The Google Pixel 9a is still a few months from launch, and its specs have already started leaking. Check out the full specs, colors, and pricing for the Pixel 9a here. However, there is already buzz about its successor, the Pixel 10a. This mid-range Pixel smartphone is expected to launch in 2026, but new reports suggest Google may be planning to cut costs with this device. Let’s explore what these changes might mean.
The biggest cost-cutting move for the Pixel 10a seems to be tied to its chipset. Google might choose a lower-performance, customized version of the Tensor G5 chip, which will power the Pixel 10 series. Alternatively, the company could stick with the Tensor G4 chip already featured in the Pixel 9a.
So far, Google has used the same flagship Tensor chip in its mid-range A-series phones, but this change could break that tradition. Compared to previous A-series models, the Pixel 10a might feel less appealing. However, Google may include other hardware upgrades to make up for it. The upgrades remain unknown for now, but more details are expected soon. For now, reports confirm that Google is already working on the Pixel 10a and Pixel 11. The Pixel 10a, codenamed “Stallion” and referred to as STA5, is in development.
Google introduced the Tensor G4 chip in 2024 with the Pixel 9 series and plans to use it in the Pixel 9a this year (2025). If Google decides to use the Tensor G4 in the Pixel 10a, the chipset will already be two years old by then. This could impact the Pixel 10a’s AI performance, as the Tensor G5 is expected to offer significantly improved AI features.
The decision to use the older Tensor G4 in the Pixel 10a likely comes down to cost. The next-gen Tensor G5 is expected to be more expensive, making it less feasible for a budget-friendly device like the Pixel 10a. By opting for the older chipset, Google may be aiming to keep prices steady and avoid a price hike. A cost-optimized Tensor G6 could bring fully custom chipsets back to the mid-range A-series lineup in the future, we may need to wait and watch.
