Bloomberg — El smartphone Google’s Pixel 10a is priced at US$499, could not enjoy the attention for a long time. This week, just days before the device’s March 5 release date, Apple Inc. (AAPL) announced the $599 iPhone 17e, which will go on sale on March 11.
The new iPhone, which has yet to be released, seems to offer several advantages over Google’s counterpart: The processor has become more powerful, the phone has built-in magnets for MagSafe charging, and the screen, although not as liquid as the 10a, is more durable and more resistant to scratches. And while Google costs $499, its phone has half the memory of the 17e. (There’s also a $599 version that matches the 256 gigabytes of the base 17e model.)
Read more: Google launches Apple-style suitcase tracking and phone cards on Android
The Pixel has some advantages. It comes in brighter colors, It has a completely flat back, which allows it to fit nicely in a jeans pocket, and, at least for now, it offers built-in AI features that easily surpass Apple’s capabilities. However, Google, owned by Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL), left last year’s 9a so untouched that the 10a seems more rushed than the company’s previous budget models.
The five most notable features of the device are:
Clean lines: This may seem like a minor detail, but compared to other smartphones that have thick camera protrusions (including Google’s own Pixel 10), The completely flat back of the 10a is refreshing to look and feel. The trade-off is that the camera sensor and overall image quality lags behind premium models, producing less detail in low-light conditions. The device also doesn’t have the same dynamic range that high-end phones can capture. Photos and videos are more than suitable for sharing on social networks, that’s what concerns buyers in this price range.
120Hz Liquid Display: The Pixel 10a’s 6.3-inch OLED display refreshes twice as fast as the iPhone 17e, making scrolling is smoother and increases the responsiveness of some mobile games. Not everyone is sensitive to the difference between 60Hz and 120Hz, but it’s hard to go back once you get used to the higher specs.
Special ultra-wide-angle camera: The Pixel 10a beats the iPhone 17e ultra wide angle camera standalone, which is perfect for wide shots while traveling. (The new iPhone only has a main camera lens that can be cropped to take enlarged photos.) That ultra-wide-angle sensor is also good for close-up macro shots, another feature the 17e lacks. Still, the detail and sharpness of the 10a’s photos aren’t quite what you’d expect from more expensive phones.
AI is everywhere: he The Google Gemini AI assistant is accessible with a single button if you need it. For the first time, the company is bringing features like Camera Coach and Auto Best Take to the entry-level A series. Camera Coach uses Gemini models to analyze the scene you’ve captured and offers advice on how to improve composition and get more creative results. When you’re taking group photos with friends, Auto Best Take tries to determine the best shot and, when everyone looks best in different photos, creates a composition.
Typical Pixel features: Although it’s not just the 10a, it’s worth highlighting the often-overlooked benefits of this budget phone. If you often use Voice Transcription to write text messages or emails, Pixels remain unsurpassed in their ability to automatically insert correct punctuation. Google phones are also constantly getting new software features through regular ‘Pixel Drop’ updates. And the Pixel’s sleek, customizable Material 3 Expressive software is bolder and more engaging than what you’ll find on Samsung Electronics Co.’s Android devices. or Motorola from Lenovo Group Ltd.
What are the disadvantages of Pixel10a?
The main downside of the Pixel 10a is how much it stays the same. It has the same Tensor G4 chip as last year’s 9a, breaking with Google’s tradition of equipping the A series with the latest chip. The camera hardware is identical. And while the company says it’s reduced the screen’s black bezels, they’re still noticeably thicker than on more expensive phones.
Another shortcoming of the phone is the lack of built-in magnets for wireless charging and accessories. Even after unveiling the new Pixelsnap product collection for the flagship Pixel 10 line, Google hasn’t mentioned the 10a.
Read more: Google unveils a faster version of Nano Banana, its artificial intelligence image generator
If it’s still not clear, anyone who currently owns a Pixel 9a should not consider getting a 10a. But usually people don’t upgrade these budget smartphones from year to year. They buy the latest version of what they are most familiar with and what allows their smartwatches, headphones, and other devices in the ecosystem to continue to run smoothly. From this point of view, 10a is not a bad option Google promises long-term support with seven years of software updates and security patches.
But if you’re not in love with the idea of a completely flat back, this is a good year to stick with the Pixel you already have, or pick up the Pixel 10 when it goes on sale. Big changes look more likely next year, and even with the slower screen, the iPhone 17e’s updates are more significant than what Google introduced with the Pixel 10a.
Read more at Bloomberg.com
