Google's Pixel 10A Launch: $499 Price, New Colors, AirDrop Compatibilty

Google's $499 Pixel 10A has quite a bit in common with last year's Pixel 9A. Enough so that you might be considering getting the Pixel 9A at a discounted price now that the 10A is going to replace it. Or you might be wondering whether the Pixel 10A has enough new features to move from an earlier phone like the Pixel 8A or 7A.

Nicole Lee has compared the phone's new specs with prior-generation models for us, so you can see what's different and decide whether the 10A has enough to justify an upgrade. The 10A's biggest highlights are a slightly faster charging speed, an improved display and support for new features like Quick Share to send photos to an iPhone. However, many of the 10A's core features, such as the processor and cameras, are identical to last year's 9A.

Check out the full comparison between the Pixel 10A, 9A, 8A and 7A for more details.

AT&T's Pixel 10A deals include a low price on the just-announced Google phone and an addition to listen to music while you check out the Pixel 10A's new features.

• The Pixel 10A costs $4 a month with any unlimited plan. No trade-in is required.
• Through March 4, customers who buy the Pixel 10A online can get a free pair of Google Pixel Buds 2A.
• AT&T Business customers can get the Pixel 10A for $1 a month on a two-year service commitment.

Be sure to check out all of the Pixel 10A offers that the CNET Deals team is putting together. And if you're shopping for new phone plans, we've got opinions about those, too.

Now that the Pixel 10A is official, the major carriers have revealed their deals for getting Google's latest phone. Here's what Verizon and its prepaid brands are offering:

• If you're a new or existing Verizon customer, you can get a Pixel 10A for $0 by adding a new smartphone line on the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plan. Those come with a three-year price lock.
• Verizon Business customers can get the Pixel 10A (128GB configuration) for $0 with a qualifying My Biz or Business Unlimited plan.
• If the Pixel 10 Pro looks like a more attractive option, you can get a 128GB model with a new line and qualifying purchase on select Unlimited plans with no trade-in required.
• Customers of Verizon's Visible, Straight Talk and Total Wireless brands get special pricing on the Pixel 10A, according to Verizon (some deals do not appear to be available yet).

The CNET Deals team is collecting Pixel 10A offers in one place, so be sure to check out all the options.

During the lead-up to the launch of a new phone like the Pixel 10A, we focus on details such as cameras, battery size and price. At $499, the Pixel 9A fell squarely in the affordable range of the phone spectrum, and the Pixel 10A is keeping that pricing.

But how many people buy the whole phone at once? That loud murmur you hear is the sound of the major and minor cellular carriers concocting deals to get the Pixel 10A for free or at reduced costs if you sign up for their phone plans. 

To get a peek, just look at the currently available deals on the Pixel 9A. Granted, the 9A has been on the market for a year, but if a brand new Pixel 10A entices you to switch to a different carrier or jump to a new plan with more features, you can bet the companies will be there to hold your hand.

When it comes to breaking down the plans, we can help, too. Don't miss our comparisons of T-Mobile and Verizon, AT&T and Verizon and our rundown of the overall best phone plans in 2026.

Google's Pixel 10A just launched Wednesday morning, with the company fully unveiling the lower-cost member of the Pixel 10 line. Like the Pixel 9A, the phone will cost $499 for the 128GB model and $599 for the 256GB model.

I got an early hands-on with the new Google phone, and though it is very similar to the Pixel 9A in terms of design, the 10A improves with faster 30-watt charging speeds using a 45W charging adapter, satellite connectivity for emergency communications, and the phone's Quick Share function can be used to send photos and files over AirDrop to an iPhone.

Check out my Pixel 10A hands-on here for the full breakdown of the new phone.

When I reviewed the Pixel 9A, the feature that stood out to me the most was Gemini Live -- specifically the camera option that let Gemini "see" what I pointed the phone at. I remember putting a cup of coffee down on a desk in CNET's office while testing Gemini Live and truly forgetting where I left it. (We'd just moved into the office a week or so prior and had a lot of boxes.) So I asked Gemini, and Gemini told me exactly where it was. While this feature works on a number of Android phones, I was using one that cost $499. If the Pixel 10A is as similar to the Pixel 9A as rumors suggest, AI might be its best feature, too.

While Google hasn't announced the Pixel 10A's price, the company is sending promo codes to those who signed up on the Google Store, offering $50 to $150 off, according to a report by Android Authority. A Reddit thread showcases people sharing the discounts that Google sent them ahead of the Pixel 10A's official launch on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The story also notes that one of the staffers at Android Authority received the promotional email, and it had a code for $100 off.

