So the rumors were true: the new affordable Google Pixel 10a ships with the company’s in-house Tensor G4 processor. That’s the same chip that powered last year’s Pixel 9 flagships and the budget-oriented Pixel 9a, but not the latest chip found in the flagship Google Pixel 10 series.
We’re used to new Pixel releases shipping with new silicon, even in budget segments, so this decision marks the end of business-as-usual for Google’s new affordable model. Still, there’s no reason to let last year’s chip dissuade you from casting an eye over what else the Pixel 10a has to offer. At least not on its own.
Is the Pixel 10 worth $200 more than the 10a? 418 votes Yes, easily 40 % No, the 10a is enough 32 % Only if it’s on sale 28 %
Not the best, but better than most
Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
Google’s silicon has never been a benchmark topper, but the Tensor series has consistently landed on the right side of “good enough” for the current generation. It’s a cliche to point out these days, but modern smartphone processors are more than potent enough for our day-to-day tasks, and Google’s hardware configuration is certainly still more than a match for other chipsets found at the Pixel 10a’s price point. The Pixel 10a will run rings around the identically priced Samsung Galaxy A56 and its Exynos 1580 chip, particularly in gaming. That’s tough to complain about.
Still, if you can’t help but look at the Pixel 10 series with envy, it’s also worth remembering what the newer Tensor G5 offers and what it doesn’t.
Certainly, the newer chip looks better in benchmarks; the chip is up to 35% faster than the G4 when fully loaded, which can be significant. While benchmarks are based on real-world algorithms, how those larger numbers translate into actual experiences is often subtler. Browsing the web or flicking through reels doesn’t feel noticeably different on the Tensor G4 or G5. At best, an app might open up a fraction of a second faster — which would be very hard to tell without a side-by-side comparison. Instead, more likely to notice the difference in demanding applications like on-device video rendering, significant multi-tasking, or running desktop applications, which is usually a bit outside the use case for a mid-range phone.
It might be older, but the G4 is still better than most other mid-range chips.
Of course, it’s not just about performance. The Tensor G4 leaves a few other next-gen improvements off the table, including the G5’s slightly smaller and more efficient 3nm process and fourth-generation AI Tensor TPU. However, the G4 is still very modern, sporting a still efficient 4nm manufacturing process and Google’s in-house imaging and AI smarts that were good enough for last generation’s flagship. Given the extra cash you’d have to stump up for the Pixel 10 from the 10a, those benefits are not necessarily worth it — at least not when looking at the processor in isolation. The A series is always designed to be functional first, and the Tensor G4 remains well-positioned to deliver on that.
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