Google Pixel 10a Review: An Under $800 Familiar Face Packed With New AI Magic For Singapore’s Mid-range Market

Google has officially launched the Pixel 10a in Singapore, and it is a great choice for anyone who wants a really smart phone without spending a fortune. Priced reasonably from S$799, you can grab one right now from the via the Google Store, and retail partners Singtel, Shopee, Metapod, iShopChangi, COURTS, Lazada, Amazon SG, Best Denki and Harvey Norman. While it looks a lot like last year’s model, the real magic happens inside, where new AI tools makes everyday tasks an absolute breeze.

At first glance, the exterior retains the charming minimalism the A series is known for but introduces a fully flush bumpless camera module that lets the phone lie perfectly flat on any surface.

The device features a textured matte back and a smooth satin metal frame, available in four colours: Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian.

Durability sees a notable upgrade with an improved IP68 dust and water resistance rating, alongside upgraded Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protecting the screen.

Sustainability is also a major focus this year. The phone boasts a fully recycled aluminum frame and is the first in the series to incorporate recycled cobalt, copper, gold, and tungsten. It also arrives in completely plastic free packaging.

On the front, the 6.3 inch Actua pOLED display returns with a smooth 60 to 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive peak brightness of up to 3000 nits, making it exceptionally easy to use even under the glaring Singapore sun.

Powering the experience is the Google Tensor G4 processor paired with 8GB of RAM. While it is the exact same chip utilised in the previous generation, software optimisations have unlocked noticeably better power efficiency.

Battery wise, it features a robust 5,100 mAh battery that Google claims can last over 30 hours on a charge, or up to 120 hours with Extreme Battery Saver. Charging has also gotten a boost, with support for faster wired charging that can hit 50% in about 30 minutes, along with wireless charging 

Out of the box, the phone launches with Android 16, treating users to a fresh interface packed with new wallpaper effects and refined app layouts.

Taking great pictures is incredibly easy with the Pixel 10a. It has a 48 megapixel main camera and a 13 megapixel wide angle camera on the back, plus a 13 megapixel camera on the front for selfies.

The camera hardware is the same as last year, but Google’s new AI tools make your photos look better than ever. For example, a new feature called Camera Coach gives you tips on how to frame your shot perfectly. If you are taking a group photo, Auto Best Take will magically find the best smiles for everyone so nobody is caught blinking. There is also an Add Me tool that lets you merge photos together, ensuring the person taking the picture finally gets to be in the shot too.

Finally, what really makes this phone special are the new smart features included in the latest update.

The Circle to Search tool lets you draw a circle around anything on your screen, like a cool pair of shoes in a video, to instantly find out where to buy them.

For food lovers planning their next meal, a feature called Magic Cue can automatically suggest nearby restaurants right inside your text messages. You can even talk naturally to the Gemini Live assistant to get help with everyday problems. Plus, there is a very cool new desktop mode that lets you plug the phone into a computer monitor to use it like a mini PC.

With a promise of seven years of security and software updates, the Pixel 10a is a reliable, smart, and budget friendly phone that will stay fresh for a very long time. More details are available on the available website.