The Pixel 9a offered characteristics almost identical to those of Pixel 9, although with a slightly later output window. Today, Google has made the Pixel 10 Pro just as not very relevant.
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The standard Google Pixel has always seemed a little difficult to sell, while Historically, Google released a “A” version of the current generation of handsets a few months later. Of course, the “A” variants had a slightly less good screen and camera, but they were always equipped with the same processor and often with a larger battery. If we compare the launch prices, the Pixel 9a was $ 300 cheaper for significantly identical characteristics. Of course, the pixels rarely keep their PDSF for a long time, but even when writing this article, there is still a price difference of $ 302 when purchasing the Pixel 9 or the Pixel 9a on Amazon.
However, with the release of the Pixel 10 range, it seems that Google has made its smallest “pro” model completely out of the start from the start.
Even on paper, the differences between standard and pro models are minor. The standard Pixel 10 has a slightly less efficient screen (mainly resolution, cooling and brightness rate, but it still offers 120 Hz), a little less of RAM (12 GB against 16 GB) and a less efficient camera (we will come back in a moment), as well as better battery and identical construction quality.
It is at the camera that things are starting to spoil. The 5X telephoto lens was previously the main factor of differentiation between standard and pro models, and with the introduction of a 5x telephoto lens on the standard model, unless you are a consumer who likes to immerse himself in specifications, you will find it difficult to justify the $ 200 bonus for the pro model.
The main objective of the non-pro model has a slightly reduced opening ƒ/1.70 against ƒ/1.68 and a little fewer megapixels. The ultra-large on the non-pro model has fewer megapixels, a smaller opening and a slightly narrower field of vision. It is certainly a lower specification, but which is a zoom before from an ultra-large?
The 5x zoom also has fewer megapixels, a smaller opening and a slightly reduced field of vision. Recadent a 10 megapixel sensor compared to a 40 megapixel sensor will not give excellent results, but let’s be realistic, crop any sensor to increase the zoom is not a good substitute for optics. Google’s “pro” zoom is not really renowned for producing high quality photos of high quality shots. On the Pixel 9 Pro, everything that exceeds the 10x zoom becomes an oil paint, and shots without cropping are generally much better. Also let’s not forget that the standard configuration of the camera of the Pixel 10 is almost identical to that of the Pixel 10 Fold, which also bears the mention “pro”.
Google’s decision to add a standard Pixel 10 telephoto lens is not a bad thing. It is time that more manufacturers realize that everyone does not want a wide and ultra-large objective, a functionality offered on the Midfoot Nothing 3A last March. However, Google has just made much more difficult the justification for the Pixel 10 Pro when the standard Pixel 10 saves you $ 200 with only very minor compromises.