Google Pixel 10a Review: Sensible Value

The screen is brighter now, reaching a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, and I had no trouble reading it in sunny conditions (although it hasn’t been as sunny as I’d like in recent weeks). I like the glass upgrade from Gorilla Glass 3 to Gorilla Glass 7i. It should be more protective, and anecdotally, I don’t see a single scratch on the Pixel 10a’s screen after two weeks of use. (I would always buy a screen protector to be safe.)

Photography: Julian Chokkattu

Another notable improvement is the charging speeds: 30-watt wired charging and 10-watt wireless charging. I admit that I haven’t noticed the benefits yet, as I often charge the phone overnight. You can get up to 50% in 30 minutes of charging with a compatible adapter, and that matches my testing.

My biggest complaint? Google should have taken this opportunity to add its Pixelsnap wireless charging magnets to the back of this phone. This would help bring the Pixel 10a even more in line with the Pixel 10 series and bring Qi2 wireless charging into a more affordable realm, truly raising the bar, which wouldn’t be a first for the A series. After all, that’s exactly what Apple did with the new iPhone 17e, adding MagSafe to the table. Or heck, at least make the Pixel 10a Qi2 Ready like Samsung’s smartphones, so people who use a magnetic case can enjoy faster wireless charging speeds.

Battery life is decent. With average usage, the Pixel 10a comfortably lasts a full day, but it still requires daily charging. With heavier use, like when traveling, I had to charge the phone several times in the afternoon to make sure it didn’t turn off before bed. It’s a pretty big battery for its size, but I think Google could do more to expand the power, like Motorola’s Moto G Power 2026.