The Google Pixel 10a might be essentially the most boring telephone 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 often rolls out the A-series within the first half of the yr following a flagship launch. For reference, the Pixel 7a arrived in Might 2023, the Pixel 8a in Might 2024, and the Pixel 9a dropped in April final yr. This yr, it appears to be like just like the Pixel 10a may arrive even earlier.

In line with a submit by leaker Roland Quandt on Bluesky, the Pixel 10a is anticipated to launch in mid-February (through Android Authority). If true, that may 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 telephone can be accessible in two storage choices, 128GB and 256GB, and are available in 4 colours: Obsidian, Berry, Fog, and Lavender.

Whereas it is good that the Pixel 10a might 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 might be a copy-and-paste of the Pixel 9a

With refined modifications

Again in December, there was a fairly substantial leak concerning the Pixel 10a, courtesy of dependable leaker @evleaks, who shared a screenshot exhibiting the telephone 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 foremost 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 experiences counsel the Pixel 10a will use the identical Tensor G4 chip because the 9a, simply clocked barely larger, as an alternative of leaping to the Tensor G5. Often, A-series telephones get the identical chipset because the flagship, however this yr, Google is likely to be taking a special strategy, presumably to chop prices.

Leaked renders from Android Headlines additionally present the Pixel 10a wanting virtually an identical 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 almost an identical and the one actual variations are colour choices, it is sensible why Google may launch the Pixel 10a so early in February. Final yr, Google utterly 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 may make for a fairly underwhelming launch.

If you happen to’ve been ready to improve, the Pixel 10a may nonetheless be value it — particularly should you’re on an older gadget just like the Pixel 6a or 7a, and Google retains the value at $500. However should you’re on a decent finances, the Pixel 9a remains to be a strong 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 fallacious and the Pixel 10a has just a few surprises in retailer. However proper now, it is wanting more and more probably that the telephone might be fairly boring, given how closely it is rumored to carefully mirror the Pixel 9a.