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My trusty Pixel 6a finally gave up the ghost this morning (RIP sweet prince, dropped it face down on concrete 😭). I need a replacement ASAP.

Saw the 10a just got announced, so I watched a review... is it just me or is this literally the exact same phone as the 9a?

Same Tensor G4 chip, same cameras, same battery, and STILL 128GB base storage in 2026 (bruh). Looks like the only real changes are a flat camera back, slightly faster charging, and satellite SOS that I’ll literally never use. No magnetic charging either, which feels like a massive L.

Google is hyping up all the software features, but honestly, it feels like they’re just phoning it in this year to get a new box on the shelf.

Do I just grab a 9a on clearance and save my money, what do you guys think?

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[-] kamenlady@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

I'm still on my pixel 6a, but expecting to have to upgrade soon.

If this would happen today, i would grab a pixel 9a.

I like to buy devices that are one or even two years old. There's a lot of money to save and the devices are through their maybe buggy infancy.

[-] CCMan1701A@startrek.website 3 points 2 days ago

I picked up a used 8 pro 256 and it's fantastic. I like the older camera bar design and spent less over the 10a

[-] frongt@lemmy.zip 3 points 2 days ago

I used a 10 briefly. I found no benefit over the 8.

[-] SaneMartigan@aussie.zone 7 points 2 days ago

Yeah, save your money, it's only the latest tech for a moment. I grabbed an 8a to replace my dying 5 and I'm happy with it.

[-] UntimedDiffusion@piefed.zip 3 points 2 days ago

Yep, they're practically identical, except I think the 10a has the upgraded modem that the 9 series introduced (that the 9a skipped). Not worth it imo, just get a 9a. I took a quick look on eBay and they're going for about $300

[-] solrize@lemmy.ml 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

HN thread is kind of meh.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47061775

Imo the satellite messaging sounds useful in the boonies. Lack of magnetic charging is unfortunate. Unclear if there's USB video out. I've wanted that sometimes. GrapheneOS support absent so far, but it's early. I'd like to see the ifixit teardown and difficulty estimate of replacing the battery.

[-] Elkenders@feddit.uk 5 points 2 days ago

Effectively. There’s an MKBHD video which carefully dissects the (minor) differences.

[-] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

I'll sell you another 6a. Brand new battery. Unlocked because it was used for Google Fi.

Upgrades are for chumps

[-] mudkip@lemdro.id 2 points 2 days ago

If you're being serious, I'll take you up on the offer.

[-] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

The other guy is mostly right. Pixel 6A came out in July of 2022. 5 years of security patches, it goes end of life next July. According to support.google.com at least.

I dm'd you.

[-] UntimedDiffusion@piefed.zip 3 points 2 days ago

Just a reminder that the 6a goes eol at the end of this year. I don't know how much this person intends to sell to you for, but just for some pricing context I see the 8a going for about $200 and the 9a going for $300

[-] cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 days ago

According to Android Police, it’s the same hardware, slightly different colors, and more AI features that I can only assume are being artificially withheld from the 9a.

You didn’t have a screen protector though? One of my old iPhones took a faceplant to rocks and it shattered TF outta the screen. I was going to a concert so i left it like that. Came home, peeled off the screen protector, phone was 100% fine. The 6s was a beast, but all credit to that screen protector. Slapped a new one up there and it was mint when I traded up.

Screen protectors don’t do much for impacts. They all break super easily. They’re mostly just good for scratches. They’re just a hard glass and the harder something is the more prone it is to breaking.

[-] cerebralhawks@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 9 hours ago

Yeah, but it's better to break a screen protector you bought 3 of for $10 than it is to pay for a replacement screen, even if it's under warranty.

We're also in the Google Pixel community... but even AppleCare+ makes you pay a deductible that costs more than a screen protector does.

This is basic math here... of course, if you have the disposable income, go without, but even so, I'd think the time of dealing with warranty replacement would be annoying. Unless you're just buying a whole new phone or something. Most of us can't do that, though.

[-] what_was_not_said@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I'm on a refurb 6a, with a relatively fresh battery. I plan to hold out for the 11a, which should have a truly better modem and Tensor chip than the 9a/10a. If not, then at least I'll have another year of updates by getting an 11a versus a 10a.

Also, I use a Supcase case, and have used the brand since 2018. Both 6as I've used have suffered many drops without breakage.

this post was submitted on 19 Feb 2026
23 points (100.0% liked)

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