The Google Pixel 10a may very well be essentially the most boring cellphone launch in a decade

For the previous few months, rumors have been swirling about what Google has deliberate for the Pixel 10a, its upcoming mid-range various to the Pixel 10 and the successor to the Pixel 9a. Google launched the Pixel 10 collection in August, and it normally rolls out the A-series within the first half of the yr following a flagship launch. For reference, the Pixel 7a arrived in Could 2023, the Pixel 8a in Could 2024, and the Pixel 9a dropped in April final yr. This yr, it appears to be like just like the Pixel 10a might arrive even earlier.

In response to a publish by leaker Roland Quandt on Bluesky, the Pixel 10a is anticipated to launch in mid-February (by way of Android Authority). If true, that might imply the Pixel 10a is launching virtually two months sooner than the Pixel 9a did final yr.

Along with teasing the launch date, Quandt additionally shared that the cellphone can be obtainable in two storage choices, 128GB and 256GB, and are available 4 colours: Obsidian, Berry, Fog, and Lavender.

Whereas it is good that the Pixel 10a may very well be arriving sooner than anticipated this yr, all of the rumors have me questioning if the early launch is as a result of Google is not truly altering a lot from the Pixel 9a.

The Pixel 10a may very well be a copy-and-paste of the Pixel 9a

With refined modifications

Again in December, there was a reasonably substantial leak concerning the Pixel 10a, courtesy of dependable leaker @evleaks, who shared a screenshot displaying the cellphone being licensed for Verizon’s community. The screenshot revealed some specs, together with a 6.3-inch FHD+ AMOLED show, 128GB of storage, 8GB of RAM, a 5,100mAh battery, and two rear cameras — a 48-megapixel primary sensor and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide.

If that sounds acquainted, it is as a result of the Pixel 9a has the very same specs. Whereas Blass’ leak did not point out the chipset, earlier reviews counsel the Pixel 10a will use the identical Tensor G4 chip because the 9a, simply clocked barely larger, as a substitute of leaping to the Tensor G5. Normally, A-series telephones get the identical chipset because the flagship, however this yr, Google may be taking a distinct strategy, presumably to chop prices.

Leaked renders from Android Headlines additionally present the Pixel 10a wanting virtually similar to the 9a design-wise, with the one noticeable change presumably being barely thinner bezels.

With that in thoughts, if the specs and design are practically similar and the one actual variations are shade choices, it is sensible why Google might launch the Pixel 10a so early in February. Final yr, Google fully revamped the Pixel 9a in comparison with the 8a, upgrading the design, chipset, and battery. But when these leaks maintain true, the Pixel 10a appears to be like like a straight copy-and-paste of the 9a, which might make for a reasonably underwhelming launch.

In the event you’ve been ready to improve, the Pixel 10a might nonetheless be price it — particularly in case you’re on an older system just like the Pixel 6a or 7a, and Google retains the worth at $500. However in case you’re on a good price range, the Pixel 9a remains to be a stable possibility, notably since it will probably have the identical specs — and you’ll typically discover it on sale for as little as $400.

Personally, I hope a few of these leaks are mistaken and the Pixel 10a has a number of surprises in retailer. However proper now, it is wanting more and more probably that the cellphone may very well be fairly boring, given how closely it is rumored to intently mirror the Pixel 9a.