We are hours away from the official launch of the Google Pixel 10A, but that hasn't stopped last minute rumors and leaks. WinFuture's Roland Quandt shared a leaked Pixel 10A French ad on BlueSky, as reported by 9To5 Google. The ad shows two Pixel 10A features: Camera Coach (or "de Coach Photo" in French) and the phone's battery.

Camera Coach debuted on the Pixel 10 series and uses Gemini AI in the camera app to offer step-by-step suggestions to improve your photography. I'm an experienced photographer but enjoyed testing Camera Coach on the Pixel 10 Pro because it pushed me out of my comfort zone and really made me engage with the process of taking a photo. I imagine someone who is relatively new to photography would get even more out of it. So it's nice to see that it will be on Google's most affordable phone.

In terms of the Pixel 10A's battery, the video says that it should last up to 30 hours on a charge. That is exactly what Google said about the Pixel 9A. According to specs leaked earlier this week of a carrier page (that has since been taken down), the 10A will have the same Tensor G4 chip and 5,100-mAh battery as the 9A. So it makes sense that it'd last the same on a single charge. When I reviewed the Pixel 9A, I found that the battery lasted a full day on a single charge. And in CNET's battery tests it's battery life was good. It scored the same as the $1,300 Galaxy S25 Ultra but was behind the $400 Motorola Moto G Stylus (2025), $599 iPhone 16E and $799 Pixel 10.

C'est la vie.

We're looking ahead to tomorrow, but until Google officially announces the Pixel 10A, there's always an opportunity to look back. After Prakhar Khanna recently went on a photowalk with an iPhone 7 Plus from 2016 and an iPhone 17 Pro Max from 2025, I wondered what the Pixel equivalent was like 10 years ago.

That puts us back to the original Pixel and Pixel XL. This was before giant camera plateaus and Google's signature "visor" camera array. At the time, Google said the Pixel and Pixel XL had the best camera on a phone, ever. Vanessa Hand Orellana took it out with an iPhone 7 Plus at the time to test the claims. You can view a gallery of the results here.

We can't yet compare the Pixel XL with a Pixel 10A -- both because the new one isn't out yet, and because we'd need to scrounge up a Pixel XL -- but since the cameras are rumored to be similar to the Pixel 9A, you can get an idea of how they've advanced by looking at Patrick Holland's review of the Pixel 9A.

Consider a phone launch event like Wednesday's Google Pixel 10A announcement. The company has likely been working for weeks on product imagery, refining press releases and other messaging and helping carriers, along with stores, get ready. Despite a few official teases, details are under wraps. All this is done in the service of making a big splash to garner attention.

And then two partners pull the trigger early and post everything early.

That's the case with US-based Tracfone (owned by Verizon) and Belgian retailer Vanden Borre, both of which made their Pixel 10A pages live on Tuesday. As spotted by Phone Arena, the pages reveal all the details, such as dual 48-megapixel and 13-megapixel rear cameras, a 5,100-mAh battery, Google Tensor G4 processor and a base storage of 128GB. Trackfone appears to have taken its post down as of this writing, but Vanden Borre's is still up.

To be sure, I still won't accept everything until it's officially announced -- not because I think the information is wrong, but because it's healthier to be skeptical in the run-up to an announcement.

The next question is: Will Google surprise us with something else Wednesday?

While the Pixel 10A's big reveal is tomorrow, Google's already giving out a $100 discount on the new phone. Anyone who signs up on Google's Pixel 10A store listing can receive a code for the discount, valid through March 11.

While we'll likely learn the official pricing for the Pixel 10A during the company's Wednesday event, that code will be a quick way to knock off a sizable chunk.

Last year, I did a camera test between the Pixel 9A and iPhone 16E and found that both phones have their shortcomings in photography. I don't think most people choose an affordable phone solely based on the camera's performance, but you can be assured that you'll be able to take decent snaps on both, with some images bordering on looking great. The iPhone 16E costs more and lacks an ultrawide lens, though its pictures are decent. By comparison, I think the Pixel 9A's cameras are great for a $500 phone and I'd likely opt for it.

I bring this up because the Pixel 10A is rumored to have the same cameras as the 9A, according to the German tech site WinFuture. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

For more on affordable phone cameras, read my full Pixel 9A vs. iPhone 16E camera comparison.

