16 hours Ago By Priya Singh
The Google Pixel 9a hasn’t been officially announced yet—though that could change soon, according to recent rumors—but there’s already speculation about its successor, the Pixel 10a, expected to launch in early 2026. A new rumor suggests that Google might be looking to significantly cut costs for the Pixel 10a. Cost-cutting could hit the Pixel 10a right in its Tensor pic.
twitter.com/VCWJmDqjqc — yogesh yadav (@yogeshyaa) January 21, 2025 The main area of compromise is said to be the chipset. Reportedly, Google may either opt for a lower-performance version of the Tensor G5, which will power the rest of the Pixel 10 series or equip the Pixel 10a with the older Tensor G4, the same chipset expected in the Pixel 9a.
ALSO SEE: Samsung to Launch Its First Tri-Fold Phone in 2025 Alongside Galaxy Z Fold and Flip Series: Report If the Pixel 10a uses an older Tensor chip, it would break from the tradition of "a" models featuring the latest Tensor SoC, potentially making the device less competitive compared to its rivals. While Google could offset this by upgrading other hardware, no further details have been leaked yet. The Tensor G4, debuting in the Pixel 9 series in August 2024, will be nearly two years old by the time the Pixel 10a launches in 2026, which could make it seem outdated.
Moreover, opting for this older chip could limit the 10a's AI capabilities, as the Tensor G5 is expected to offer significant improvements in AI functionality. Codenames: Pixel 10 Pro XL (mustang/MT5) Pixel 10 Pro (blazer/BZ5) Pixel 10 (frankel/FL5) Pixel 10a (stallion/STA5) Pixel 10 Pro Fold (rango/RG5) Pixel 11 Pro XL (kodiak/PKK4) Pixel 11 Pro (grizzly/CGY4) Pixel 11 (cubs/4CS4) - Pixel 11 Pro Fold (yogi/9YI4) pic.twitter.
com/aS4TxKBl4G — パンデイ アカシュ (@pennedbyhim) January 21, 2025 The decision likely stems from cost concerns—using the more expensive Tensor G5 could push the price of the Pixel 10a too high, affecting sales. However, equipping a 2024 SoC in a 2026 device might have a similar impact on its market appeal. For the unversed, internal documentation reveals that Google is working on four Pixel 11 series devices, each with bear-themed codenames.
The standard Pixel 11 is expected to be called "cubs" (4CS4), the Pixel 11 Pro may go by "grizzly" (CGY4), the Pixel 11 Pro XL could be named "kodiak" (PKK4), and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is likely codenamed "yogi" (9YI4). All four models will reportedly feature the Tensor G6 chipset, codenamed "malibu." The Pixel 11 series is expected to launch in the second half of 2026, following Google's typical release timeline.
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