Google launched the Pixel 10a this week and uh … well, it’s a weird one. Google isn’t a stranger to releasing minor year-over-year smartphone upgrades, but the Pixel 10a takes things to a level we haven’t seen before.
Looking at the Pixel 10a side-by-side with last year’s Pixel 9a, it’s almost impossible to spot any differences — not just in design, but in specs, too. To be blunt, the Pixel 10a is the laziest and most boring Pixel release we’ve ever seen.
That doesn’t necessarily make the Pixel 10a a bad phone, but there are numerous other handsets that are better value for your money. If you’re thinking about picking up the Pixel 10a, here are five other Android phones you should buy instead.
What do you think is the best Google Pixel 10a alternative? 36 votes Google Pixel 9a 14 % Google Pixel 10 14 % Samsung Galaxy S25 FE 28 % Motorola Moto G Stylus (2025) 14 % Nothing Phone 3a Pro 25 % Other (let us know in the comments) 6 %
Google Pixel 9a
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
The most obvious Pixel 10a alternative is the phone it’s so closely mimicking — the Pixel 9a. Although the Pixel 10a is a year newer and should theoretically be a better smartphone, it’s virtually indistinguishable compared to the Pixel 9a.
As hyperbolic as that might sound, I promise it’s not. Both phones have the same Tensor G4 chipset. Both phones have identical display specs. The phones share the same camera sensors, RAM, storage, and battery capacity. Any spec from the Pixel 9a you can think of, it’s probably the same on the Pixel 10a.
So, what in the world is new with the Pixel 10a? It includes a few software features introduced on the Pixel 10 series last year, and while they aren’t available on the Pixel 9a yet, there’s no reason they shouldn’t make their way to that phone in the coming months. The Pixel 10a also has a more durable type of Corning Gorilla Glass, a more flush camera bump, slightly faster charging, and will receive an additional year of software updates compared to the 9a. However, that’s really it.
Google is running numerous pre-order promotions for the Pixel 10a, including trade-in deals and store credits, that help offset its $499 retail price. That said, the Pixel 9a is also often discounted to just $399. If you can find the 9a on sale and you’d rather not bother with the headache of those 10a pre-order promos, the Pixel 9a remains an excellent purchase.
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