Google launches Pixel 10a with more durability, longer life and brilliant photography

After effectively pre-announcing it earlier this month, Google has today taken the wraps of the latest in its line of budget-friendly A-series devices with the Pixel 10a available to pre-order today. 

Described as a phone with brilliant photography, a durable design and helpful AI, Google has kept the Pixel 10a at the same $849 price point, and added in new features including a 2-year Satellite SOS trial – a first for the A-series phones, giving you the ability to connect with emergency services even when you’re without Wi-Fi or mobile coverage.

Under the hood, the Pixel 10a has the same Tensor G4 processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage as last year’s model, but with a slightly more refined design featuring a new bumpless camera that sits flush with the flat profile of the phone.. 

The rear has a textured matte finish with a satin metal frame giving it a premium feel, even on a mid-range series phone and it comes in two new colours: Lavender and Berry, to go alongside the usual Black and White (Called Fog this year) colour choices – and of course, there are cases to match!

The phone is more environmentally friendly this year, using recycled cobalt, copper, gold, and tungsten for the first time, as well as a recycled aluminium frame and 100% plastic-free packaging. 

The Pixel 10a is more durable this time around. After introducing IP68 dust and water resistance to the A-series last year, the Pixel 10a now includes Corning Gorilla Glass 7i on the display, adding improved scratch and drop resistance. 

The 6.3” Actua Display is brighter this year, matching the 3000 nits peak brightness of the main Pixel 10 line, giving you one of the brightest displays on a handset – especially at this end of the market. 

While the battery remains at 5100mAh, Google has managed to eke out some performance savings on power, with a projected 120-hour battery life. There is the addition of fast charging, if you purchase Google’s supported charger (sold separately).

The Pixel 10a uses the same camera system as last year’s model, with a 48MP main camera and a 13MP ultrawide in that bumpless camera island on the rear, with full support for Macro Mode and Google’s much vaunted Night Sight low-light photography, which also supports Astrophotography for some truly stunning shots. 

The Google AI smarts are of course in your Pixel 10a camera, with features including Auto-edit, including editing with voice – letting you simply ask the phone to change things, as well as Auto Best Take, which will automatically edit faces with everyone’s best look, and Camera Coach, which guides you step-by-step through taking better photos. 

At its core, the Pixel 10a will launch with Android 16, and comes with the same update security as the rest of the line, with Google promising seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates, giving you some nifty new features each month – like the ability to AirDrop to Apple devices that recently appeared. 

We’ll be taking a closer look at the Pixel 10a in the lead-up to launch, but you can pre-order it from today if you want to get in early, with the phone going on sale on March 5th. 

You can pre-order online through the Google Store and through retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks and The Good Guys. Telstra will take pre-orders today, while Optus will launch the phone on March 5th.