The well-rounded mid-ranger
The design of the rumored Google Pixel 10a feels uninspired in comparison with the Motorola Edge 2025, however Google could also be getting all the things else proper. The cellphone ought to have a greater chipset with sharper optimizations, much less bloatware, and a for much longer software program replace promise.
Execs
- “Boosted” Google Tensor G4 chip onboard
- Rumor suggests Google may slim down the digicam bump
- We may see a brighter show and Qi2 magnets
Cons
- Restricted enhancements in comparison with the Pixel 9a and earlier
- Solely two rear cameras
- Sluggish wired and wi-fi charging speeds
The fashionable mid-ranger
The Motorola Edge 2025 is a midrange cellphone that appears like a flagship one, full with a skinny design, an anti-slip vegan leather-based again, and a triple-camera rear system. Underneath the hood, although, the specs mirror this cellphone’s value level. The cellphone has a gradual MediaTek processor and gradual RAM to match, with minimal deliberate upgrades and a ton of bloat.
Execs
- Triple-camera setup highlighted by 50MP essential sensor
- IP68 safety for excessive sturdiness
- Quick 68W wired charging
Cons
- Sluggish processor and RAM
- Solely two Android OS upgrades promised
- Sluggish efficiency and Motorola bloatware onboard
The selection between the upcoming Google Pixel 10a and Motorola Edge 2025 may show to be one between type and substance. Here is how we anticipate the 2 midrange Android handsets to match.
Google Pixel 10a vs. Motorola Edge 2025: Pricing and availability
The Google Pixel 10a is predicted to launch sooner than common this yr, with the reveal rumored for Feb. 18, 2026. This leaked date comes from Evan Blass, who confirmed pre-order and retail availability on X (previously Twitter). Pre-orders will open on that date, however normal retail availability will not come till March 5, 2026, per the rumor. The value is predicted to remain the identical because the Pixel 9a, which retailed for $500 at launch.
The storage configurations are tabbed to stay an identical to the prior technology, too. The Google Pixel 10a base mannequin will doubtless provide 8GB of reminiscence and 128GB of storage, whereas the upgraded mannequin ought to present 8GB of reminiscence and 256GB of storage. For the second straight yr, we’re anticipating each configurations to be accessible in each colorway.
The Motorola Edge 2025 launched at a excessive $550 retail value when it debuted in June 2025. That value level proved to be steep, contemplating the underpowered {hardware}. You do get 256GB of storage for that value, which is cheaper than the anticipated price of the 256GB Pixel 10a.
Notably, the worth of Edge 2025 fashions has come down since its preliminary launch, and you could find it as little as $400 on the time of publishing. That can definitely assist Motorola compete with Google and creates a good worth proposition for the Edge 2025.
Google Pixel 10a vs. Motorola Edge 2025: Design and show
The design is a significant tick in favor of the Motorola Edge 2025. Whereas the final Pixel A-series mannequin added IP68 certification for the primary time, and the Pixel 10a must also provide it, Motorola takes {that a} step additional on the Edge 2025. It helps each IP68 and IP69, the latter of which extends safety in opposition to high-temperature and high-pressure water jets. Plus, the Motorola Edge 2025 can also be MIL-STD-810H licensed.
Motorola’s leather-based again on the Edge 2025 is one much less factor to crack. All instructed, the Motorola Edge 2025 might be extra sturdy than the Pixel 10a. You most likely do not want IP69 certification in your smartphone, but it surely’s a pleasant bonus.
The biggest differentiator between the Motorola Edge 2025 and the Google Pixel 10a would be the telephones’ type issue. The Edge 2025 packs a punch with its 6.7-inch pOLED show, which dwarfs the 6.3-inch display we anticipate to see on the Pixel 10a. The general physique is bigger consequently, with the Edge 2025 measuring 161.19 x 73.06 x 7.99 millimeters. This may not be ultimate for individuals who like compact telephones, but it surely’s nice for these wanting the dimensions of a flagship with the worth of a price range machine.
Though the Motorola Edge 2025 is taller than the Google Pixel 10a’s rumored dimensions, it’s anticipated to be thinner and lighter. It’s going to be virtually a millimeter thinner and almost 5 grams lighter, if present projections maintain. This may assist the Edge 2025 really feel slimmer and extra fashionable within the hand regardless of the bigger total footprint.
Each telephones use pOLED panels with refresh charges that may hit 120Hz. The Motorola Edge 2025 is barely sharper at 446 pixels-per-inch (ppi), whereas the Pixel 10a ought to are available in at 422ppi.
The wild card right here is whether or not the Google Pixel 10a helps Qi2 charging. Google added inbuilt magnets to the Pixel 10 collection for full compatibility with the Qi2, MagSafe, and Pixelsnap ecosystems. If the Pixel 10a will get the identical remedy, it may very well be simpler to cost and use equipment with this mid-ranger than with the Motorola Edge 2025.
Google Pixel 10a vs. Motorola Edge 2025: {Hardware} and specs
Google is not anticipated to make main adjustments to the Pixel 10a {hardware}, and present rumors level to the corporate retaining specs largely the identical because the Pixel 9a. To that finish, we’d see a recycled Tensor G4 chip seem on the Pixel 10a. It may very well be a “boosted” variant, however nonetheless is likely to be the identical processor we noticed on the Pixel 9a. Rumors additionally declare the reminiscence allotment will stay at 8GB, so these hoping for extra could find yourself dissatisfied.
