Pixel 10a Leaks Raise Concerns Over Performance and Value

The upcoming Google Pixel 10a is already stirring controversy before its official announcement, and not for the right reasons. According to early leaks, the phone might fall short of consumer expectations, potentially rendering it a weak entry in Google’s mid-range lineup. What was once a clever strategy – reusing last year’s flagship chipset to give budget buyers strong performance – appears to be changing with the 10a, and not in a good way.

The leaked details, shared by sources including 9to5Google and Mystic Leaks, suggest that the Pixel 10a (codename ‘stallion’) will be powered by the Tensor G4 instead of the newer G5.

This is a major letdown for anyone expecting Google to keep its mid-range phone competitive. Pairing the device with slower UFS 3.1 storage instead of UFS 4.0 only deepens the disappointment. Yes, the phone may still sport an impressive 2,000-nit peak brightness display, but raw performance is what often determines long-term satisfaction, and here the compromises feel heavy.

To put this into perspective, Google’s decision could be tied to costs. The Tensor G5, manufactured on advanced 3nm N3P technology, is pricier compared to Samsung’s 4nm process used for the Tensor G4. By sticking with the older chip, Google is likely aiming to keep the Pixel 10a’s retail price within reach. But pricing alone cannot justify the lack of modern components if rivals in the same range manage to provide faster storage, more efficient processors, and even advanced cooling systems like vapor chambers.

Thermal efficiency has been a thorn in Google’s side before. The Tensor G3, for instance, was built with Samsung’s IPoP packaging instead of the more effective FOPLP. This choice contributed to overheating issues on previous Pixel A-series phones. Whether the G4 inside the 10a will suffer the same fate remains unclear, but early reports suggest the phone will likely not feature a vapor chamber, raising concerns about sustained performance under load.

At the end of the day, the Pixel A-series has historically been about delivering excellent software, great cameras, and a clean Google experience at a fair price. Yet if the Pixel 10a truly launches with older silicon and slower storage, it risks being dismissed by tech enthusiasts as a compromise too far. Unless Google can price this phone aggressively and market its strengths – such as AI-driven features, camera performance, and guaranteed updates – the Pixel 10a might arrive next year already facing an uphill battle. For some buyers, that could mean skipping it entirely in favor of more balanced alternatives.