Okay, so the Pixel 10a is here, and honestly? It's not a massive leap from the 9a. I mean, they share a lot of the same DNA: similar chipset, RAM, camera setup, even the overall design. If your 9a is still kicking, there's really no compelling reason to upgrade. It seems like the trend nowadays is to do small iterations instead of trying to reinvent the wheel, which seems like a logical approach from manufacturers.

Look, I know some people are bummed that phones aren't changing as drastically as they used to. Remember when each year brought a whole new world of features? Those days are pretty much gone. Now, we're seeing more subtle upgrades, and I think that's actually okay. For the average person who just wants a reliable phone that works, predictability is a good thing.

The Pixel 10a does have a few enhancements. We are talking about faster charging, a slightly brighter screen with tougher glass, and the inclusion of Bluetooth 6.0. Oh, and there's satellite SOS, which is great if you find yourself in a sticky situation without cell service. So, yes, the 10a is technically better, but the improvements might not be super noticeable in day-to-day use.

When you consider that the 10a is priced the same as the 9a was, I don't really see the similarities as a major issue. What I think is important is that the smartphone category has plateaued. It's been a while since we've seen truly groundbreaking innovation.

Think back to the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra from six years ago. That phone had a high-resolution display, a powerful camera system, plenty of RAM, and a big battery with fast charging. Many of those specs are still relevant today. So, you see, it takes much more to be really impressed nowadays.

However, these little improvements really add up. I can see that the premium features are slowly making their way to more budget-friendly phones. Most of the time the main reason for someone to consider a new device is when their old phone stops working. It makes sense.

Even for us tech enthusiasts, it's getting harder to get excited. Sure, Qi2 charging on the Pixel 10 is nice, but I can always grab a Qi2-compatible case for my older phone. It is an alternative.

I do not think that phone makers will stop releasing new phones every year, but holding onto your current phone for longer is now more feasible than ever. Every year the changes are getting smaller, and companies like Samsung, Google, and Apple keep their devices updated for a long time after they launch.

While new releases may not have the same excitement as before, new phones offer better reliability and durability than ever before. It's comforting to know that you can use something like the $499 Pixel 10a for the better part of a decade if you take care of it, especially with the rising cost of living and the increasing need for RAM in the AI industry, which puts pressure on the price of electronics.