{"id":568795,"date":"2026-03-27T23:26:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T23:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/568795\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T23:26:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T23:26:25","slug":"pixel-10a-a-gateway-to-ai-but-not-the-full-ride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/568795\/","title":{"rendered":"Pixel 10a – A Gateway to AI, but not the full ride"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Google\u2019s Pixel 10a launched earlier this month. Despite similarities to last year\u2019s Pixel 9a, in his review<\/a> Scott found the few updates to be just as good with the hardware additions improving on Google\u2019s entry level phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Priced at $849, the Pixel 10a was built to a budget, launching at the same price as last year\u2019s Pixel 9a, a fairly impressive feat in today\u2019s economic climate.<\/p>\n

As well as sharing the price, the phone includes almost the same specs as last year\u2019s Pixel 9a, which has caused some confusion While the Pixel \u2018a-series\u2019 has previously adopted features from the \u2018main\u2019 Pixel series, the Pixel 10a is one of the first to not bring the new Tensor processor and those newer features over.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Pixel 9a vs Pixel 10a<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been checking out the software side of the Pixel 10a, and taking Google\u2019s \u2018brilliant photography, a durable design, and helpful AI\u2019 slogan for the Pixel 10a to heart, testing these over the last couple of weeks.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/a><\/p>\n

So what\u2019s included and what is missing on the Pixel 10a? Let\u2019s get into it.<\/p>\n

What it\u2019s Got!<\/p>\n

Gemini<\/p>\n

Gemini is present everywhere from the moment you set up the Pixel 10a, ready to help you at whatever stage you want.<\/p>\n

The Pixel 10a runs Gemini 3<\/a> \u2013 the latest version of their Large Language Model (LLM), with Google using the latest \u2018nano\u2019 model, called \u2018Banana\u2019 running on-device.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gemini runs the same queries you can see on desktop as on the mobile \u2013 so your search and AI queries are synced, letting you continue discussion or research on the go.<\/p>\n

One big advantage is the Pixel 10a has Gemini Live, which is a more local version that also includes multimodal input support so you can share your phone desktop, or even the camera. You can then load up either and just talk, asking it questions about the desktop, or what\u2019s being seen by your camera \u2013 like \u201cWhat breed is this cat?\u201d and Gemini just does its thing\u2026yes, it\u2019s a ragdoll.<\/p>\n

It also works well connecting to your various Google and third-party apps, letting you do things like set your air-conditioning or turn on lights through Google Home using Gemini, or skipping songs or loading a playlist in apps like Spotify.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Satellite SMS<\/p>\n

Google launched Satellite SMS on their main Pixel line with the Pixel 9 series of devices, continuing it on the Pixel 10 series last year. This year, Google has brought Satellite SMS to the Pixel 10a series for the first time, expanding peace of mind to their lower end devices so you have options when you\u2019re completely out of service.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Satellite SMS isn\u2019t a new way to send texts to your friends, instead it\u2019s a way to contact emergency services, with the fine print from Google reading:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Off-the-grid emergency calling via satellite. Restrictions apply. Setup required. Service included at no additional charge for the first two years after activation of devices. Connection and response times vary based on location, site conditions and other factors. See g.co\/pixel\/satellitesos<\/a> for details.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You can give it a whirl though, with the Safety Demo\u2026..but I was unable to get it working.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I have tried the Satellite SMS Demo a number of times, and it failed each time. I\u2019ve tried in multiple places \u2013 most notably I spent a couple of hours in the middle of a double oval in a cloudless sky, and it still failed the demo each and every time.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s just hope this one works a little better in real world conditions, but as it connects to emergency services, I\u2019m not ready to waste their time on a test. It\u2019s pertinent to note that the SMS Satellite test failed on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and PIxel 10 Pro XL as well.<\/p>\n

AI Camera<\/p>\n

Google has been adding more and more to the Pixel camera in each iteration, but the latest ones brought over from the PIxel 10 series are \u2018Camera Coach and Auto Best Take\u2019 \u2013 both of which are present on the Pixel 10a.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Camera Coach<\/p>\n

While we all think we can take a great photo, sometimes there\u2019s a better way, and that\u2019s where Camera Coach comes into it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The feature uses Gemini models, which have been trained on output from professional photographers to offer tips on how to take a great shot.<\/p>\n

On the Pixel 10 I didn\u2019t really see many ways different that the Gemini powered Camera Coach suggested, but on the 10a it looks like the models have been updated and the results are good.<\/p>\n

It all starts with Gemini scanning the camera input \u2013 once you hit the Camera Coach icon at the top of the app.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Camera Coach will guide you through, step by step on how to actually take the shot, telling you to change position, lighting etc. to get the shot. I can be a lazy photographer, but this was a good way to get you involved in the process \u2013 and I\u2019ll remember some of the tips for next time.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

