Google Pixel 10a Introduces AI Features Amid Minimal Hardware Changes

"...Despite similarities to last year’s Pixel 9a, in his review Scott found the few updates to be just as good with the hardware additions improving on Google’s entry level phone...."

"...Priced at $849, the Pixel 10a was built to a budget, launching at the same price as last year’s Pixel 9a, a fairly impressive feat in today’s economic climate...."

"...I’ve been checking out the software side of the Pixel 10a, and taking Google’s ‘brilliant photography, a durable design, and helpful AI’ slogan for the Pixel 10a to heart, testing these over the last couple of weeks...."

"...I have tried the Satellite SMS Demo a number of times, and it failed each time. I’ve tried in multiple places – most notably I spent a couple of hours in the middle of a double oval in a cloudless sky, and it still failed the demo each and every time...."

"...Let’s just hope this one works a little better in real world conditions, but as it connects to emergency services, I’m not ready to waste their time on a test...."

"...It’s pertinent to note that the SMS Satellite test failed on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and PIxel 10 Pro XL as well...."

"...While we all think we can take a great photo, sometimes there’s a better way, and that’s where Camera Coach comes into it...."

"...I can be a lazy photographer, but this was a good way to get you involved in the process – and I’ll remember some of the tips for next time...."

"...The introduction of Best Take on the Pixel 8 was one of those ‘magic’ moments where AI seems to just work...."

"...Able to take faces from variety of shots and seamlessly meld them into a cohesive image where everyone is looking ahead/smiling in the shot is brilliant – then Google introduced Auto Best Take on the Pixel 10 series, and now it’s here on the Pixel 10a...."

"...It’s a mix of Google’s Top Shot and Best Take in Google Photos and while it’s good, it’s also inconsistent. Out of several goes I managed to get one working...."

"...I’m including this as it’s one of my favourite features that just ‘works’ when it comes to the camera, and for once it’s a video feature which Google hasn’t done a lot of as yet...."

"...First announced on the Pixel 8 series, Audio Magic Eraser lets you take more control over ambient noise, with Gemini able to isolate and remove background noise...."

"...It’s a simple process, simply edit the video in Google Photos and find the ‘Audio’ editing options to really take advantage...."

"...The Pixel 10a is a fairly complete phone when it comes to featureset, however the Tensor G4 processor does preclude it from coming up to speed with the main Pixel 10 Series line sporting the newer Tensor G5...."

"...Magic Cue has become a very useful part of my Pixel 10 usage, though it’s still quite hit and miss. It feels like Google needs to ramp up the intensity of Magic Cue so it appears more consistently...."

"...Of the Pixel features ‘missing’ from the Pixel 10a, Pixel Screenshots feels its an oversight...."

"...Alas, it’s missing on the Pixel 10a and with the Pixel 9 sharing the same processor, the limited 8GB of RAM on the Pixel 10a (compared to 12GB on Pixel 9) means this feature is missing, and sadly won’t launch...."

"...The big question is the Pixel 10a worth it to update to?..."

"...At its core the Pixel 10a is a good phone. Scott said it best ‘Same, same, but still brilliant...."

"...Compared to the mainline Pixel 10 series, the Pixel 10a does fall short in terms of what features it comes with...."

"...What it does do well are the core functions we’ve come to know the Pixel 10 for, with the Pixel 10a living up to its core slogan of ‘brilliant photography, a durable design, and helpful AI’’...."

"...The hardware similarities between the Pixel 10a and Pixel 9a makes it hard to recommend updating, but down at the Pixel 7a and below there’s a case to be made if you want the newer AI features...."

"...If you want the latest Pixel series phone on a budget, then the Pixel 10a does have a lot to add...."

"...The refinements in hardware including the brighter display, flat camera bump and the addition of Gorilla Glass to bolster the IP68 dust and water resistance make it a good proposition, and you also now have Satellite SMS for added peace of mind...."

"...Price wise, Google kept the phone at $849 while still adding in a few nifty features and covering it with a 7-year software update schedule so you can keep using it without worrying about security...."