A good mid-range smartphone must above all be reliable in daily use: smooth performance, long battery life, decent cameras, a clear display and software support for as long as possible. The Google Pixel 10a was designed exactly with this in mind and is particularly attractive thanks to Google’s software, AI features and the long update guarantee.
During the Amazon Prime Day sale the phone hit a new low price of £375, but the deal didn’t last long and you still had to be a Prime member to get it.
Sometimes we find that a few select prices stay the same after the big sale, but the Pixel 10a does fell even lower to £373saves you one huge 25%. And this isn’t a Prime or even a limited-time deal; it’s simply available to anyone who wants to buy it.
The downside is that the Pixel 10a is only available in Obsidian (black) at this price, with the other three colorways costing £429 at the time of writing. Most 256GB colors are available at £479 (20% discount)but this is slightly higher than the Prime Day price of £455.
The Google Phone is currently available on Amazon with 256 GB storage with a new one Always low price of €455. The recommended retail price is £599, which results in a saving of almost £150, or 25%. It’s the lowest price ever on Amazon, and with the memory crisis it feels like an extra good deal.
Note that this is only in the Berry color as this appears to be the only one left in stock for the deal. Anyone can buy the 128GB for £417 – that’s 16% off – in three different colours. However, it’s not as good as the £375 Prime Day deal, which seems long gone.
In the US? The deals aren’t much to write home about with the 128GB model currently available $424 (15% discount)– in three colorways – or $524 (13% discount) in three colors if you want 256 GB.
What the Google Pixel 10a has to offer
The Google Pixel 10a runs Android 16 and will receive operating system and security updates, as well as Pixel Drops, for seven years. It is powered by the Google Tensor G4, alongside 8 GB of RAM and, in this variant, 128 GB of storage. A Titan M2 security chip is also integrated.
The 6.3-inch Actua display uses pOLED technology with a resolution of 1080 x 2424 pixels at 422ppi. According to the manufacturer, the Smooth Display supports at 60-120 Hz, HDR, full 24-bit color depth and reaches up to 3,000 nits at maximum brightness.
The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i. With dimensions of 153.9 x 73 x 9 mm and a weight of 183 g, the device remains within a size range that is still suitable for everyday use.
Chris Martin / Foundy
Google claims the 5,000mAh battery offers more than 30 hours of battery life. In the extreme energy saving mode, up to 120 hours are possible after a full charge. Using the fast charging feature, the Pixel 10a could reach 50% charge in around 30 minutes, provided a 45-watt or higher USB-C PPS charger is used. This charger is available separately. Wireless charging via the Qi standard is supported.
The camera setup consists of a dual rear camera system with a 48MP wide-angle camera and a 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera, without any camera bump – as you can see below.
It also features an 8x Super Resolution zoom lens and 0.5x and 1x optical zoom. The wide-angle camera offers an aperture of f/1.7, an 82-degree field of view and both optical and electronic image stabilization. The ultra-wide-angle camera has a 120-degree field of view. For selfies, there is a 13-megapixel front camera with an ultra-wide angle of 96.1 degrees.
As usual, Google puts a big emphasis on software when it comes to camera features. Features include Camera Coach, Add Me, Macro Focus, Night Vision, Astrophotography, Portrait Mode, Sharpen, Long Exposure, Real Tone, Panorama, Best Shot, Top Shot and Frequently Photographed Faces.
The Pixel 10a supports Gemini Nano, the built-in AI assistant Gemini, Gemini Live, Gemini Apps, Circle to Search, Live Translation and the Call Assistant. For example, Gemini can help with to-do lists, simplifying daily tasks. You can also edit photos with a few taps, for example by removing objects or changing backgrounds.
Chris Martin / Foundy
As for the design, Google highlights a matte back with a satin aluminum frame, a fingerprint-resistant coating, and IP68-rated dust and water resistance.
Anyone who buys the Pixel 10a will also get 100GB of Google One cloud storage for free for 3 months, as well as a 3-month trial subscription to YouTube Premium.
Why this offer is worth it
For £373, the Google Pixel 10a is an exciting deal as you get a new mid-range mobile phone with a very long update cycle, a good screen, solid camera capabilities and plenty of Google features. User reviews are generally positive, praising the in-hand feel, performance, camera quality, battery life, value for money, as well as ease of use and operation. Opinions are divided about the compactness of the device.
However, the offer is not entirely without disadvantages. In our review, the Pixel 10a certainly impressed with great software, including long-term support, an excellent screen, an attractive design without a camera bump, and good cameras.
We are critical of the fact that there are virtually no new features compared to its predecessor, Qi2 magnetic charging is missing and the processor no longer feels quite up to standard. That said, the Pixel 9a – which is a year older – is only slightly cheaper. Therefore, choose the latest model.
This article originally appeared in our sister publication PC WELT and was translated and adapted from German.
