Google launches the Pixel 10a featuring the Tensor G5 chip, a 3,000-nit Actua display, and recycled materials. Explore the latest specs and durability updates.

The wait is finally over! ⏳ A few months after the initial leaks began to circulate 🕵️‍♂️, the Google Pixel 10a is officially here. For those who have been tracking the rumor mill, the device doesn’t offer many shocks; instead of a complete overhaul, Google has refined the familiar specifications of its predecessor while leaning heavily into software enhancements to define the experience. ✨

#Google Pixel 10a

Visually, the Pixel 10a retains the 6.3-inch Actua display, but with a notable improvement in luminance. ☀️ Google has boosted the peak brightness to 3,000 nits, a step up from the 2,700 nits found on the Pixel 9a. 📱 As expected, the device maintains its reliable IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. 💧🛡️

One of the most practical updates focuses on durability. 💪 The Pixel 10a has moved on from Gorilla Glass 3, now utilizing Gorilla Glass 7i for screen protection. 🛡️ According to Google, this upgrade offers superior scratch resistance and ensures the glass can survive drops from up to 1 meter (3.3 feet). 🔨

As is typical with Google’s hardware, the software experience is the true centerpiece. 🤖 The Pixel 10a ships with Android 16 out of the box, backed by an industry-leading promise of seven years of software updates. 🗓️ The phone is also deeply integrated with Google’s AI ecosystem, featuring suites ranging from the Gemini Assistant to Gemini Live. 🪄

Under the hood, however, the hardware remains consistent with the previous generation. ⚙️ The Pixel 10a is powered by the same Tensor G4 chipset found in the Pixel 9a. 🧠 The memory and storage configurations also remain unchanged, offering 8GB of RAM paired with either 128GB or 256GB of storage. 💾

#Google Pixel 10a

The camera system also sees a hardware carry-over, featuring a 48MP main rear lens, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, and a 13MP selfie camera. 📸 The upgrades here are entirely software-driven, with new AI features such as Camera Coach, Auto Best Take, and Add Me. 🤳✨

Google Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a: What’s different? 🆚 The primary distinction for the Pixel 10a lies in its design and construction. 🛠️ The back panel is now crafted from 81% recycled plastic. ♻️ To complement the device, Google has introduced a new Pixel 10a Case made from 36 percent recycled plastic, color-matched to the phone. 📱 Note that neither the device nor the case includes built-in magnets. 🧲

Google claims the Pixel 10a utilizes more recycled materials than any previous phone in the a-series. 🌍 It is the first in the lineup to incorporate recycled cobalt, copper, gold, and tungsten, which collectively make up at least 36 percent of the product by weight. 💎 Additionally, the aluminum frame is sourced from 100 percent recycled material, and the packaging is entirely plastic-free. 📦🌱

The Google Pixel 10a is available in four distinct colors: Fog 🌫️, Obsidian 🖤, Berry 🍓, and Lavender 🪻. Pricing remains competitive, starting at $499 in the US 💵 and Rs 50,000 in India 🇮🇳 for the 8/128GB variant. Pre-orders open today, with general availability starting on March 5. 📅🚀

Google caught everyone off guard 😲. Just three days after confirming Android 17 was on the horizon 🌅, the first beta has officially landed 🚀. It’s an unexpectedly quick turnaround for a release that promises to sharpen privacy 🛡️, tighten security 🔒, and smooth out overall performance ⚡.

Beyond the usual under-the-hood polish ✨, there are some fundamental shifts in how Android handles apps and hardware ⚙️. Here is everything you need to know about the rollout, the devices that made the cut, and what’s actually changing 📋.

 Is your device on the list? 📱

As per usual, Google’s own Pixel lineup gets the first bite of the apple 🍎. While other manufacturers will eventually join the beta program, for now, it’s a Pixel-only affair 🤫.

If you own any of the following, you’re eligible to jump in 🙋‍♂️:

Pixel 6 Series:** 6, 6 Pro, 6a 📱

Pixel 7 Series:** 7, 7 Pro, 7a 📱

Pixel 8 Series:** 8, 8 Pro, 8a 📱

Pixel 9 Series:** 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a 🤳

Pixel 10 Series:** 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro Fold 🌟

Foldables & Tablets:** Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet 📖

Essentially, if you’re carrying a Pixel 6 or newer, you don’t have to wait months for the stable release to see what Google has been cooking 👨‍🍳.

