I’ve been using Pixel smartphones for a decade now, and I’ve never seen a muted refresh as the latest Pixel-A midranger. There’s plenty of chatter in the community, and deservedly so. Google’s all-new Pixel 10a doesn’t come with the dramatic spec upgrades we’ve come to expect from annual refreshes. It even makes year-over-year iPhone upgrades feel generous.

The phone is strikingly similar to its predecessor, retaining the same overall design and core hardware while introducing only minor tweaks. The bezel around the display is slightly narrower, the camera module sits more flush with the back panel, and under the hood, things remain largely unchanged.

While the absence of headline-grabbing upgrades may seem underwhelming at first glance, the Pixel 10a remains a strategically sound release. Google has focused on polishing the fundamentals instead of trying to impress with big upgrades. Viewed through that lens, there are three clear reasons why the Pixel 10a still makes sense to me.

The Pixel 10a still delivers on the core Pixel experience

At the heart of the Pixel 10a is a commitment to the things that make Pixel phones stand out: clean software, great everyday performance, and Google’s signature computational photography. While the Tensor G4 powering the 10a doesn’t bring any performance improvements over last year’s model, it remains more than capable of handling typical daily tasks, from messaging and social media to light multitasking and media playback. Just as importantly, it delivers efficient power management that helps keep the experience smooth and consistent throughout the day.

But it’s really the software, especially the AI-driven experiences, that truly set it apart. And these are no gimmicks, but quality features that add meaningful convenience. Real-time scam detection in calls and messages, thanks to Gemini Nano working in the background. Call Assist can filter and block spam calls by having an AI assistant take the call for you and deciding its status before showing an audio-visual alert. Call Notes enables private transcription and summarization for your calls, while Hold for Me saves you from the drudgery of staying on the line for service calls. Finally, we have Clear Calling that cleans background noise and enhances the caller’s voice.

My favorite is the on-call translation, which even preserves the speaker’s natural voice in the translated audio. On the software front elsewhere, the Pixel 10a continues Google’s approach of bringing flagship-level AI features to a wider audience. Tools like Camera Coach, which uses AI to help you frame better shots in real time, and Auto Best Take, which intelligently selects the best expressions in group photos, show how software improvements can meaningfully enhance the camera experience without new sensor hardware.

The device runs Android 16 out of the box, and Google has committed to seven years of OS upgrades and security updates, a promise that remains rare in the mid-range segment. That level of long-term support ensures the phone won’t feel outdated anytime soon, even if hardware changes are modest. For buyers who prioritize longevity over yearly upgrades, this is a meaningful advantage. So while the Pixel 10a doesn’t dramatically reinvent the wheel, it preserves the core strengths that have made recent Pixel A series phones some of the best mid-range devices on the market.

A refined design and improvements that matter

Minimalism is an afterthought in smartphone design these days, and it’s not all about making a statement, but a necessity. You can’t fit massive sensors, vapor chambers, and other top-tier goodies in a sleek phone. But not every buyer needs all that snazz and jazz. And that’s a core reason why the Pixel 10a makes sense, even if its specs aren’t entirely new, Google has clearly focused on refining areas that matter most in daily use.

The phone’s 6.3-inch Actua pOLED display may be the same size, but its peak brightness has been increased from 2,700 nits to 3,000 nits, which should make it noticeably easier to use outdoors and under harsh lighting. That extra headroom should improve visibility when navigating maps, replying to messages, or scrolling through social feeds in direct sunlight.

Durability has also taken a meaningful step forward. The Pixel 10a is now protected by Gorilla Glass 7i, replacing the older Gorilla Glass 3 found on its predecessor. The upgrade should offer better resistance to scratches and drops, adding an extra layer of reassurance for long-term use.

Charging speeds have received a practical boost as well. Wired charging has increased from 23W to 30W, while wireless charging has moved up from 7.5W to 10W. These are not class-leading numbers, but they will reduce downtime and make the 5,100mAh battery easier to top up in daily use.

Google has also introduced a new modem that enables Satellite SOS, making the Pixel 10a the first A-series device to include the feature. While it’s not something most users will rely on regularly, it adds a layer of emergency connectivity that was previously limited to higher-end models.

Taken together, these upgrades do not radically transform the device, but they make it more practical, durable, and slightly more future-ready than before.

Balanced features at a sensible price

For most buyers, choosing a mid-range phone involves compromise. You typically trade flagship-level specs and features for a more affordable price, and accept that a few premium features will be left out. The Pixel 10a manages those trade-offs thoughtfully, delivering a familiar formula without raising the asking price.

By carrying over much of the core hardware from last year’s model, Google has also avoided the pressure of rising component costs. That decision allows the company to keep the Pixel 10a competitively priced, while focusing its upgrades on areas that meaningfully improve the everyday experience.

In the US, the Pixel 10a is available for pre-order at a starting price of $499, with introductory deals and trade-in offers helping to lower the effective cost. While it doesn’t undercut every rival in the segment, that pricing keeps it firmly within reach for buyers upgrading from a device that’s two or three generations old.

Sure, it’s not a compelling upgrade over the Pixel 9a, but it’s worth considering for those coming from older Pixel A series devices or aging mid-range phones from Samsung, OnePlus, or Motorola. For those users, the combination of a brighter and more durable display, faster charging, a sleeker design, and seven years of software support makes it a viable choice over last year’s model.

Paired with Google’s clean Android experience and AI features, the Pixel 10a offers a well-rounded package at a sensible price. It may not dominate the spec sheet, but it delivers where it counts, making it a solid choice for buyers who prioritize longevity, reliability, and overall value over headline-grabbing updates.

It’s not for everyone, but it’s still worth considering

To be fair, the reaction to the Pixel 10a has not been universally positive. The hardware changes over the Pixel 9a are minimal, leaving little reason for current owners to upgrade. Viewed strictly as a year-over-year update, that perspective is understandable.

However, most smartphone buyers don’t upgrade every year. Many are coming from devices that are two, three, or even four years old, phones that may now struggle with performance, battery life, or ongoing software support. For those users, the Pixel 10a’s incremental improvements, combined with its long-term update commitment, are likely to feel far more meaningful than the spec sheet suggests.