By the time Google actually launches the Pixel 10A, we're going to know everything about it. As covered by GSM Arena, German tech site WinFuture reports that the Pixel 10A will have a Gorilla Glass 7I screen instead of the Gorilla Glass 3 that's on the Pixel 9A. The 10A will also support 45W fast charging, like the Pixel 10 Pro XL. It's faster than the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro's 30W charging and Pixel 9A's 23W charging. It really does seem that the Pixel 10A will be nearly identical to the Pixel 9A.

We're a day away from the Pixel 10A being launched, and a carrier's product page gives us more details about the new Google phone. Tracfone, a sub-brand of Verizon, has a product page for the next A-series phone with specs that are identical to last year's Pixel 9A. As spotted by 9To5 Google, the Pixel 10A will have a 5,100-mAh battery, a 2,424x1,080-pixel resolution display and weigh 6.52 ounces. That is the same size battery and same resolution as the Pixel 9A, though it does appear that the 10A is lighter by 0.08 ounces (a few grams).

Below is my Pixel 9A review video from TikTok. I love the Pixel 9A, so I'd understand if Google made the Pixel 10A just like it. Take a look:

Flashback to 2021 when Apple announced FaceTime for Android: People were dancing in the streets, dogs and cats started getting along, and world peace spontaneously broke out. Yeah, none of that happened. Apple just gave iPhone owners the ability to share links with people using an Android phone or a Windows PC, so they could use a browser to join a FaceTime call. But "FaceTime for web browsers" just isn't as catchy as "FaceTime for Android."

Google has caused a little confusion around its claims that the upcoming Pixel 10A supports FaceTime. On the company's store page for the 10A, an earlier version showed a photo with text that read, "Keep video chatting, even with FaceTime." The FaceTime mention, which is no longer on the page, was in a section showing reasons for an iPhone owner to switch to a Pixel phone.

But, like 2021, this isn't FaceTime on the Pixel. It's just that a Pixel owner -- like anyone else on an Android phone -- can join a FaceTime video call if an iPhone owner sends them a link.

The Pixel 9A included some neat new AI tools, but as CNET Managing Editor Patrick Holland noted in his review last year, the phone's best feature was its value at $499. It's possible that Google increases the price of the Pixel 10A, but we haven't heard rumors that it will. If it stays the same, that would make the phone even more valuable -- because smartphones are likely to get even pricier this year due to the RAM shortage.

As the tech industry scrambles to build generative AI data centers, the price of RAM has skyrocketed, and not just for laptops and PCs. While phone-makers weathered the storm of tariffs last year without passing on price increases to consumers, that may not be the case in 2026, and experts expect handsets to get more expensive.

That means the Pixel 10A, if it launches at $499, looks even better compared to phones that come out later this year with price hikes over their predecessors. Time will tell whether phone-makers can once again absorb costs, but even if they do, everything else is getting more expensive -- keeping Google's phone just as affordable could make it even more attractive.

In CNET's review of the Pixel 9A, we dinged the affordable phone because it lacks the hardware to communicate with satellites in emergencies. 

But that was a year ago.

Since then, T-Mobile's T-Satellite service has come online, and with it, support for the Pixel 9A. That's because T-Satellite doesn't rely on specific chips in the phone; it connects via a small slice of 4G LTE spectrum that most modern phones (going back six years or so) can use. The T-Satellite device compatibility page lists the Pixel 9A, but notes that it can only send and receive text messages. It can't handle images or passing along data for apps that have been optimized for satellite communication.

If you find yourself in situations where satellite texting is helpful -- in remote areas where cellular infrastructure is spotty, for example -- this is good news. And you don't need to be a T-Mobile subscriber to take advantage of T-Satellite: it can be added as a separate feature in the Pixel 9A's eSIM for $10 a month.

Now that satellite technology is maturing, hopefully the Pixel 10A will be able to connect to Google's Satellite SOS. But if not, and it sticks with the same cellular features as the Pixel 9A, it's good to know there's another satellite option.

Until we see the actual reveal of the Pixel 10A on Feb. 18, we're left scrutinizing Google's teaser video, Zapruder-style. And the first thing that stood out to me is what may not be standing out at all: the camera bump. 

Patrick already commented here that the Pixel 9A's camera array seemed too minimal, but from the looks of a few frames in the teaser, it looks as if the cameras on the Pixel 10A might be fully flush with the case.

I'm eyeballing the video frame by frame, and in some of the angles, there's a faint shadow indicating a minuscule bump like the Pixel 9A -- so perhaps not completely flush. Given that the lavender phones are most certainly computer-generated renders, not real-life units, it's difficult to tell.

