Google Pixel 10a wishlist: These are the 5 upgrades I need to see

Over the previous couple of years, we’ve gotten used to a fairly dependable formulation for Pixel launches. Each fall, Google rolls out its flagships, adopted by the mid-range Pixel A launch just a few months later within the spring. Normally, that mid-ranger takes most of its cues (and all of its internals) from the flagships, giving us a fantastic likelihood to advocate the total Pixel expertise with out the total Pixel value.

This yr, although, the Pixel 9a tried one thing new. It picked up the most important battery on any Pixel thus far and ditched the enduring digicam bar as a result of the nice minds at Google found out find out how to slim every thing down. The result’s a mid-range Pixel with its personal identification, and it already has me fascinated by what’s subsequent.

So, I believed it appeared a very good time to assemble my Google Pixel 10a wishlist. Right here’s what I’d wish to see from the following era.

The very first thing I’d like to see out of the Pixel 10a is for Google to refresh its supplies. Sure, I recognize that the present Pixel 9a has an aluminum body—most of its mid-range rivals sport plastic—however Google’s back and front panels have lengthy lagged behind. Actually, I can keep in mind making jokes about utilizing “3D thermoformed composite” for the again of the Pixel 6a and Pixel 7a, which is extra affectionately often known as plastic.

So, with Google slimming down its Pixel 9a to the purpose the place it’s not break up by a full digicam bar, I feel it’s time to ditch the plastic, too. I imply, Samsung’s Galaxy A26, which prices simply $300, places Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on its back and front, which beats the Pixel’s Gorilla Glass 3 show any day. Possibly Google doesn’t need to go fairly that far on account of getting to stability a flagship chipset whereas conserving the fee in test, however there needs to be a greater resolution than plastic.

Additionally, whereas I recognize that the Pixel 9a packs the most important battery on any Pixel thus far at 5,100mAh, that further capability places it in a difficult spot. On one hand, the larger battery is nice as a result of it lasts longer and permits me to do extra with the Pixel 9a than I may with the Pixel 9 and even the Pixel 8a. Then again, Google hasn’t upgraded the charging setup on its mid-ranger, so it usually feels just like the Pixel 9a takes perpetually to get again on its ft.

I’d like to see Google improve its charging requirements when the Pixel 10a rolls round. Proper now, the Pixel 9a tops out at 23W wired charging and seven.5W wi-fi charging, each of that are good however not essentially nice. As an alternative, I’d wish to see Google take only a little bit of a step ahead, perhaps pushing to 25W or 27W wired speeds—the latter of which might match the Pixel 9—and pairing it with 10W wi-fi charging.

Not solely would that give the Pixel A sequence sufficient charging pace to compete with Samsung’s Galaxy A units, however it could additionally hopefully encourage Google to hurry up its flagship Pixel charging additional to distinguish between the 2 traces. In fact, if Google pushes its eventual Pixel 10 Professional XL past 45W, we’ll want one other new USB-C charger, however that’s an issue for an additional day.

Certainly one of my favourite causes to advocate a Google Pixel A tool to household and associates is that it provides a lot of the flagship expertise at a cheaper price. For probably the most half, that additionally consists of the entire Gemini expertise. Once I fired up my Pixel 9a for the primary time, I used to be completely happy to see every thing from the Pixel Studio (which now helps folks) to the total suite of calling options and picture enhancing instruments.

There’s, nonetheless, an issue: The Pixel 9a skipped Pixel Screenshots. If you wish to look by way of and manage your screenshots on probably the most reasonably priced Pixel, you’ll need to do it the old style manner — with a folder in Google Pictures. Sadly, the Pixel 9a’s 8GB of RAM means it solely runs Gemini Nano XXS (further further small), which can’t course of picture inputs. So, no picture inputs means no screenshots, and no Pixel Screenshots app.

If Google had been to rejig the Pixel 10a to assist Pixel Screenshots, although, one thing else on my record must be minimize. I do know that it will possibly’t carry every thing to the mid-range section with out pushing its Pixel 10a just a bit too near the flagship lineup, however that doesn’t imply I gained’t ask.

