Phone vs phone
Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a
Same question, two phones: which costs less over a 24-month contract, which is cheaper to buy outright, and what you actually get for the difference.
bemobiles tips
Which is cheaper over 24 months?
Pixel 10a — its best deal costs £411.96 including April rises, £80 less than the Pixel 9a.
Which has the bigger screen and battery?
Screen: Pixel 10a 6.3″, Pixel 9a 6.3″. Battery: Pixel 10a 5,100 mAh, Pixel 9a 5,100 mAh.
Is it cheaper to buy either one outright?
Pixel 10a: £743 SIM-free plus SIM only. Pixel 9a: £493. Compare with the contract totals above.
Pixel 10a£411.96
Pixel 9a£491.96True total of the cheapest deal, April rises included
Live from retailers, rises estimated for a contract starting this month.
The Pixel 10a is the cheaper of the two today: its best contract costs £411.96 over 24 months with April rises, against £491.96 for the Pixel 9a — a gap of £80, or about £3.33 a month.
Prices checked 28 October 2026 · How we compare
Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a, side by side
| Pixel 10a | Pixel 9a | |
|---|---|---|
| True total (24 months) | £411.96 | £491.96 |
| Cheapest network | iD Mobile | iD Mobile |
| Upfront on that deal | £9 | £89 |
| Monthly on that deal | £14.99 | £14.99 |
| Lowest monthly anywhere | £13 | £14 |
| SIM-free price from | £599 | £349 |
| SIM-free + SIM only, 24 months | £743 | £493 |
| Contract deals tracked | 954 | 91 |
| Screen | 6.3 inches | 6.3 inches |
| Battery | 5,100 mAh | 5,100 mAh |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB |
| Weight | 183 g | 186 g |
| Released | February 2026 | April 2025 |
| Colours on sale | 4 | 1 |
Highlighted = better on that line. Prices live from retailers; specifications from our data partner’s catalogue.
Network by network
If you already know which network you want, here is the cheapest deal for each phone on it, April rises included.
| Network | Pixel 10a | Pixel 9a | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| iD Mobile | £411.96 | £491.96 | £80 |
| Vodafone | £501 | £549 | £48 |
Our verdict
On price, the Pixel 10a wins: £80 less over two years once each network’s April rises are counted. That is £3.33 a month — enough to matter unless the Pixel 9a does something you need.
On the spec sheet, the Pixel 10a is the newer phone (February 2026).
Buying outright: Pixel 10a SIM-free plus SIM only costs £743, more than its cheapest contract; the Pixel 9a costs £493, more than its contract.
Pick the Pixel 10a if…
- You want the lowest monthly price — from £13 a month vs £14
- You want the lower total — £80 less over 24 months
- You prefer a lighter phone
- You want the newer model with longer support ahead
Pick the Pixel 9a if…
- You want to pay less on the day — from £0 upfront vs £9
- You prefer Google or the Pixel 9a’s design
FAQ
Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a questions
Which is cheaper, the Pixel 10a or the Pixel 9a?
The Pixel 10a. Its cheapest contract costs £411.96 over 24 months including April rises, £80 less than the Pixel 9a (£491.96).
What is the cheapest network for each?
For the Pixel 10a it is iD Mobile (£9 upfront, £14.99 a month); for the Pixel 9a it is iD Mobile (£89 upfront, £14.99 a month).
Is the Pixel 10a bigger than the Pixel 9a?
The Pixel 10a has a 6.3-inch screen and the Pixel 9a a 6.3-inch screen; they weigh 183 g and 186 g.
How much are they to buy outright?
SIM-free, the Pixel 10a starts at £599 and the Pixel 9a at £349, from retailers we track.