Google just dropped the Pixel 10a, and it’s a direct message to anyone tired of the $1,000 smartphone trend. At $499, Google didn’t try to reinvent the wheel—they just fixed the few things that actually annoyed us. The big news? They finally added proper fast charging, letting you hit 50% in just 30 minutes, and the battery life has been tuned to last a staggering 120 hours in saver mode.
Under the hood, it’s a carbon copy of last year’s powerhouse, featuring the Tensor G4 chip, 8GB of RAM, and that crisp 6.3-inch Actua display. It still sports the signature flush-back design, so it won’t wobble like a seesaw when you set it down on a bar top. It’s also tougher than ever, sporting Gorilla Glass 7i and an IP68 rating, which means it can handle a drop in the dirt or a dunk in the pool without breaking a sweat.
The camera hardware remains the same 48MP beast, but the AI is where the magic happens. The new Camera Coach uses Gemini to whisper photography tips in your ear, while the “Add Me” feature lets you merge yourself into group shots after the fact. If you’re looking for the best bang-for-your-buck tech in 2026, grab yours here.
