The Pixel 9a is now official, and it looks like another superb mid-ranger from Google. It matches the regular Pixel 9 on plenty of metrics while cutting the MSRP by $300, making it an incredible value.
But what about the upcoming Pixel 10? Naturally, we expect Google’s next high-end phone to be better, but how much better and — more importantly — how much more expensive? Here’s how the two compare, based on rumors we’ve heard.
Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 10 price
With the Pixel 9a now official, we can confirm the long-standing rumors that Google wouldn’t increase prices this generation. Like the Pixel 8a before, the new handset starts at $499, rising to $599 if you want to double the internal storage to 256GB.
Bluntly, there’s no way that the Pixel 10 will even come close to this. The regular Pixel has had price rises for the past two generations, going from $599 for the Pixel 7 to $799 for the Pixel 9. Even if it stands still this time around, that’s $300 more than the Pixel 9a.
Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 10 design
Until the Pixel 9a, every Google handset since the Pixel 6 had adopted a thick camera bar along the back, making them instantly identifiable. The Pixel 9a changes that with a pill-shaped camera bump on the left-hand side. It’s neat but undoubtedly more generic.
You might think that signals a change of direction for Google, but that’s not the case. The three Pixel 10 handsets we’ve seen so far all maintain the camera bar for another generation, so if you want something that screams “Google,” it might be worth holding on.
Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 10 performance
This should be the metric where the Pixel 10 leaves the Pixel 9a in the dust. A new generation means the adoption of a new chipset: the Tensor G5. This time, Google has not only switched from Samsung to TSMC but moved from 4nm to 3nm production, which should mean a big jump in terms of both performance and efficiency for a chip that has historically struggled in terms of raw power.
You may have noticed the word “should” cropping up twice in that paragraph. That’s because one tipster has poured cold water on the idea that the Tensor G5 will be a big leap forward despite the provider switch and smaller fabrication process. On X, Chunvn8888 stated his belief that the new chip is “gonna stay the same” as it’s “basically [a] TSMC-made version of G4.”
Even if processing and graphical performance aren’t too far apart, the Pixel 10 could still perform better in other ways. The Pixel 9a only has 8GB RAM, and the Pixel 10 will have at least 12GB to match its predecessor and possibly more. RAM is all-important for AI features, and Google has been a bit of a trailblazer here with both its Gemini implementation and Pixel-exclusive features.
We’ve already heard of a bunch coming to Pixel 10, including “Video Generative ML” for video editing, “Speak-to-Tweak” photo editing and a Sketch-to-Image tool that sounds like Google’s answer to Samsung’s equivalent perk. This generation may also see the debut of Pixel Sense, which should offer a personalized AI experience based on a user’s history with Google services.
It’s not a given that the Pixel 9a will miss out on these things, as Google has been quite good with its software updates in the past. However, some may require more processing grunt and RAM than the 9a offers. We’ll have to wait and see.
Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 10 cameras
While we haven’t heard anything about what Google has in mind for the Pixel 10’s camera array, we can be pretty confident that it will beat the Pixel 9a.
That’s because the 9a’s 48MP main (ƒ/1.7) and 13MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2) is already bettered by the Pixel 9’s 50MP main (f/1.68) and 48MP ultrawide (f/1.7) setup. Even if things remain static for a generation, that’s a win for the Pixel 10.
That said, those who don’t take many ultrawide shots may not see that much of a difference. Unless Google includes a telephoto lens on the regular Pixel 10 phone for the first time, the cheaper Pixel 9a may still seem like the more appealing option.
Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 10 outlook
There are many known unknowns about the Pixel 10 — chiefly about the camera setup — which makes it difficult to give a full analysis at this point. It’s safe to say that the Pixel 10 will be the better phone, it’s just hard to say how much better. It will also be considerably more expensive than the Pixel 9a, which muddies the waters a lot.
More will be revealed later this year, with Google tipped for an August launch of the Pixel 10 range. The Pixel 9a, meanwhile, will go on sale in April.
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