Normally, my wishlist for a brand new cellphone is predicated on my preferences, however generally I let a leak or two affect my strategies. This subsequent want is a kind of occasions. We’ve beforehand reported that there’s an opportunity Google sticks with the Pixel 9’s Tensor G4 chipset for the Pixel 10a, and I’m undecided I would like that to occur. To me, that will really feel like an indication of Google leaving its Pixel A sequence only a bit additional behind, stripping just a bit little bit of worth out of the $500 value level.

Apart from, if the leaks about Google’s Tensor G5 are correct, it’s going to be a really attention-grabbing improve over the Tensor G4. Google goes to reshuffle its CPU cores as soon as once more and convey ray-tracing capabilities to its GPU, which might make the complete Pixel 10 sequence extra succesful for gaming. I notice there’s an opportunity such an improve would include a slight value enhance for the Pixel 10a, however I feel it could be price paying for the day-to-day efficiency enhancements it could carry.

My final hope for the Pixel 10a (although that sounds extra dramatic than meant) is for Google to maintain its bodily adjustments to a minimal, a minimum of relating to buttons. Proper now, the favored transfer appears to be for corporations so as to add a devoted AI button, like Nothing with its Important Key or Motorola with the AI Key on its Razr Extremely, and I don’t need that pattern to proceed. Don’t get me fallacious, Motorola’s placement reverse the facility button is rather more handy than Nothing’s positioning proper under it, however I don’t need Google to get any concepts.

In spite of everything, there are already sufficient gestures and remapping choices on the present Pixel {hardware}. I’d a lot reasonably arrange just a few totally different Fast Faucet choices and set every press of the facility button to do one thing totally different, so a 3rd {hardware} button would solely make life extra sophisticated. To this point, we haven’t seen something to counsel that Google would add one other button to its Pixel 10a—a minimum of not earlier than the flagship Pixels, however I’m hoping it stays that manner.

If six generations are something to go on, then sure, there will likely be a Pixel 10a. Google began its mid-range sequence again with the Pixel 3a, and it’s come like clockwork each era since, following a lot of the design swings and {hardware} upgrades of its flagship siblings. Lately, although, the Pixel A sequence has stepped up its recreation, providing much more worth for the cash, and generally incomes a stronger suggestion than the bottom Pixel mannequin.

With that rising presence, it solely is smart for Google to maintain the great occasions rolling. In spite of everything, the Pixel 9a earned greater marks from us than both the iPhone 16e or the Galaxy S24 FE, and the suitable set of adjustments would solely guarantee extra success for the brightly coloured mid-ranger. We additionally bought a glimpse on the Pixel 10a’s horse-themed nickname in the identical leak the place it was instructed the cellphone would preserve final yr’s chipset, in order that’s about as near a assured launch as Google will get.

Maybe the most important query remaining about whether or not or not there will likely be a Pixel 10a is once we’ll truly see it. Google massively shifted its launch date for the Pixel 9a, so it could possibly be even earlier subsequent time round. Right here’s when the previous couple of Pixel A units launched:

• Google Pixel 9a: March 19, 2025
• Google Pixel 8a: Could 7, 2024
• Google Pixel 7a: Could 10, 2023

At that fee, we may see Google’s subsequent launch as early as St. Patrick’s Day or as late as Mom’s Day—solely time will inform.

Typically, once we publish a rumor hub or a wishlist, we debate whether or not or not you must look forward to the subsequent era. This time, although, that doesn’t make a lot sense. Because the Pixel 9a has solely been accessible for 2 months, it feels foolish to inform you to take a seat in your palms and wait virtually a full calendar yr.

As an alternative, I’d say that in case your mid-range cellphone is on its final legs otherwise you’re searching for a fairly priced possibility for a member of the family, you must completely purchase the Pixel 9a. On the finish of my overview, I referred to as it the perfect $500 cellphone I’d ever used, and I stand by that truth. It already has ok cameras and battery life for nearly everybody, and the slimmed-down design feels nice to slide out and in of a pocket.

You may also resolve that ready round for the following mid-range Pixel isn’t for you, during which case I’d advocate both the Galaxy S24 FE ($552.54 at Amazon) or the iPhone 16e ($599 at eBay) as an alternative. The previous picks up a 3rd rear digicam, provides harder Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, and barely sooner charging, whereas the latter, properly, drops to only one rear digicam. It’s not all dangerous information with the iPhone 16e — it nonetheless will get Apple Intelligence and the highly effective A18 chipset, you’ll simply have to regulate to the a lot smaller iPhone 12-like physique.