On Wednesday, Google announced its latest entry-level Pixel smartphone, the Pixel 10a. The Pixel 10a has the same $499 price as the Pixel 9a, and they look almost identical. It features improvements in AI capabilities and minor hardware tweaks. The Pixel 10a is available for pre-order in Lavender, Berry, Fog, and Obsidian colours, and will hit shelves starting March 5.

The Pixel 10a has a completely flat back, making the camera blend seamlessly with the phone’s back. Google says the smartphone is made with “the most recycled material of any A-series Pixel yet, for the first time, including recycled cobalt, copper, gold, and tungsten.

The smartphone has a 6.3-inch Actua display, which Google says is 11% brighter than the Pixel 9a. It is IP68 certified for water and dust protection, and it also has a Corning Gorilla Glass 7i cover glass, which delivers improved durability for scratch and drop resistance.

Google says the Pixel 10a delivers more than 30 hours of battery life and up to 120 hours with Extreme Battery Saver turned on. It also has faster charging than the Pixel 9a. In terms of connectivity, Satellite SOS, which is available on the Pixel 10 Pro, comes to the Pixel 10a, so users can connect with emergency services without needing Wi-Fi or cellular service.

The Pixel 10a is powered by the same Tensor G4 chip that powers the Pixel 9a. The camera system is also the same, with a 48MP main shooter and a 13MP ultrawide camera. Google is bringing two AI features, which debuted on the Pixel 10 series, to the Pixel 10a: Auto Best Take and Camera Coach. The former “helps make sure everyone in a group photo looks their best with a single shutter press. Pixel automatically analyzes multiple frames to find the perfect shot.” Camera Coach uses Gemini models “to give you step-by-step guidance on lighting and composition, helping you take better pictures and become a better photographer.”

The Pixel 10a will receive seven years of software and security updates, just like recent Pixel smartphones.

In related news, Google also announced the launch of the Pixel Buds 2a in Berry and Fog colours to complement the Pixel 10a.