6 adjustments I hope Google makes to the Pixel 10a

As a large fan of the

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

Pixel 9a
this yr, and it did not disappoint. It took every part I beloved in regards to the 8a and made it even higher — akin 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 discipline, such because the $600

iPhone 16e
. Whereas the Pixel 9a gives quite a lot of worth for cash, there are some issues I feel Google can enhance on for subsequent yr’s launch, which is able to make the telephone much more enticing to price range customers.

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

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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 might 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 will probably 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 at all times 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’d view that as a win. Any glass that’s newer, more durable, and extra sturdy for the Pixel 10a could be a win in my e book. It is time to go away Gorilla Glass 3 behind. Funds customers deserve reliable, fashionable glass screens as properly.

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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 quite a bit proper (like its OLED panel and 120Hz refresh charge), 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 is perhaps wishful considering on my half as a result of telephone’s price range nature, however I can dream, even when it is only a millimeter.

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4

Faster charging speeds

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

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

Clearly, battery dimension is not a difficulty. Nevertheless, charging speeds are. The Pixel 9a’s wired charging velocity 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 velocity 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 velocity much like the Pixel 9. Admittedly, it is not that a lot sooner, which makes me consider that Google may act on this with out impeding the telephone’s price. The mid-range OnePlus 13R, which is $600, has a wired charging velocity of as much as 80 watts, so asking Google for as much as 27 watts on the Pixel 10a appears honest.

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3

Convey again the digicam bar

The Pixel 9’s digicam bar makes it distinct

One of many largest adjustments to the Pixel 9a this yr is the elimination of the telephone’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 assume it could be good to see the digicam bar return for the Pixel 10a. Aesthetically, I consider it appears to be like higher and would give the Pixel 10a its distinctive identification again. The Pixel 9a’s flat digicam design makes the telephone look a bit like a generic, boring slab.

It will 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 yr maintains the identical digicam design because the Pixel 9 sequence.

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2

Extra RAM, please

Give folks 12GB of RAM Google

The Pixel 9a has 8GB of RAM, the identical because the Pixel 8a. It will 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 telephone, akin to the lack to make use of the Pixel Screenshots app out there on the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional, which is powered by a neighborhood Gemini AI mannequin that eats up sources.

The Pixel 9a gives the identical seven-year software program replace assure as its flagship counterparts, so over time, that 8GB of RAM will develop into much more of a burden for the mid-range telephone. 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 telephone’s longevity.

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1

Add an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor

It’s going to make the telephone simpler to unlock

Certainly one of my favourite points 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 far 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 telephone. It is cheaper, does not seize as a lot element, and struggles if the fingerprint is obscured by one thing (akin to water or dust) 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 larger 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 may pull it off on a $500 Pixel 10a if it wished to.

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