One of the options I like about this is you can choose what style of image you want to take based on the initial scan that Gemini does.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Auto Best Take<\/p>\n

The introduction of Best Take on the Pixel 8 was one of those \u2018magic\u2019 moments where AI seems to just work. Able to take faces from variety of shots and seamlessly meld them into a cohesive image where everyone is looking ahead\/smiling in the shot is brilliant \u2013 then Google introduced Auto Best Take on the Pixel 10 series, and now it\u2019s here on the Pixel 10a.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a mix of Google\u2019s Top Shot and Best Take in Google Photos and while it\u2019s good, it\u2019s also inconsistent. Out of several goes I managed to get one working.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Audio Magic Eraser<\/p>\n

I\u2019m including this as it\u2019s one of my favourite features that just \u2018works\u2019 when it comes to the camera, and for once it\u2019s a video feature which Google hasn\u2019t done a lot of as yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n

First announced on the Pixel 8 series, Audio Magic Eraser lets you take more control over ambient noise, with Gemini able to isolate and remove background noise. It\u2019s a simple process, simply edit the video in Google Photos and find the \u2018Audio\u2019 editing options to really take advantage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

What it\u2019s missing?<\/p>\n

The Pixel 10a is a fairly complete phone when it comes to featureset, however the Tensor G4 processor does preclude it from coming up to speed with the main Pixel 10 Series line sporting the newer Tensor G5.<\/p>\n

Magic Cue<\/p>\n

One of the major announcements with the Pixel 10 series was Magic Cue, powered by the Tensor G5.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Magic Cue is Google\u2019s way of making AI more helpful in your day-to-day life. Quite simply, after you turn it on, monitors your phone use to find ways to be helpful. This includes offering to add something to your calendar or give you details from a calendar event, find a picture if you mention it, supply a contact in the right context and more.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Magic Cue has become a very useful part of my Pixel 10 usage, though it\u2019s still quite hit and miss. It feels like Google needs to ramp up the intensity of Magic Cue so it appears more consistently.<\/p>\n

Pixel Screenshots<\/p>\n

Of the Pixel features \u2018missing\u2019 from the Pixel 10a, Pixel Screenshots feels its an oversight. Launched on the Pixel 9 series, Pixel Screenshots was a way for Google to attempt to organise all those screenshots we take using AI.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In theory, you take a screenshot and the Pixel adds it to the Screenshots app. The Google Nano LLM scans the image and analyses it, gleaning text, context and even the metadata so you can review it at a later date or find the information when you want it. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You can actually even ask Gemini to find the information including \u2018Where is the receipt for\u2026.\u2019 if you have one in your Pixel Screenshots App.<\/p>\n

Alas, it\u2019s missing on the Pixel 10a and with the Pixel 9 sharing the same processor, the limited 8GB of RAM on the Pixel 10a (compared to 12GB on Pixel 9) means this feature is missing, and sadly won\u2019t launch. <\/p>\n

Do you need a Pixel 10a?<\/p>\n

The big question is the Pixel 10a worth it to update to?<\/p>\n

At its core the Pixel 10a is a good phone. Scott said it best<\/a> \u2018Same, same, but still brilliant.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Compared to the mainline Pixel 10 series, the Pixel 10a does fall short in terms of what features it comes with. What it does do well are the core functions we\u2019ve come to know the Pixel 10 for, with the Pixel 10a living up to its core slogan of \u2018brilliant photography, a durable design, and helpful AI\u2019\u2019.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The hardware similarities between the Pixel 10a and Pixel 9a makes it hard to recommend updating, but down at the Pixel 7a and below there\u2019s a case to be made if you want the newer AI features.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you want the latest Pixel series phone on a budget, then the Pixel 10a does have a lot to add. The refinements in hardware including the brighter display, flat camera bump and the addition of Gorilla Glass to bolster the IP68 dust and water resistance make it a good proposition, and you also now have Satellite SMS for added peace of mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Price wise, Google kept the phone at $849 while still adding in a few nifty features and covering it with a 7-year software update schedule so you can keep using it without worrying about security.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you want the best of Google, but on a budget, then it\u2019s hard to go past the Pixel 10a. You can find the Pixel 10a on the Google Store online<\/a>, or through \u00a0JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks and The Good Guys, as well as Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Daniel has been talking about, learning about and using tech since he was able to toggle switches and push buttons. If it flashes, turns on or off or connects he wants to use it, talk about it and learn more about it. Like this article? Buy me a coffee!<\/a><\/p>\n

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