Updated: January 15, 2026 — Google’s next budget phone is suddenly showing up in a lot of places. Over the past 48 hours, multiple leaks and retailer breadcrumbs have converged on the same story: the Pixel 10a could arrive mid‑February—with a specific February 17 date repeatedly cited—alongside a familiar design, modest spec bumps, and a potentially attention-grabbing “Berry” color that looks like Google’s return to pink. (9to5Google)
If that timeline holds, the Pixel 10a would land right as Samsung’s Galaxy S26 marketing machine spins up for a late‑February launch event and a likely early‑to‑mid‑March retail release—creating an unusually direct collision between a midrange “A” phone and Samsung’s flagship season. (Wccftech)
Key takeaways (what’s new today)
- Release timing: Multiple reports now point to February 17, 2026 as a likely Pixel 10a date, with broader “mid‑February” retail availability also cited. (Droid Life)
- Price (Europe leak):€500 (128GB) and €600 (256GB) are the headline numbers, with $499 widely expected in the U.S. if Google mirrors prior A‑series pricing. (Android Headlines)
- Colors: Leaks consistently mention Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, and Berry, with the 256GB model potentially Obsidian-only. (Wccftech)
- Design & specs: An official‑looking render suggests the Pixel 10a will look very similar to the Pixel 9a, with leaks pointing to a ~6.285-inch FHD+ OLED 120Hz display, 8GB RAM, a 5,100mAh battery, and 23W wired charging. (Wccftech)
- Galaxy S26 context (Jan 15): New Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks today focus on camera apertures and memory tiers, plus ongoing chatter about the series’ late‑Feb reveal and March retail timing. (SamMobile)
Pixel 10a release date: why “February 17” keeps showing up
The Pixel A-series typically arrives in spring, but this year’s rumor cycle is pointing earlier. Here’s what the leak chain looks like:
- Roland Quandt (WinFuture) posted that the Pixel 10a would be “in retail around mid Feb,” paired with the color/storage mix that keeps resurfacing elsewhere. (Wccftech)
- Droid Life reports that at least one international retailer listing shows a specific February 17, 2026 date along with matching cases—an early‑retailer pattern it says has tracked past Pixel launches. (Droid Life)
- Arsène Lupin (on X) is cited by multiple outlets for a Feb 17 claim, adding pricing and case details that align with the retailer listing narrative. (Android Headlines)
None of this is official, but when independent threads point to the same day, it usually means something in the channel—distribution sheets, accessory catalogs, retailer systems—has started to synchronize.
Why an earlier Pixel 10a would be a big shift
Even recent patterns suggest spring. Coverage notes the Pixel 9a was announced in March and hit shelves in April after a delay. (9to5Google)
A February launch would pull the A-series forward by weeks—potentially giving Google a clearer runway before Samsung’s flagship cycle dominates headlines.
Pixel 10a price leak: €500/€600 — and what it could mean in the U.S.
The current pricing rumor is remarkably consistent across outlets:
- €500 for the 128GB Pixel 10a
- €600 for the 256GB model (Android Headlines)
Android Headlines adds that U.S. buyers could see a $499 starting price if Google follows the same strategy as the Pixel 9a generation, with the 256GB model potentially landing around $599. (Android Headlines)
Digital Trends frames the pricing as a potential way to offset “minimal upgrades,” also pointing out that a drop versus Pixel 9a European pricing would make the 10a easier to pitch if the hardware doesn’t move much. (Digital Trends)
Don’t ignore the accessory clue
Multiple reports mention official cases around €20, with colors matching the phone lineup—exactly the kind of “boring detail” that often appears in retail systems before an announcement. (Droid Life)
Pixel 10a colors: “Berry” could be Google’s next pink moment
If you’ve been waiting for a more playful Pixel color, “Berry” is the leak to watch.
The reported lineup:
- Obsidian (black)
- Fog (light gray/off-white)
- Lavender (purple)
- Berry (the intriguing one) (Wccftech)
A republished CNET report highlights why this matters: pink tones have been a frequent request, and CNET staff specifically call out Google’s habit of offering pink Pixel options—while noting the Pixel 10 series “lacks any pinkish hues.” (Hecho en California con Marcos Gutierrez)
One practical detail that keeps repeating: the 256GB Pixel 10a may only come in Obsidian, with the brighter colors reserved for 128GB. (Android Headlines)
That kind of split isn’t unusual—it simplifies inventory while still letting marketing show fun colorways.
