Google Pixel 10a could take cost cutting to the next level

The Google Pixel 9a isn’t even official yet – that might change in the next few weeks according to a past rumor – and we’re already talking about its successor, the Pixel 10a. This one should arrive in early 2026, and a new rumor today claims Google is thinking about cost-cutting on this one quite a lot.

Specifically, the chipset is what will suffer. Allegedly, Google will either go with a lower-performance version of the Tensor G5 chipset that will be powering the rest of the Pixel 10 devices, or will choose to equip the Pixel 10a with the Tensor G4, which will also be in the Pixel 9a.

Google Pixel 9a leaked image

That would break with the tradition of the “a” model using the latest Tensor SoC and would definitely make the Pixel 10a a less compelling offering compared to its competitors. Of course, Google could compensate for this with other hardware upgrades, but more information hasn’t been leaked yet.

The Tensor G4 made its debut in the Pixel 9 series last August, so by 2026 it will be almost two years old. That’s not going to be a great look for sure. Additionally, going this route could severely impact the 10a’s AI functionalities, since the Tensor G5 is said to enable a lot more AI stuff.

Obviously, the reason for this is cost. The Tensor G5 could be too expensive to keep the Pixel 10a’s price in line with its predecessors, and Google may decide that hiking the price would eat too much into its sales. Then again, going with a 2024 SoC on a 2026 smartphone might end up with the exact same result.

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