Google’s Pixel A series has become the sweet spot for smartphone buyers who want flagship features without flagship prices. The recently launched Pixel 9a already shook things up with its biggest battery yet and a sleeker design that ditched the iconic camera bar. But as we look ahead to the Pixel 10a, there are some specific improvements that could take Google’s affordable phone game to the next level.
Let’s dive into the realistic upgrades that would make the Pixel 10a an absolute game-changer for budget-conscious buyers.
Ditch the Plastic, Embrace Glass Construction
One of the most noticeable differences between budget and premium phones has always been the materials used. While the current Pixel 9a sports a decent aluminum frame, Google still uses plastic for the front and back panels – or as they call it, “3D thermoformed composite.”
Why Glass Matters for Everyday Users
Here’s the thing: it’s not just about looks. Glass feels more premium in your hand, it’s easier to clean, and it doesn’t show wear and tear the same way plastic does. When Samsung can put Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on both sides of their $300 Galaxy A26, it makes you wonder why Google’s $500 phone is still using plastic.
The upgrade doesn’t have to be the most expensive glass available. Even a step up to standard Gorilla Glass would make the Pixel 10a feel more substantial and durable. For users who keep their phones for years, this kind of material upgrade pays dividends in long-term satisfaction.
Balancing Cost and Quality
Google has to walk a careful line here. They’re packing flagship-level processors into these phones while keeping prices reasonable. But there’s definitely room in the budget to upgrade materials without breaking the bank. The improved build quality would help justify the price point and make the phone feel like a better long-term investment.
Faster Charging That Actually Keeps Up
The Pixel 9a comes with an impressive 5,100mAh battery – the largest ever in a Pixel phone. That’s fantastic for all-day usage, but here’s where things get frustrating: the charging speeds haven’t kept pace with the battery size.
Current Charging Feels Slow
Right now, you’re looking at 23W wired charging and 7.5W wireless charging. While these speeds work, they feel sluggish when you’re trying to quickly top up that massive battery. Compare this to Samsung’s Galaxy A series, which offers faster charging across the board, and Google starts to look behind the curve.
What Better Charging Would Mean
Bumping up to 25W or even 27W wired charging (matching the regular Pixel 9) would make a noticeable difference in daily use. Pair that with 10W wireless charging, and you’d have a phone that not only lasts longer but also gets back to full power more quickly when you need it.
This isn’t about keeping up with the fastest charging phones on the market – it’s about providing a charging experience that matches the battery capacity. When your phone takes forever to charge, even the best battery life starts to feel less impressive.
Bring Pixel Screenshots to Everyone
Here’s where things get a bit technical, but stay with me because this feature is genuinely useful. The flagship Pixel phones have this clever Pixel Screenshots app that can organize and search through your screenshots using AI. Unfortunately, the Pixel 9a doesn’t get this feature because of memory limitations.
Why Screenshots Matter More Than You Think
If you’re like most people, your phone probably has hundreds of screenshots scattered around – receipts, funny memes, important information, tickets, and random stuff you meant to deal with later. The Pixel Screenshots app can actually help you find and organize all of this automatically.
The problem is that the Pixel 9a’s 8GB of RAM only supports a lightweight version of Google’s AI that can’t process images. No image processing means no screenshot organization, which feels like a missed opportunity for a phone that’s supposed to offer most of the flagship experience.
Making It Work
Google would need to either increase the RAM or find a more efficient way to run the feature. Yes, this might add to the cost, but for many users, having better screenshot management would be worth a small price increase. It’s one of those features that sounds minor until you actually use it.
Skip the Tensor G4, Go Straight to G5
This might be the most important upgrade on the list. There are rumors that Google might stick with the current Tensor G4 chip for the Pixel 10a instead of upgrading to the newer Tensor G5. That would be a mistake.
Why the Chip Matters for Real-World Use
The Tensor G5 isn’t just about benchmarks and technical specs. Early reports suggest it will bring better gaming performance, improved battery efficiency, and faster AI processing. For a phone that people typically keep for several years, having the newer chip means better performance throughout its lifespan.
More importantly, the G5 is expected to handle new features and capabilities that the G4 simply can’t. If Google starts rolling out new AI features over the next few years, you want a phone that can actually run them properly.