But it's an interesting design point to ponder. Because cameras have become so integral to mobile phones, we've accepted camera bumps as the cost of creating decent photos. If Google has managed to shave off even the millimeter or so that stuck out on the Pixel 9A -- without sacrificing image quality -- that's a noteworthy design aspect right there. 

We've talked about the appeal of thin designs on the iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge in the context of charging premium prices for the sake of slimness. What if Google managed to remove the bump entirely on the Pixel 10A? I can see how someone looking for a phone in the Pixel's price range would choose a smooth flat phone over something else that wobbles when you poke it.

Google teased the Pixel 10A in a video but didn't have much in the way of details about the new phone. It made me wonder about its battery life. When I reviewed the Pixel 9A last year, I was excited because it had a 5,100-mAh battery, the largest on any Pixel phone at the time – significantly larger than 2024's Pixel 8A. As of today, the Pixel 10 Pro XL's 5,200-mAh battery holds that title. But compared with 8A, the Pixel 9A also had a bigger screen that maxed out at 2,700-nit brightness, a more powerful processor and onboard AI processing.

In CNET's 45-minute endurance battery drain test, the Pixel 9A dropped from a full battery to 95%, the same as the Pixel 8A. In our 3-hour streaming battery test, the Pixel 9A didn't fare well and dropped by 22% over 3 hours, a step down from the Pixel 8A's 17% drop.

It's unclear how big the battery in the Pixel 10A will be or how much battery life it'll get.

As we wait for the Pixel 10A, I want to revisit what really stood out to me when I reviewed the Pixel 9A last year. There were four things in particular. The screen was bright, which was such a nice improvement over previous Pixel A models. The cameras consistently took good photos, especially given the phone's $499 starting price. The Pixel 9A came with Gemini Live Video, which allows you to share a view from the camera with Google's AI and start a conversation about what's in the frame. 

The Pixel 9A was a major redesign featuring a flat, squared-off look, which felt incredibly solid and well-made when I held it. And my fourth favorite thing was that Google kept the price under $500, which is all the more impressive when juxtaposed with Trump's tariffs that had been announced around the same time as the release and Apple's $599 "affordable" iPhone 16E.

It's unclear whether the rumored Pixel 10A will come with Pixelsnap or not. What is Pixelsnap, you ask? Well, it's basically MagSafe charging for Android phones. What is MagSafe, you ask? It's wireless charging at 15 to 25 watts for the iPhone, and there are embedded magnets in the phone to help keep the charger and phone in the best possible position for efficient charging. You can also add magnetic accessories like a wallet, a charging back, a tripod mount and more, thanks to those magnets. Having a universal standard for MagSafe and Pixelsnap ensures you can mix and match your accessories.

I hope Google includes it on the Pixel 10A. It's that one extra feature that'd help the 10A stand out from the Pixel 9A. Otherwise, you'll probably be able to get a third-party case with magnets for attaching these accessories instead.

I took the photo above with the Pixel 9A's 13-megapixel camera. This is a $499 phone (though you can buy it now for $350 at Best Buy). The scene has a lot of contrast and a wide dynamic range (from the brightest to the darkest). And the Pixel 9A's photo captured it all and looks close to real life.

This isn't the best ultrawide camera I've used -- I'm a fan of the Galaxy S25 Ultra's ultrawide -- but for under $500, it's actually quite good. I mean, the $599 iPhone 16E doesn't even have an ultrawide.

If rumors about the Pixel 10A having the same cameras are true, I think that's wonderful news. After all, both the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro Fold have similar camera hardware to the Pixel 9A.

Last year's Pixel 9A launched at $499, well below the $799 price of the Pixel 10. It was also more affordable than the $599 iPhone 16E, which became the cheapest phone in Apple's lineup. Rumors suggest that Apple may release the iPhone 17E soon, and since it very likely wouldn't be any cheaper than its predecessor, it's up to Google whether the Pixel 10A will retain its price advantage over its iOS rival. 

A lot of that depends on the role Google intends for the Pixel 10A in its lineup. The Pixel 9A was a cheaper option with fewer features than its pricier sibling, the Pixel 9. But if the company decides to add more perks from its flagship, perhaps in response to consumer feedback for a more capable device, they may need to subsequently raise the price and put the handset in more direct competition with the iPhone 17E. A more expensive Pixel 10A also gives consumers fewer reasons to pick it over the Pixel 10.

For a better idea of how Google's and Apple's next more affordable phones compare, check out how their last versions stacked up in our Google Pixel 9A vs. iPhone 16E write-up.

Google's Pixel 10 phones received an update in November that allowed Android's Quick Share feature to work with Apple's AirDrop, and it's looking like more devices will soon get this ability too. 

