Pixel 8a vs Pixel 10a

The month Google's update promise for this phone runs until: new Android versions and security fixes. Google lists Pixel 5a and earlier as no longer getting these updates.

Google counts the years from the month the phone first went on sale on the US Google Store, not from the day you buy it, so a phone bought later or used has fewer years left. Pixel 8 and later get 7 years; Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a and Pixel Fold get 5.

Matters most if: You plan to keep the phone for years, or you're buying one used.

The version of Android, Google's phone software, that was installed when the phone first came out.

A Pixel moves to newer Android versions through updates, so this shows where it started, not what it runs today.

Gemini Nano is the version of Google's Gemini AI built to run on the phone itself, not on Google's servers.

Features that use it, such as summaries in the Recorder app or suggested replies in the Gboard keyboard, can work without an internet connection. Google says running it on the phone helps keep sensitive data from leaving the device.

Matters most if: You want AI features that work offline or keep your data on the phone.

What Google charged in the US when the phone launched, for the version with the least storage, before sales tax.

This is not what it costs today: check the used and refurbished links for current prices. If Google has not confirmed a price, the site shows "Price not confirmed by Google".

How much charge the battery holds, measured in mAh (milliamp-hours). Google lists a typical figure, its estimate from testing, and a lower minimum; we show the typical one.

A bigger number stores more energy, but how long a charge lasts also depends on which features you use. Google says Pixel 8a and later batteries are designed to keep at least 80% of their capacity for about 1,000 charge cycles when charged as Google recommends.

Google's estimate of how many hours a full charge lasts, based on its own lab tests.

Google tests an average Pixel user's mix of calls, mobile data, standby, web browsing, audio and YouTube. Longer figures, such as "up to 100-hour", need Extreme Battery Saver, which turns off many features. Google notes your battery life may be lower.

Matters most if: You are often away from a charger all day.

The resolution of the main camera's sensor in megapixels (MP), meaning millions of light-catching dots. Google notes this number is for the sensor, not always for the photo you get.

With default settings, the saved photo can be smaller than the sensor's count; on models that list High-Res, you can save full-size photos.

Matters most if: You want full-size photos for large prints or for cropping later.

The screen size, measured corner to corner (diagonally) in inches. 1 inch is 25.4 mm.

Google measures the screen as if its corners were square, so the visible area is a little smaller. On Fold models, this is the large inner screen; the outside screen has its own row.

The type of screen. 'Actua', 'Super Actua' and 'Super Actua Flex' (the folding inner screen) are Google's own names; the panel type, such as OLED or LTPO OLED, is listed next to them.

The name alone does not tell you how bright or sharp a screen is, so compare the brightness, resolution and refresh rate rows.

The range of refresh rates the screen moves between on its own, which Google calls Smooth Display. '1-120 Hz' means it can slow to once per second; '60-120 Hz' never drops below 60.

Google says the display adjusts automatically for viewing and battery performance, and higher rates use more battery.

Matters most if: You care about battery life as well as smooth scrolling.

The brightest the screen can get, in nits (a unit of screen brightness; higher is brighter). Google measures this peak with only 5% of the screen's pixels lit.

Google says a high peak brightness makes the screen easy to see in direct sunlight. With the whole screen lit, Google lists a lower HDR figure, for example 2400 nits on Pixel 11 Pro against 3600 nits peak.

Matters most if: You use your phone outdoors a lot, such as for maps or photos in sunlight.

How many dots (pixels) make up the screen, written as width x height.

On screens of the same size, more pixels show text and photos in finer detail. Fold models have one figure for the inner screen and one for the cover screen.

How much the phone weighs in grams (g); about 28 g is 1 ounce.

You feel the weight most when you hold the phone up for a long time, such as reading or filming. Google notes that weight can vary by configuration and manufacturing process.

The phone's size in millimeters (mm): height x width x depth (thickness). 25.4 mm is 1 inch.

Height and width tell you whether it fits your pocket and hand; depth is how thick it is. For Fold models, Google gives figures folded and unfolded.

What the outside of the phone is made of: the cover glass over the screen, the back and the frame around the edge.

Google names the glass type, such as Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Google says the phone isn't drop proof, and drop damage isn't covered under warranty.

A standard code for how well the phone keeps out dust and water. The first digit is dust (6 means dust-tight) and the second is water; IPX8, used on some Fold models, has a water rating only.

Google's guide says IP67 means fresh water up to 1 meter (about 3.3 feet) deep for 30 minutes, and IP68 deeper than 1 meter. Google still says not to take the phone into a pool, shower or bathtub, and that water resistance wears off over time.

How fast the phone charges with a cable. W (watts) measures how much power a charger delivers; for recent Pixels, Google states how much of the battery fills in about 30 minutes with a charger of a given wattage.

For example, Pixel 11 reaches up to 55% in about 30 minutes with a 30W or higher USB-C PPS charger. Recent Pixels come with a cable but no charger, and Google says real charging may be slower.

Matters most if: You often need a quick top-up before heading out.

How fast the phone charges on a wireless charging pad, in W (watts). Pixels with wireless charging use Qi, a wireless charging standard.

The top speed usually needs a specific charger: for up to 25W on Pixel 11 phones, Google recommends its Pixelsnap Charger with a 35W or higher power adapter.

Battery Share lets the phone wirelessly charge another device, such as earbuds, placed on its back.

It works only with devices that support Qi wireless charging, and Google says it uses a lot of the Pixel's own battery. You can set a level at which it switches off.

Matters most if: You carry wireless earbuds and want to top them up away from a charger.

The Wi-Fi generation, such as Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7. 6E and 7 can also use the 6 GHz band, which Google describes as less crowded.

Google says actual speeds also depend on your internet provider. On some models the Wi-Fi generation or the 6 GHz band depends on local rules, so availability varies by country or region.

Matters most if: You have, or plan to buy, a Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 router.

Bluetooth connects wireless accessories, such as earbuds and watches, to the phone. The number Google lists, such as v5.3 or v6, is the Bluetooth version.

On Pixel 8 and later, two or more people can listen from the same phone on their own earbuds, but only with Bluetooth LE Audio models.

Lets you text emergency services through a satellite when you have no mobile network and no Wi-Fi. Google lists it on Pixel 9 and later, except Pixel 9a.

You need a clear view of the sky, and Google says emergency services should reply by text within a few minutes. Google includes the service at no extra charge for the first 2 years after activation.

Matters most if: You hike, camp or drive through places with no mobile coverage.

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The main processor: the part that runs apps, camera processing and on-device AI. Pixel 6 and later use Google's own Google Tensor chips; earlier Pixels used Qualcomm Snapdragon chips.

Tensor generations are numbered, from the first Tensor in Pixel 6 to Tensor G6 in Pixel 11. A newer phone can have an older chip: Pixel 10a uses Tensor G4, the chip in Pixel 9.

Matters most if: You are choosing between an "a" model and a main model from the same year.

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