Pixel 10a design and specs: the “Pixel 9a, again” story (with a few upgrades)
An official‑looking render published by Android Headlines shows the Pixel 10a in black/Obsidian and describes it as virtually identical to the Pixel 9a: flat back, thick bezels, and two rear cameras with a hole‑punch selfie cam. (Android Headlines)
Wccftech similarly says the 10a specs and design look very close to the previous generation. (Wccftech)
Rumored Pixel 10a specs (as of Jan 15, 2026)
Based on the leak roundup across outlets, here’s what’s being reported most consistently:
- Display: ~6.285-inchFHD+ AMOLED/OLED, up to 120Hz refresh (Wccftech)
- Memory/storage:8GB RAM, 128GB base, plus a 256GB option (Wccftech)
- Battery:5,100mAh (Wccftech)
- Charging: Up to 23W wired (Wccftech)
- Chipset: A “boosted” or “souped‑up” Tensor G4 (not the Pixel 10 series’ flagship chip) (Wccftech)
- Cameras (rumored carryover): Reports suggest 48MP main + 13MP ultrawide, plus a 13MP front camera (Free Press Journal)
A CNET-linked report also cites a Telegram leaker suggesting extras like UFS 3.1 storage, a 2,000‑nit display, and no telephoto lens—but treat those as less certain than the core “Feb 17 / €500 / four colors” cluster. (Hecho en California con Marcos Gutierrez)
Why Pixel 10a timing matters: the Samsung Galaxy S26 factor
One reason the Pixel 10a rumors are getting outsized attention isn’t the specs—it’s the calendar.
Wccftech argues that a mid‑February Pixel 10a would “crowd out” some of Samsung’s Galaxy S26 coverage and marketing, especially if Samsung holds a late‑February launch event. (Wccftech)
Galaxy S26 timing is still leak-driven, but the window is narrowing
Across reporting this week, the most common expectation is:
- Galaxy Unpacked: around February 25, 2026 (Tom’s Guide)
- In-store / release timing: around March 11, 2026 (though “mid‑March” is also being floated) (TechRadar)
If Pixel 10a really hits shelves on February 17, it could get a full week+ of headlines and early sales before Samsung dominates the conversation again.
Galaxy S26 Ultra leaks today (Jan 15): cameras, memory, and charging chatter
While Pixel 10a leaks are about value and timing, Galaxy S26 Ultra rumors today are about premium hardware.
Camera apertures & memory tiers:
SamMobile reports another leak claiming the S26 Ultra may use wider apertures—f/1.4 for the 200MP main camera and f/2.9 for a 50MP telephoto—plus a configuration that includes 16GB RAM with 1TB storage. (SamMobile)
Faster charging talk:
A separate SamMobile report says Samsung could move to 60W “Super Fast Charging 3.0,” while noting the real‑world improvement in 30‑minute charging might be incremental versus existing 45W behavior. (SamMobile)
Design hints via cases:
Android Central points to early case listings that appear to reinforce the current Ultra design leak direction (including rounded corners and a revised rear camera layout). (Android Central)
Possible price pressure:
One Android Central report suggests the Galaxy S26 line could see a $30–$50 increase (with storage strategy changes also discussed), which—if it happens—makes a competitively priced Pixel 10a feel even more strategically timed. (Android Central)
What this means for buyers: wait for Pixel 10a or hold out for Galaxy S26?
If the leaks hold, these phones will target totally different buyers—but they’ll overlap in time.
Pixel 10a likely appeals if you want…
- A lower-cost Pixel with long software support and Google-first features
- A phone that’s likely $499-ish (if U.S. pricing matches the rumor trend) (Android Headlines)
- A smaller spend before Samsung’s flagships land
Galaxy S26 is for you if you want…
- The newest Samsung silicon, cameras, and premium hardware options
- Better odds of top-tier performance and features—likely at a much higher price than a Pixel A-series phone (Tom’s Guide)
What to watch next (the “confirmation checklist”)
If you’re trying to separate real signals from noise, here’s what usually comes next when leaks start aligning:
- More retailer listings (often with model numbers and accessories) (Droid Life)
- Carrier references or certifications showing up more broadly (not just one network) (Wccftech)
- A Google teaser window (even a simple “save the date”)—typically within a few weeks of launch
Until Google confirms anything, treat Feb 17 as a strong candidate, not a guarantee.
FAQ
When is the Google Pixel 10a release date?
Current reporting suggests mid‑February, with February 17, 2026 repeatedly mentioned via retailer listings and leaker posts. (Droid Life)
How much will the Pixel 10a cost?
The most common price rumor is €500 (128GB) and €600 (256GB) in Europe, with $499 widely expected as a likely U.S. starting point if Google mirrors past A-series pricing. (Android Headlines)
What colors will the Pixel 10a come in?
Leaks point to Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, and Berry, with the 256GB model possibly limited to Obsidian. (Wccftech)
Will the Pixel 10a use Tensor G5?
Multiple reports suggest it may stick with a boosted Tensor G4, rather than the flagship Pixel 10 series chip. (Android Headlines)
When is the Samsung Galaxy S26 expected?
Reports point to a February 25, 2026 Unpacked event and a March 11 availability window, though some coverage suggests a mid‑March release. (Tom’s Guide)