According to Android Authority, Google Vice President of Engineering for Android Eric Kay said that this AirDrop compatibility will be arriving to more Android devices in 2026.

"Last year, we launched AirDrop interoperability. In 2026, we're going to be expanding it to a lot more devices," Kay said.

While we don't yet know if the Pixel 10A will also feature this AirDrop compatibility, it stands to reason that it might since it is one of the big new features that debuted with the rest of the line.

In the lead-up to the Feb. 18 launch of the Pixel 10A, Google's store is discounting the rest of the Pixel 10 line. The Google Store is selling the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold for prices that range from $150 off for the base Pixel 10, $200 to $250 off for the pro phones and $300 off for the foldable models.

Those discounts on the Pixel 10 join the Pixel 9A's own $100 discount, bringing last year's A phone down to $399.

The four colors of the Pixel 10A, presumed to be named obsidian, fog, berry and lavender, are reportedly on display in a photo posted Thursday by Android Headlines. So far, Google has only revealed a blue-purple shade that's likely the lavender model, while the other three models correspond to the white, black and red colors, according to the outlet.

Compared to last year's Pixel 9A, obsidian appears to be carrying over, while the new fog, berry and lavender colors appear to be slight changes from the porcelain, peony and iris shades. Android Headlines is not confirming the names of these models, but the rumored names appear to match up with what we've heard so far from other sources.

When I first learned that the Pixel 9A's camera array would be level with the rest of the back, I was elated! "Finally, a phone without a camera bump," I thought. But when I reviewed the Pixel 9A, it looked almost too minimal.

I like the camera bars on the minimalist-looking Pixel 10 family. I was reminded of what Paul Snyder, chair of transportation design for undergraduate studies at the College of Creative Studies in Detroit, told me about Apple's ever-minimal iPhone design: "You can't go more minimal than minimal." Well, Google did.

From Google's teaser video released today, it looks like the Pixel 10A is just a rehash of the Pixel 9A. I wish Google had rethought the camera array. It doesn't need to be a bump or stick out, but how you house the cameras is a giant part of a phone's design.

The Pixel 10A will come in lavender, and Google has confirmed the color in its new teaser video for the phone's Feb. 18 release. I couldn't be more excited. When I reviewed the Pixel 9A, I was enamored of the iris color (which I kept calling blue lavender). So the fact that the Pixel 10A will continue this with a slightly different shade of purple makes me quite happy.

Google is officially announcing the Pixel 10A on Feb. 18, teasing the new phone in a short YouTube video posted Wednesday. The teaser includes a link to preorder the phone, but for now it takes you to a page to sign up for an offer when preorders officially open.

The teaser also confirms prior rumors that the Pixel 10A will look very similar to last year's 9A, and appears to show a phone with a blue-like hue.

Rumors point to Google launching a Pixel 10A soon, and it could be similar to the Pixel 9A. Usually, we'd recommend waiting for the Pixel 10A to be released to see how much Google discounts the 9A. But in the last couple of years, Google kept the price of the old model the same as the new one. When the Pixel 9A launched at $499, Google still sold the 8A for the same price, for example.

But Best Buy might have an offer that's too good to pass up. You can buy a Pixel 9A right now for $350. That's $150 off. You can also get the Pixel 9A for $100 off on Amazon or Google -- it's not $150, but it's still a decent deal.

The Pixel 10A could come in 128GB and 256GB storage configurations, and the four color options include obsidian (black), berry (possibly red), fog (white) and lavender. This is all according to a post by WinFuture's Roland Quandt, which also alludes to a mid-February announcement. Droid Life also corroborates a release date of Feb. 17, sourced from an unspecified retailer, which is also listing cases in the four mentioned colors.

Google's upcoming Pixel 10A might look a lot like the Pixel 9A. According to GSM Arena, a leaked render of the Pixel 10A shows a design very similar to the 9A -- including a flat camera island with just enough space for a main 48-megapixel camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide.

Along the front, according to a leak shared by Evan Blass in December, would be a 13-megapixel selfie camera placed within a cutout on the phone's 6.3-inch display. That screen size is the same as the Pixel 9A's, and the specs list shared by Blass also says that the 9A's 5,100-mAh battery would also make its way into the Pixel 10A.

Inside the phone, the Pixel 10A is even tipped to run the same Tensor G4 as the Pixel 9A, though the processor may be "boosted" to improve performance. According to Android Central, a performance-boosted Tensor G4 could help speed up the phone while relying on the processor's ability to avoid overheating.