6 adjustments I hope Google makes to the Pixel 10a

As an enormous fan of the

Pixel 8a
final 12 months, I used to be very excited in regards to the launch of the

Pixel 9a
this 12 months, and it did not disappoint. It took every thing I liked in regards to the 8a and made it even higher — equivalent to a sooner processor, larger battery, and a bigger show.

For $500, the Pixel 9a is undoubtedly the best mid-range phone in the marketplace, destroying its competitors within the subject, such because the $600

iPhone 16e
. Whereas the Pixel 9a gives a whole lot of worth for cash, there are some issues I feel Google can enhance on for subsequent 12 months’s launch, which is able to make the cellphone much more engaging to finances customers.

Whereas there aren’t many rumors surrounding the Pixel 10a simply but, listed below are a number of adjustments I feel Google might make to the cellphone to construct upon the success of the Pixel 9a. I perceive {that a} $500 mid-range cellphone can solely get so a lot better on account of price, however I feel these adjustments could be cheap to anticipate for a possible $500 Pixel 10a in 2026.

Associated

The Pixel 9a is so much better than the iPhone 16e, it’s not even close

So far as 2025 mid-range smartphones go, the Pixel 9a beats the competitors by a major margin.

6

Improved Corning show glass

A glass improve is lengthy overdue

The Pixel 9a makes use of Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which Corning first launched in 2013. Whereas it’s pretty scratch-resistant and sturdy, it could possibly be a lot better, and it is lastly time for Google’s mid-range handset to obtain a much-needed glass improve. By the point the Pixel 10a presumably launches in 2026, Gorilla Glass 3 might be 13 years previous.

The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional each function Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, launched by Corning in 2022. It’s newer, considerably stronger, exceptionally scratch-resistant, and a lot better at withstanding lengthy drops than Gorilla Glass 3.

Value is all the time on my thoughts with the Pixel A sequence, so even when Google opted for Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 1, which got here out in 2020, I might view that as a win. Any glass that’s newer, harder, and extra sturdy for the Pixel 10a could be a win in my ebook. It is time to depart Gorilla Glass 3 behind. Finances customers deserve reliable, fashionable glass screens as nicely.

Associated

5 reasons I’m not excited about the iPhone 17 (even though I wish I was)

From the design to options, nothing in regards to the iPhone 17 screams must-upgrade proper now

5

Sleeker display bezels

The Pixel 9a’s bezels are an eyesore

Staying on the Pixel 9a’s show, I consider many individuals would agree that its thick bezels are considerably of an eyesore. The Pixel 9a’s show will get lots proper (like its OLED panel and 120Hz refresh fee), so I will not harp on the bezels an excessive amount of, however I do really feel that is one space the place the iPhone 16e and the

OnePlus 13R
have a bonus over the Pixel 9a.

In all equity, you do not discover the bezels as a lot over time. Nevertheless, aesthetically, it could be preferable in the event that they had been slimmed down for the Pixel 10a, so it aligns extra carefully with the Pixel 9. This may be wishful considering on my half as a result of cellphone’s finances nature, however I can dream, even when it is only a millimeter.

Associated

Is the iPhone 15 still worth buying in 2025? The answer is complicated

Probably, however you should not get one straight from Apple.

4

Faster charging speeds

The Pixel 9a’s battery is spectacular, however the charging pace is not

Google has outdone itself with the Pixel 9a’s battery measurement. This 12 months, the corporate packed a 5,100mAh battery into the Pixel 9a, the most important battery in a Pixel cellphone but, surpassing the Pixel 9 Professional XL’s 5,060mAh battery.

Clearly, battery measurement is not a problem. Nevertheless, charging speeds are. The Pixel 9a’s wired charging pace is 23 watts, and its wi-fi charging solely pulls a meager 7.5 watts. The Pixel 9, which has a 4,700mAh battery, has a 27-watt wired charging pace and as much as 15 watts of wi-fi charging if paired with Google’s Pixel Stand 2 wi-fi charger.

