixel 10a so far. It seems like Google is phoning it in with the device (pun intended)…

As for when the Pixel 10a might launch, it’s expected to be in early 2026, possibly in March or April. For reference, the Pixel 9a launched in April 2025, and the Pixel 8a launched in May 2024, so the first half of the year is likely, since the summer is usually reserved for Google’s flagship launches. As for pricing for the Pixel 10a, it is rumored to stay the same as the Pixel 9a, starting at $500 for the 128GB model.

Honestly, I’m a bit disappointed with these leaks and rumors about the Pixel 10a so far. It seems like Google is phoning it in with the device (pun intended) and isn’t making any significant changes, unlike in past years. While it’s still early in the rumor cycle for the Pixel 10a, and a lot could still happen before the launch, I’m not convinced Google will do much to alter the Pixel 10a for next year, either in hardware or design, likely to keep costs as low as possible. So far, it just seems like a rebranded Pixel 9a.