 How to get Android 17 Beta 1 right now 📲

The installation process depends on where you’re starting from. If your Pixel is already enrolled in the beta program and running Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1, you can breathe easy—the update should hit your device automatically 📥. Just head to **Settings > System > Software Updates** to trigger the download ⚙️.

If you’re currently on a stable build, you’ll need to take an extra step 🚶‍♂️:

1.  Go to [google.com/android/beta](https://google.com/android/beta) 🌐.

2.  Sign in with the Google account linked to your phone 🔑.

3.  Find your device and select **“Opt in.”** ✅

4.  Once confirmed, check your phone’s settings for the update 🔄.

A quick word of advice:** This is a beta ⚠️. Things can (and sometimes will) break 💥. Before you hit install, make sure your photos and important files are backed up to the cloud or a physical drive ☁️💾.

 What’s actually new? ✨

This first release marks a bit of a structural shift. Google is moving away from the traditional “Developer Preview” label in favor of an Android Canary” program 🐦. The idea is to get features and APIs into the hands of developers faster, ensuring better stability without the headache of manual flashing ⚡.

 Better behavior on big screens 📺

If you use a tablet or a foldable, you’ve likely dealt with apps that refuse to resize or rotate properly 🔄. Android 17 is putting its foot down. For any device with a “smallest width” of 600dp or more, apps are now required to support resizable windows and both landscape and portrait orientations 📐. They can no longer opt out of these basic behaviors.

 Under-the-hood performance 🏎️

Google is also fine-tuning the engine. They’ve introduced a “Lock-free MessageQueue” to help eliminate those annoying dropped frames 🎞️ and “Generational Garbage Collection” to make the system more efficient with CPU usage 🧠. It’s technical stuff, but it translates to a phone that feels snappier and lasts longer on a charge 🔋.

Camera and Connectivity 📸

The update brings “Dynamic Camera Sessions” for smoother transitions between shooting modes 🎥 and “Versatile Video Coding” (VVC) support for hardware that can handle it. On the connectivity side, there are significant updates to Wi-Fi Ranging for better proximity detection 📶 and new dedicated profiles for medical devices and fitness trackers to make pairing and permissions less of a chore 🩺⌚.

What’s next? 🔮

Google is moving fast 🏃‍♂️. According to their roadmap, we’ll hit the “Platform Stability” phase as early as next month. That’s when the APIs are finalized and the final polish begins 💎. If everything stays on track, we should see the stable rollout sometime in the third quarter of 2026 📅.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on every new build as it drops 👀. You can check back here for updates or head over to our Telegram channel for instant alerts on the latest tech news 📢.

Google Maps adds AI-powered EV charger predictions to show availability upon arrival, plus a refreshed Explore tab for curated local recommendations.

#Google

Google is enhancing Maps 🗺️ with a suite of new utilities, most notably a feature designed to predict EV charger availability ⚡. Previously, while the app could direct users to charging stations, it offered no insight into their status. This often led to the frustration 😫 of pulling up to a charger only to find a long line of drivers waiting for power 🔋.

The updated tool addresses this by displaying “how many chargers will likely be available upon your arrival.” 📉 By leveraging a mix of AI analysis 🤖 and real-time availability data, Google aims to predict open spots to help users “avoid lines and save time.” ⏱️ This charger tracking feature arrives next week, though it is currently exclusive to Android Auto and vehicles with Google built-in 🚗.

The Explore tab 🔍 is also receiving a significant refresh, streamlining the discovery of curated lists from local influencers and partners like OpenTable. A quick swipe up now reveals “trending and popular restaurants 🍽️, activities and sights near you 🏙️.” This global update for the Explore tab is rolling out this month on both Android and iOS 🌎.

#Google

Furthermore, the company is deepening Gemini’s integration within Maps, reflecting the broader industry push toward AI ✨. The chatbot is designed to act as a “knowledgeable guide,” offering “know before you go” summaries for destinations such as restaurants, hotels 🏨, and concert venues 🎤. While real-world utility remains to be seen, these AI-powered tips are already available to many US users on Android and iOS 🇺🇸.

Finally, reviewers now have the option to customize their display names when leaving feedback for local businesses ⭐. This allows for fun handles like “Eager Elf” 🧝 or “Julia Loves Sweets 🍭.” However, it is worth noting that despite the custom persona, the feedback is still tied to your primary Google account, so maintaining civility remains essential 🛡️.