That also could also be sufficient for the Pixel 10a to beat the Motorola Edge 2025 on the {hardware} entrance. It is utilizing a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 chip and 8GB of slower LPDDR4X reminiscence. In our testing, we discovered the Edge 2025 to really feel sluggish and gradual at instances because of the underpowered {hardware}.
|
Class |
Google Pixel 10a (rumored/anticipated) |
Motorola Edge 2025 |
|---|---|---|
|
OS |
Android 16, seven OS updates to Android 23, seven years of safety updates via 2033 |
Android 15, two OS updates to Android 17, three years of safety updates via June 2028 |
|
Show |
6.3-inch pOLED, 20:9 facet ratio, 2,424 x 1,080 (422 PPI), 60–120Hz, as much as 1,800 nits (HDR) or 2,700 nits (peak brightness), Gorilla Glass 3, Full 24-bit depth for 16 million colours |
6.7-inch pOLED, 2712 x 1220 decision (446 ppi), 120Hz refresh price |
|
Chipset |
“Boosted” Google Tensor G4 (4nm), Arm Mali-G715, Titan M2 |
MediaTek Dimensity 7400 |
|
RAM |
8GB LPDDR5X |
8GB LPDDR4X |
|
Storage |
128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 |
256GB uMCP |
|
Rear digicam 1 |
48MP Quad PD Twin Pixel, ƒ/1.7, 82º, 1/2″ picture sensor, Tremendous Res Zoom as much as 8x, OIS, 4K at 60fps |
50MP, Sony Lytia 700C, f/1.8, 1.0μm pixel dimension, 2.0μm quad pixel binning, quad PDAF, OIS |
|
Rear digicam 2 |
13MP UW, ƒ/2.2, 120° FoV |
50MP, ultrawide + macro, 120-degree FoV, macro imaginative and prescient, f/2.0, 1.28μm quad-binned to 12MP, PDAF |
|
Rear digicam 3 |
N/A |
10MP, telephoto, 3x optical zoom, f/2.0, 1.0μm, OIS |
|
Entrance digicam |
13MP, ƒ/2.2, 96.1º |
50MP, f/1.9, 1.28μm quad-binned, PDAF |
|
Ingress safety |
IP68 mud and water resistance |
IP68/IP69, MIL-STD-810H |
|
Connectivity |
5G bands, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC |
|
Safety |
Optical in-screen fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Optical in-screen fingerprint sensor |
|
Audio |
USB Sort-C 3.2, stereo audio system, 2 mics |
USB Sort-C OTG, stereo audio system |
|
Battery |
5,100mAh, 30+ hour battery life, 100 hours with Excessive Battery Saver |
5,200mAh |
|
Charging |
23W wired, 7.5W Qi-certified wi-fi |
68W wired (not included in field), 15W wi-fi, USB PD 3.0 |
|
Dimensions |
154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9mm, 185.9g |
161.19 x 73.06 x 7.99 mm, 181g |
|
Colours |
Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony, Iris |
PANTONE Deep Forest (vegan leather-based again) |
The software program state of affairs for the Motorola Edge 2025 is tough, too. It shipped with Android 15 and was solely assured to come back with two main OS upgrades. When it launched, Android 16 was already accessible, placing it behind from the beginning. In the meantime, the Google Pixel 10a ought to launch with Android 16 and include seven years of full OS upgrades thereafter.
One space the Motorola Edge 2025 exceeded expectations is the digicam system. It contains 4 whole cameras, they usually’re all strong. There is a 50MP major shooter, a 50MP ultrawide digicam, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP selfie digicam. That is a standout array for a cellphone on this value level, and it will be onerous for Google to beat it.
The Google Pixel 10a is predicted to ship with a 48MP essential digicam, a 13MP ultrawide, and a 13MP selfie digicam. The principle digicam is respectable, however the Edge 2025 doubtless clears in each different space of the digicam {hardware}.
Google Pixel 10a vs. Motorola Edge 2025: Which do you have to purchase?
We got here away dissatisfied from our time with the Motorola Edge 2025, and that offers Google a straightforward opening to solidify the Pixel 10a as one of the best Android mid-ranger. The Motorola Edge 2025 merely lagged and stuttered an excessive amount of for a cellphone costing $550, and the mere two years of Android OS upgrades pales compared to Google’s seven years of full assist. Motorola’s frequent offers and service promotions make the worth extra palatable, but it surely’s not sufficient.
Except you want a premium design and a triple-camera rear system, your cash would doubtless be higher spent on the Google Pixel 10a.
Whereas we do not know precisely what the Pixel 10a will provide, it is secure to imagine a number of issues. One, that the cellphone will no less than be powered by the Tensor G4 chip (or newer) and that it’ll include no less than seven years of Android OS upgrades. That alone is sufficient to make the Pixel 10a a greater purchase than the Motorola Edge 2025, so it is price ready for.
The smart possibility
Whereas Motorola is making it powerful to put money into mid-rangers missing in software program assist, Google is doing the alternative. The Google Pixel 10a ought to include seven years of full Android OS improve assist, beginning with Android 16. It is a straightforward cellphone to purchase into and be assured it’s going to final for years to come back.
The flashy alternative
Motorola’s specs and software program assist make the Edge 2025 a tough machine, but it surely’s onerous to argue with the cellphone’s type. The vegan leather-based again, IP69 sturdiness ranking, and nice display assist the Edge 2025 punch above its weight class.