The Pixel 10a would profit from an elevated charging pace just like the Pixel 9. Admittedly, it isn’t that a lot sooner, which makes me consider that Google might act on this with out impeding the cellphone’s price. The mid-range OnePlus 13R, which is $600, has a wired charging pace of as much as 80 watts, so asking Google for as much as 27 watts on the Pixel 10a appears honest.

Associated

I used the Pixel 9a and OnePlus 13R for a week, and the winner is obvious

Mid-range Android telephones are peaking, and these two present how far they’ve come.

3

Deliver again the digicam bar

The Pixel 9’s digicam bar makes it distinct

One of many greatest adjustments to the Pixel 9a this 12 months is the elimination of the cellphone’s digicam bar. The Pixel 6a, 7a, and 8a have a really distinct digicam bar look. After I see them, a minimum of in my eyes, I instantly acknowledge them as Pixel smartphones; the Pixel 9a simply is not the identical with its new flat digicam design.

I perceive the advantages of the Pixel 9a’s new digicam design, such because it being simpler to pocket and lie flat on a desk. Nevertheless, as controversial as this can be, I genuinely suppose it could be good to see the digicam bar return for the Pixel 10a. Aesthetically, I consider it appears higher and would give the Pixel 10a its distinctive id again. The Pixel 9a’s flat digicam design makes the cellphone look a bit like a generic, boring slab.

It might be good to see some variation of the Pixel 9’s digicam bar on the Pixel 10a, particularly if the

Pixel 10 series
later this 12 months maintains the identical digicam design because the Pixel 9 sequence.

Associated

5 reasons why I recommend the Pixel 9a over the Pixel 9 to most people

Google’s newest mid-range Android cellphone, the Pixel 9a, is strong sufficient to carry its personal towards the costlier Pixel 9.

2

Extra RAM, please

Give individuals 12GB of RAM Google

The Pixel 9a has 8GB of RAM, the identical because the Pixel 8a. It might be good to see Google improve it to 12GB of RAM for the Pixel 10a, particularly because the firm is more likely to proceed pushing extra Gemini AI options that may eat RAM.

The Pixel 9a’s 8GB of RAM already presents some limitations for the cellphone, equivalent to the shortcoming to make use of the Pixel Screenshots app obtainable on the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional, which is powered by a neighborhood Gemini AI mannequin that eats up assets.

The Pixel 9a gives the identical seven-year software program replace assure as its flagship counterparts, so over time, that 8GB of RAM will turn out to be much more of a burden for the mid-range cellphone. If the Pixel 10a has 12GB of RAM, it could be higher geared up for dealing with native AI duties, higher at multitasking, and total enhance the cellphone’s longevity.

Associated

Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a: How the two mid-rangers stack up

Google has simply introduced its newest mid-range smartphone, the Pixel 9a – this is how the system compares with its predecessor.

1

Add an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor

It would make the cellphone simpler to unlock

Considered one of my favourite facets of the Pixel 9 is its ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. In comparison with the optical fingerprint sensor discovered within the Pixel 9a and the Pixel 8a, ultrasonic fingerprint sensors are way more dependable for unlocking telephones in low-light environments, in addition to when your fingers are moist or soiled, and it could be handy to have on the Pixel 10a.

An optical fingerprint sensor makes use of a specialised digicam to seize a picture of your fingerprint to unlock the cellphone. It is cheaper, would not seize as a lot element, and struggles if the fingerprint is obscured by one thing (equivalent to water or filth) because the digicam cannot learn it accurately.

In distinction, ultrasonic fingerprint sensors use inaudible sound pulses to scan your fingerprint. They seize the print in higher element, recording all its ridges, and can be utilized in darkish environments and with moist or soiled fingers. Ultrasonic fingerprint readers are costlier to implement than optical fingerprint sensors, so this can be one other far-fetched dream. Nonetheless, I consider Google might pull it off on a $500 Pixel 10a if it needed to.

Associated

The Pixel 9a isn’t perfect, and these 5 flaws prove it

The Pixel 9a simply would not supply sufficient to compete with right this moment’s mid-range telephones.