Value Proposition
Sticking with the older chip would feel like Google is cutting corners on their mid-range phone. The Pixel A series has always been about bringing flagship features to a lower price point. Using last year’s processor goes against that philosophy and reduces the overall value proposition.
Keep the Buttons Simple
While everyone else seems to be adding dedicated AI buttons to their phones, Google should resist this trend with the Pixel 10a. The current button layout works perfectly well, and there’s no need to complicate things.
Why More Buttons Aren’t Better
Additional hardware buttons often end up being more annoying than useful. You already have plenty of ways to access AI features and customize your phone’s behavior through software. Adding another physical button just gives you one more thing to accidentally press or configure.
The Pixel phones already have excellent gesture controls and customization options through the existing buttons. Quick Tap on the back of the phone, power button remapping, and various gestures provide all the shortcuts most people need.
Focus on What Works
Instead of adding complexity, Google should focus on refining the current button experience. Make sure they’re responsive, well-positioned, and built to last. Sometimes the best upgrade is not changing what already works well.
When Can You Expect the Pixel 10a?
Google has been shifting their launch timeline for Pixel A phones, and the pattern suggests we might see the Pixel 10a earlier than expected. The Pixel 9a launched in March 2025, compared to May launches for previous models.
Launch Timeline Predictions
Based on recent patterns, the Pixel 10a could arrive anywhere from March to May 2026. Google seems to be moving toward earlier releases, possibly to capture more of the spring phone-buying season and get ahead of competitor launches.
This earlier timing also makes sense from a business perspective. Launching closer to the previous year’s flagship means the technology gap feels smaller, making the value proposition more compelling.
Should You Wait or Buy Now?
Here’s the honest answer: if you need a new phone now, don’t wait. The current Pixel 9a is genuinely excellent for the price, offering flagship-level photography, solid performance, and outstanding battery life.
The Pixel 9a Is Already Great
The current model has already addressed many long-standing complaints about Pixel A phones. The battery life is excellent, the design feels modern, and the camera performance rivals much more expensive phones. For most people, the Pixel 9a delivers everything they need from a smartphone.
When Waiting Makes Sense
The main reason to wait would be if you specifically want the newer processor or better build materials. If your current phone is working fine and you’re not in a rush, the potential upgrades in the Pixel 10a might be worth waiting for.
However, remember that waiting means missing out on nearly a year of using an already excellent phone. Sometimes the perfect upgrade you’re waiting for isn’t worth the time you lose with a phone that would already meet your needs.
The Bottom Line
The Pixel 10a has the potential to be an outstanding mid-range phone, especially if Google implements these realistic upgrades. Better materials, faster charging, more features, and a newer processor would create a compelling package that’s hard to beat at the $500 price point.
But here’s the key: these improvements would make a great phone even better, not fix fundamental problems. The Pixel A series is already in a strong position, and any of these upgrades would just strengthen Google’s value proposition in the competitive mid-range market.
Whether you wait for the Pixel 10a or grab the current Pixel 9a, you’re getting access to Google’s excellent camera software, clean Android experience, and reliable long-term support. That combination has made the Pixel A series a consistent recommendation for budget-conscious buyers, and it’s likely to continue with the next generation.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: When will the Google Pixel 10a be released? A: Based on recent launch patterns, the Google Pixel 10a is expected to arrive sometime between March and May 2026. Google has been moving toward earlier releases for their A-series phones, with the Pixel 9a launching in March 2025 compared to May launches in previous years.
Q: Should I wait for the Pixel 10a or buy the Pixel 9a now? A: If you need a new phone now, the Pixel 9a is an excellent choice that offers flagship-level features at a mid-range price. The potential upgrades in the Pixel 10a would be nice to have, but the current model already delivers outstanding value with great cameras, battery life, and performance for most users.
Q: What processor will the Pixel 10a use? A: While not officially confirmed, there are concerns that Google might stick with the Tensor G4 chip from the Pixel 9 series. However, many hope Google will upgrade to the newer Tensor G5 for better performance, gaming capabilities, and future-proofing, even if it means a slight price increase.