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The wait is over. Google after teasing the release of the Pixel 10a earlier this month, the device is now officially on sale in Canada.
Like other "a" series Pixel devices, it is bringing a lot of that "Pro" magic down to a much friendlier price point. Starting at $679, this phone is designed to give you the essential Pixel experience without the flagship price tag.
A fresh new look
The first thing you will notice is the design. Google has moved to a completely flat back for the 10a. The iconic camera bar now blends into the body, which makes it much easier to slide into your pocket, or leave lying flat on a table. A thinner camera of course comes with a few trade-offs, but if you're not a pro photographer, it's things you might not miss.
Aside from a redesigned body, you'll find some new colours alongside familiar favourites in the new lineup:
- Lavender
- Berry
- Fog
- Obsidian
Google is also releasing two new colour options for the Pixel Buds 2a to go with the 10a colourway. You'll be able to order Berry or Fog buds as of today, too, starting at $179.
Tougher than your average phone
This is the most durable A-series phone Google has ever made. It features an IP68 rating for water and dust protection. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which is designed to handle those accidental drops and scratches much better than before.
At this point, we haven't tested the device ourselves, so we'll have to take Google's word for it. But historically with our testing Pixel A series devices have held up very well, so if this one is "even tougher" then all the better!
Brains and brawn
The Pixel 10a is powered by the Google Tensor G4 chip. This is the same custom silicon designed to make AI features run smoothly. It also comes with 8 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of storage.
The quick specs
| Category | Pixel 10a Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.3-inch Actua display (60-120Hz) |
| Processor | Google Tensor G4 |
| Battery | 30+ hours (Typical 5100 mAh) |
| Durability | IP68 water/dust resistance |
| Security | 7 years of OS and security updates |
Built for the long haul
One of the best parts about buying a Pixel is the commitment from Google. You are getting seven years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates.
If you're new to Pixels or never paid attention to Pixel Drops on your past devices, these are legit awesome features that Google is able to add after you buy the product.
So, this helps cut down on the FOMO you may feel when the Pixel 11, 11a, 12, etc. eventually come out.
Is the Pixel 10a Worth It?
This whole article is basically an FYI. Google says this phone is better, stronger, etc. But we haven't tried this phone yet (we're going to) and we don't recommend anything we haven't tried personally.
Geeking Out Shop
Pixel 10a
Tougher than your average phone
If you're shopping for a dependable Android phone that balances price and performance, the Pixel 10a looks very promising. It offers Google's latest in-house processor, long-term software support, and meaningful durability upgrades, all at a price that undercuts most premium devices. That combination alone makes it stand out in the mid-range space. While we still need hands-on time before giving a full recommendation, Google's consistency with previous A-series models gives us reason to be optimistic. If you're comfortable buying based on specs and track record, this could end up being one of the strongest value options available in Canada right now.
But based on historic knowledge and experience, here's some helpful context which might impact your decision of whether or not to pull the trigger before you get the chance to read a hands-on review:
- The Tensor G4 Chip is the same chip that was in the Pixel 9 series and those phones were excellent.
- AI features on the previously mentioned Pixel 9 were excellent and like nothing we had seen to a Pixel at that point and continue to get better though Pixel drops so again this is a solid choice
- Battery Life claims of 30+ hours seem high. In general we've had great experiences with Pixel battery life (getting through a full day is a non-issue)
- Ecosystem the Pixel "ecosystem" is getting better. Apple is the envy of this between their phones, watches, laptops, TV streaming box, and more that all work seamlessly. The Google TV streamer refines Google's TV streaming option to be on par with Apple's (and with a better remote). Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 could go toe-to-toe (ear-to-ear?) with any other premium earbud and Buds 2a are very good for their category (though slightly overpriced). The Pixel Watch 4 is a very specific device for a specific type of user with a very specific look. You either love it or hate it. But this is all to say that you can now go "all in" on Google/Pixel and not feeling like there's a device "missing" that you'd rely on in your daily life.
Again - we do not recommend products we haven't tried personally. And we will be doing a review on the Pixel 10a very soon. But if you just can't wait, hopefully this article provides helpful information for you to decide whether or not this is the right phone for you to upgrade to.
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