TECH NEWS – It appears that Google’s budget smartphone may interfere with the South Korean tech giant’s device launches this year.
Roland Quandt recently posted on Bluesky that the Google Pixel 10a might launch in mid-February. Meanwhile, Arsène Lupin tweeted that the Pixel 10a might launch on February 17, before Samsung unveils its Galaxy S26 series on February 25. The Galaxy S26 series is expected to be available on March 11. While the Pixel 10a may not threaten the entire Galaxy S26 series, it could weaken sales momentum for the base model Galaxy S26, expected to retail for around $800 in the US. Meanwhile, the Pixel 10a is expected to retail for around $500. Android Headlines still expects the Pixel 10a to debut in March or April. This would set the stage for a media and marketing battle if the affordable phone were available around March 11, just as the Galaxy S26 series is expected to hit store shelves. This timeline seems plausible, as the Pixel 9a was announced in March 2024 but didn’t hit stores until April due to manufacturing issues.
Retailer listings suggest the Google Pixel 10a could launch on Feb 17, 2026.
• 128 GB: ~€500
Colors: Obsidian, Berry, Lavender, Fog
• 256 GB: ~€600
Color: Obsidian• Official cases: ~€20
Colors match phone lineup— Arsène Lupin (@MysteryLupin) January 13, 2026
According to Arsène Lupin, the Pixel 10a will be available in Obsidian, Berry, Lavender, and Fog colors; however, the 256 GB version will only be available in Obsidian. Evan Blass, a well-known insider, recently posted a photo of the Pixel 10a‘s certification for operation on the Verizon network. The image reveals some technical specifications of the upcoming affordable device: a 6.285-inch (15.96-centimeter) FHD+ AMOLED screen with a 120-hertz refresh rate, 8 gigabytes (GB) of RAM, 128 GB of base storage, and a 5,100-milliampere-hour (mAh) battery that supports 23-watt (W) wired charging. Previous leaks have revealed the Pixel 10a‘s other specifications: it measures 153.9 x 72.9 x 9 mm, has a Tensor G4 SoC (system-on-a-chip), and has a recommended retail price of around $500.
These specifications are nearly identical to those of the Pixel 9a, resembling the design language of its cost-effective, previous-generation sibling. The Pixel 10a has a thick bezel and a plastic back. It has a dual camera array on the back and a punch-hole selfie camera built into the display. The volume buttons remain below the power button. The antenna lines are visible from the side. The speaker and microphone are located symmetrically at the bottom.
