Iris Coleman
Feb 18, 2026 16:42
Google unveils Pixel 10a with Tensor G4 chip, 30+ hour battery, satellite SOS, and AI camera features. Preorders open now, ships March 5 at $499.
Google officially unveiled the Pixel 10a on February 18, 2026, bringing its budget-friendly smartphone line into the AI era with a $499 price tag that matches last year’s Pixel 9a. Preorders opened immediately, with retail availability set for March 5.
The device runs on Google’s Tensor G4 processor—notably not the newer Tensor G5 found in the flagship Pixel 10 series—paired with a 6.3-inch Actua display that’s 11% brighter than its predecessor. Battery life gets a significant bump: Google claims 30+ hours on a single charge, extending to 120 hours with Extreme Battery Saver enabled.
Camera System Targets Sub-$500 Crown
Google’s betting heavily on photography to differentiate from competitors. The 48MP main camera and 13MP ultrawide setup includes features previously reserved for pricier models: Auto Best Take automatically selects the best group photo from multiple frames, while Camera Coach uses Gemini AI to provide real-time composition and lighting guidance.
The company claims its A-series phones have held the best-in-class camera title for five consecutive generations in this price bracket.
First A-Series Phone With Satellite SOS
Emergency connectivity arrives on Google’s budget line for the first time. Satellite SOS enables users to reach emergency services without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage—a feature Apple introduced to iPhones in 2022 that’s gradually becoming standard across the industry.
Durability improvements include IP68 water and dust resistance, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i for the display, and what Google calls its most sustainable A-series build yet. The phone incorporates recycled cobalt, copper, gold, and tungsten—firsts for the line—along with a 100% recycled aluminum frame.
Seven Years of Updates
Google commits to seven years of OS updates, security patches, and Pixel Drops—matching the support window for its flagship devices. For a $499 phone, that’s an unusually long runway that could appeal to buyers tired of planned obsolescence.
Color options include Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian. Google also announced Pixel Buds 2a in Berry and Fog to complement the new phone.
The Pixel 10a ships with Android 16 and full Gemini integration, including Gemini Live for conversational AI interactions. Whether the Tensor G4 chip can keep pace with increasingly demanding AI features over that seven-year support window remains the open question for prospective buyers.
Image source: Shutterstock
Credit: Source link
