6 modifications I hope Google makes to the Pixel 1...

As a large fan of the

Pixel 8a
final 12 months, I used to be very excited in regards to the launch of the

Pixel 9a
this 12 months, and it did not disappoint. It took every part I liked in regards to the 8a and made it even higher — resembling a sooner processor, greater battery, and a bigger show.

For $500, the Pixel 9a is undoubtedly the best mid-range phone available on the market, destroying its competitors within the discipline, such because the $600

iPhone 16e
. Whereas the Pixel 9a gives quite a lot of worth for cash, there are some issues I feel Google can enhance on for subsequent 12 months’s launch, which is able to make the cellphone much more enticing to funds shoppers.

Whereas there aren’t many rumors surrounding the Pixel 10a simply but, listed below are just a few modifications I feel Google may make to the cellphone to construct upon the success of the Pixel 9a. I perceive {that a} $500 mid-range cellphone can solely get so significantly better resulting from price, however I feel these modifications can be cheap to count on for a possible $500 Pixel 10a in 2026.

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6

Improved Corning show glass

A glass improve is lengthy overdue

The Pixel 9a makes use of Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which Corning first launched in 2013. Whereas it’s pretty scratch-resistant and sturdy, it could possibly be significantly better, and it is lastly time for Google’s mid-range handset to obtain a much-needed glass improve. By the point the Pixel 10a presumably launches in 2026, Gorilla Glass 3 will probably be 13 years outdated.

The Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional each characteristic Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, launched by Corning in 2022. It’s newer, considerably stronger, exceptionally scratch-resistant, and significantly better at withstanding lengthy drops than Gorilla Glass 3.

Price is all the time on my thoughts with the Pixel A collection, so even when Google opted for Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 1, which got here out in 2020, I might view that as a win. Any glass that’s newer, more durable, and extra sturdy for the Pixel 10a can be a win in my ebook. It is time to depart Gorilla Glass 3 behind. Funds customers deserve reliable, trendy glass screens as nicely.

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5

Sleeker display bezels

The Pixel 9a’s bezels are an eyesore

Staying on the Pixel 9a’s show, I imagine many individuals would agree that its thick bezels are considerably of an eyesore. The Pixel 9a’s show will get lots proper (like its OLED panel and 120Hz refresh price), so I will not harp on the bezels an excessive amount of, however I do really feel that is one space the place the iPhone 16e and the

OnePlus 13R
have a bonus over the Pixel 9a.

In all equity, you do not discover the bezels as a lot over time. Nonetheless, aesthetically, it will be preferable in the event that they have been slimmed down for the Pixel 10a, so it aligns extra intently with the Pixel 9. This is likely to be wishful considering on my half because of the cellphone’s funds nature, however I can dream, even when it is only a millimeter.

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4

Faster charging speeds

The Pixel 9a’s battery is spectacular, however the charging pace is not

Google has outdone itself with the Pixel 9a’s battery measurement. This 12 months, the corporate packed a 5,100mAh battery into the Pixel 9a, the biggest battery in a Pixel cellphone but, surpassing the Pixel 9 Professional XL’s 5,060mAh battery.

Clearly, battery measurement is not a difficulty. Nonetheless, charging speeds are. The Pixel 9a’s wired charging pace is 23 watts, and its wi-fi charging solely pulls a meager 7.5 watts. The Pixel 9, which has a 4,700mAh battery, has a 27-watt wired charging pace and as much as 15 watts of wi-fi charging if paired with Google’s Pixel Stand 2 wi-fi charger.

The Pixel 10a would profit from an elevated charging pace just like the Pixel 9. Admittedly, it isn’t that a lot sooner, which makes me imagine that Google may act on this with out impeding the cellphone’s price. The mid-range OnePlus 13R, which is $600, has a wired charging pace of as much as 80 watts, so asking Google for as much as 27 watts on the Pixel 10a appears truthful.

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3

Deliver again the digital camera bar

The Pixel 9’s digital camera bar makes it distinct

One of many greatest modifications to the Pixel 9a this 12 months is the elimination of the cellphone’s digital camera bar. The Pixel 6a, 7a, and 8a have a really distinct digital camera bar look. Once I see them, at the least in my eyes, I instantly acknowledge them as Pixel smartphones; the Pixel 9a simply is not the identical with its new flat digital camera design.

I perceive the advantages of the Pixel 9a’s new digital camera design, such because it being simpler to pocket and lie flat on a desk. Nonetheless, as controversial as this can be, I genuinely assume it will be good to see the digital camera bar return for the Pixel 10a. Aesthetically, I imagine it seems higher and would give the Pixel 10a its distinctive identification again. The Pixel 9a’s flat digital camera design makes the cellphone look a bit like a generic, boring slab.

It will be good to see some variation of the Pixel 9’s digital camera bar on the Pixel 10a, particularly if the

Pixel 10 series
later this 12 months maintains the identical digital camera design because the Pixel 9 collection.

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2

Extra RAM, please

Give folks 12GB of RAM Google

The Pixel 9a has 8GB of RAM, the identical because the Pixel 8a. It will be good to see Google enhance it to 12GB of RAM for the Pixel 10a, particularly because the firm is more likely to proceed pushing extra Gemini AI options that can devour RAM.

The Pixel 9a’s 8GB of RAM already presents some limitations for the cellphone, resembling the shortcoming to make use of the Pixel Screenshots app out there on the Pixel 9 and 9 Professional, which is powered by an area Gemini AI mannequin that eats up sources.

The Pixel 9a gives the identical seven-year software program replace assure as its flagship counterparts, so over time, that 8GB of RAM will change into much more of a burden for the mid-range cellphone. If the Pixel 10a has 12GB of RAM, it will be higher geared up for dealing with native AI duties, higher at multitasking, and general enhance the cellphone’s longevity.

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1

Add an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor

It would make the cellphone simpler to unlock

Considered one of my favourite features of the Pixel 9 is its ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. In comparison with the optical fingerprint sensor discovered within the Pixel 9a and the Pixel 8a, ultrasonic fingerprint sensors are way more dependable for unlocking telephones in low-light environments, in addition to when your fingers are moist or soiled, and it will be handy to have on the Pixel 10a.

An optical fingerprint sensor makes use of a specialised digital camera to seize a picture of your fingerprint to unlock the cellphone. It is cheaper, does not seize as a lot element, and struggles if the fingerprint is obscured by one thing (resembling water or grime) because the digital camera cannot learn it appropriately.

In distinction, ultrasonic fingerprint sensors use inaudible sound pulses to scan your fingerprint. They seize the print in better element, recording all its ridges, and can be utilized in darkish environments and with moist or soiled palms. Ultrasonic fingerprint readers are costlier to implement than optical fingerprint sensors, so this can be one other far-fetched dream. Nonetheless, I imagine Google may pull it off on a $500 Pixel 10a if it needed to.

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