Last week, we asked our readers whether they had any interest in buying a Pixel 10a – the answer is a resounding “no”. The majority of voters think there are better mid-rangers on the market. The best thing that we can say based on these results is that around a third of voters think that the 10a isn’t a bad phone, it’s just overpriced. Which is bad.
Jokes aside, there was a similar attitude in the 9a poll a year earlier, but people warmed up to the 9a over time – or rather as the price cuts came in. So, maybe there is hope for the new model.
One good reason to jump on the Google Pixel 10a now is if you use a Garmin, SPOT or other satellite communication device. Not needing a separate device (and the subscription that comes with it) makes a lot of financial sense. But then a Pixel 9 has the satellite SOS feature too – and so does the Pixel 10.
We saw plenty of jokes that called this phone the “Pixel 9b”. Indeed, the 10a lacks one of the defining features of the Pixel 10 series – the 10a still uses the old Samsung-made Tensor G4 chipset. Two defining features, actually, since the 10a doesn’t support Pixelsnap magnetic accessories.
Future price cuts may shift the balance, but right now finding a Pixel 10 at the same price as a Pixel 10a isn’t that difficult. And it’s clear which is the better phone.
It gets even worse once you consider the wider mid-range market outside of Google’s own stable. Some people value the Pixel software experience enough to stick with Google, but even for them the 10a isn’t their first pick.