The Pixel 10a finally got interesting – but there’s a catch

Google has announced a new special edition of its Pixel 10a smartphone, but there’s a catch.

It’s fair to say we weren’t exactly bowled over by the Google Pixel 10a. Google’s latest is a fine mid-range smartphone in isolation, but also happens to be a dead ringer for last year’s model, the Google Pixel 9a.

Google has just added a welcome sprinkling of individuality to the Pixel 10a with a new special edition, but you probably won’t be able to take advantage of it.

Over on the company’s Japanese storefront, it has launched a special edition of the Google Pixel 10a in an attractive new Isai Blue colour. This was made in conjunction with the Heralbony lifestyle brand, which works closely with neurodivergent artists.

What’s included in the Pixel 10a Isai Blue edition

The Isai Blue colour itself offers a much deeper and richer shade of blue than the regular Lavender model. It also bundles in a matching blue bumper case.

This special edition model offers beautiful custom-designed box art, bespoke Material You UI elements that include themed wallpapers and icon packs, and a pack of cool Pixel-inspired stickers.

All this, and there doesn’t seem to have been an accompanying price bump, with the same ¥94,900 starting price as the regular Pixel 10a model.

Unfortunately – albeit inevitably – this new limited edition model is a Japan exclusive, so most people won’t be able to grab it.

Here’s hoping this is a precursor to more such collaborations in other territories. It’s just the kind of distinctive spark the Pixel 10a needs to differentiate it from its predecessor.

In more positive news for the Pixel 10a, a recent online teardown has revealed it to be a commendably repairable phone. PBKreviews has issued a video that offers the Pixel 10a full marks for the ability to source replacement parts, as well as the ease of replacing its screen and battery.