The Pixel 10a just dropped to $449, but here’s why you should buy the Pixel 10 instead

Google’s new Pixel 10a is currently getting its first real discount, dropping to $449 at Best Buy. And while a $50 discount on a month-old phone is usually a great reason to hit the buy button, there is a catch this time around. The flagship Pixel 10 is also currently on sale for $549, and that $100 difference makes the Pixel 10a a very tough sell.

While the Pixel 10a is a decent device with a 3000-nit screen and a sleek, flush camera bar, it is held back by its internal hardware. Because it only packs 8GB of RAM, it misses out on some of the best AI features Google launched this year, like Pixel Screenshots and Magic Cue. By spending the extra $100 on the standard Pixel 10, you get 12GB of RAM, which unlocks those advanced features and provides a lot more overhead.

You are also getting a much more premium build with the flagship model. The Pixel 10 features “PixelSnap”—Google’s version of MagSafe—which allows you to use a whole ecosystem of magnetic chargers and accessories that the 10a simply can’t support. You also get faster charging and a more capable camera system that goes beyond the iterative updates found in the A-series.

But what it really comes down to is future-proofing. For most people, I think the $100 price bump will be well worth it to move from a midrange experience to a true flagship. Unless you specifically prefer the 10a’s unique colors or its flush-mounted camera design or have a strict $449 budget, the standard Pixel 10 at $549 is the one that I’d recommend picking up!