Google Pixel 10a — the upgrade you can probably skip

Pre-orders for the Pixel 10a also kick off today.

Google just dropped the Pixel 10a in a fresh lineup of colours: Fog, Berry and Lavender. It's also kept the classic Obsidian on the roster once again this year.

Beyond the new pop of paint, the upgrades over the Pixel 9a are pretty subtle, even when considering the completely flat design.

Let's quickly run through prices and availability before diving into the specs, features, and whether it's worth it.

How much does the Google Pixel 10a cost in Australia?

Google is sticking with last year's pricing: $849 for the 128GB model and $999 for the 256GB model.

When do pre-orders for Google's Pixel 10a start?

You can pre-order the Pixel 10a from today, 19 February 2026, through the Google Store and retailers such as JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks and The Good Guys.

You can also get it on a phone plan with Telstra.

Google will also be launching Pixel Buds 2a in new colours - Berry and Fog - to complement its latest A series offering.

Pre-order deals

• Telstra is offering a $300 discount when you sign up to its 12-, 24- or 36-month repayment plan
• Google is giving up to $300 back when you trade in a Pixel 7a in good working condition

When will the Google Pixel 10a be available in Australia?

The Pixel 10a will be on shelves from 5 March. This is when Optus will start selling it too.

Google Pixel 10a specs and features

There isn't a lot that's changed from the Pixel 9a, but I'll call out the differences as I go through the list:

• 6.3-inch display with slimmer bezels and 3000 nits peak brightness - this is 11% brighter than the Pixel 9a
• 60 to 120Hz variable refresh rate. This determines how many times the screen updates per second. Higher means smoother motion, lower saves battery
• 48MP main camera, plus 13MP ultrawide and 13MP selfie cameras, with features such as Macro Focus and Night Sight
• IP68 water and dust protection and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, making it the most durable A series from Google
• 5,100mAh battery. You'll get more than 30 hours of battery life and up to 120 hours with Extreme Battery Saver turned on - this is a boost from last year
• Google Tensor G4 processor and 8GB of RAM
• Satin-finish with 100% recycled aluminium frame and an 81% recycled plastic back cover. According to Google, "the Pixel 10a is made with the most recycled material of any A-series Pixel yet."
• Security and operating system updates for 7 years
• Two-year trial of Satellite SOS for the first time, so you can communicate during emergencies off-grid
• New AI photo tools such as Camera Coach and Auto Best Take

Is the Pixel 10a worth it? Here are my initial thoughts

I fell in love with the Pixel 9a when it launched last year, especially the new camera housing, which sits flush on the back to make the phone feel flatter.

The latest model feels like a slightly more polished twin, so I expect I'll have similar impressions once I try it out.

If you've never owned an A series or are upgrading from a much older model, the Pixel 10a will probably catch your eye too.

Apart from the changes I've already mentioned, Google has also hyped the Pixel 10a's completely flat design.

On its own, it's pretty cool, but the sides of the Pixel 9a's camera pill were already so subtle that the change doesn't make as big an impression as you might expect.

Some other caveats to throw in:

• The Pixel 9a is heavily discounted at just under $650 from retailers like Officeworks, Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi
• You can get the Pixel 10 at a discount from places like Woolworths ($939). It costs a bit more but offers Google's flagship experience

Your decision will come down to how much you want to spend, what deal you find and which specs, features or design calls out to you the most.