Apple iPhone Air vs Google Pixel 10a

Our Verdict: Start with the practical differences: the Apple iPhone Air offers the larger 6.5" screen versus 6.3", the sharper 18MP selfie camera, up to 1TB storage, whereas the Google Pixel 10a gives you the larger 5100mAh battery, with the usual caveat that capacity is not the whole battery-life story. The Google Pixel 10a is currently cheaper on the lowest total contract cost at about £366, roughly £254 less than the Apple iPhone Air. Software preference matters as well, because this is an iOS versus Android choice as much as a hardware comparison. That makes the Google Pixel 10a the value-led pick, unless the larger 6.5" screen versus 6.3" on the Apple iPhone Air is worth paying extra for.

Over a full contract, the Pixel 10a works out around £359 all-in, about £462 less than the iPhone Air.

Expert Rating
3.9
12 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen
6.5" 6.3"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED P-OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Resolution
1206 x 2622 1080 x 2424
Pixels Per Inch
444 421
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera
18 Megapixels 13 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) Google Tensor G4 (4nm)
Battery
3,149 mAh 5,100 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 16
SIM Type
e- SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth
6.0, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm 153.9 x 73 x 9 mm
Weight
165 grams 183 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts
£29.99/mo (£79.00 upfront) £12.99/mo (£25.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£589.99 £344.99

Prices updated 26 July 2026

Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air Google Pixel 10a Google Pixel 10a
Expert Rating 3.9
12 reviews
4.2
11 reviews
Screen 6.5" 6.3"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED P-OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Resolution 1206 x 2622 1080 x 2424
Pixels Per Inch 444 421
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 48 Megapixels
Front Camera 18 Megapixels 13 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) Google Tensor G4 (4nm)
Battery 3,149 mAh 5,100 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android 16
SIM Type e- SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE 6.0, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm 153.9 x 73 x 9 mm
Weight 165 grams 183 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts £29.99/mo
£79.00 upfront
£12.99/mo
£25.00 upfront
SIM-free £589.99 £344.99
Prices updated 26 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone Air
Apple iPhone Air

24 Months

256GB

Sky Blue

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£29.99 per month, £79 upfront.

Use code: IDM10OFF (£10)

Google Pixel 10a
Google Pixel 10a

24 Months

128GB

Lavender

30GB

Data

£12.99 per month, £25 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 10a cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Google Pixel 10a is cheaper on contract at £359.16 over the life of the deal from £12.99 per month with £25.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 10a?

The Apple iPhone Air has the bigger screen at 6.5" compared to the Google Pixel 10a's 6.3", the Apple iPhone Air has the sharper display at 444 pixels per inch versus 421, and the Apple iPhone Air uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Google Pixel 10a has a P-OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak).

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 10a?

The Apple iPhone Air features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Google Pixel 10a has a 48 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 10a?

The Google Pixel 10a is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £344.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone Air and Google Pixel 10a?

The Apple iPhone Air is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Google Pixel 10a comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone Air and Google Pixel 10a use?

The Apple iPhone Air is powered by the Apple A19 Pro (3 nm), while the Google Pixel 10a uses the Google Tensor G4 (4nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 10a?

It's a trade-off: the Apple iPhone Air is lighter but the Google Pixel 10a is more compact. It's 18g lighter at 165 grams, though the Google Pixel 10a is actually the more compact phone at 153.9 x 73 x 9 mm, the Apple iPhone Air is slimmer at 5.6mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 10a?

The Apple iPhone Air is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Google Pixel 10a is rated IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone Air and Google Pixel 10a run?

The Apple iPhone Air runs Apple iOS and the Google Pixel 10a runs Android 16. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.