Mid-range phones just got more expensive.
On October 2, 2026, Google raised the price of the Pixel 10a at the Google Store. The 128GB model went from $499 to $599. The 256GB model now costs $699. According to 9to5Google, Amazon and Best Buy had already moved to the new prices the same day.
Google did not announce the change. Droid Life and 9to5Google both said Google had not commented when they reported it. The likely reason is the rising cost of parts like memory, but that is the press reading the situation, not Google's explanation. When Google confirmed that the Pixel 11 would cost more than the Pixel 10, 9to5Google notes it said higher prices would eventually reach Pixel phones already on sale.
Google was not alone. Samsung raised the Galaxy S26 line by $100 on October 1, and BGR reports the Galaxy A57 5G now starts at $599.99. That means the Pixel 10a, the Galaxy A57 and Apple's iPhone 17e all now start at about $600. So which one should you buy?
Key dates
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 18, 2026 | Google announces the Pixel 10a at $499 |
| March 2, 2026 | Apple announces the iPhone 17e at $599 |
| March 5, 2026 | Pixel 10a goes on sale |
| April 2026 | Galaxy A57 5G goes on sale in the U.S. at $549.99 |
| October 1, 2026 | Samsung raises Galaxy S26 prices by $100 |
| October 2, 2026 | Pixel 10a rises to $599 (128GB) and $699 (256GB) |
| Early 2027 | Pixel 11a expected (Feb or March, per reports) |
New prices at a glance
| Phone | Old U.S. price | New U.S. price |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel 10a 128GB | $499 | $599 |
| Pixel 10a 256GB | Not stated by our sources | $699 |
| Galaxy A57 5G 128GB | $549.99 | $599.99 |
| Galaxy A57 5G 256GB | $609.99 | $679.99 |
| iPhone 17e 256GB | $599 | $599 (no change reported) |
| iPhone 17e 512GB | $799 | $799 (no change reported) |
Outside the U.S., 9to5Google lists the new Pixel 10a price as $849 CAD in Canada, £599 in the UK and €649 in Europe.
One thing to know: BGR's article on the Galaxy A57 is not fully consistent. Its text says the 128GB model is "down $50," but its own numbers show a rise from $549.99 to $599.99. We are going by the numbers. Retail prices also move a lot. Our sources have seen the A57 listed well below its list price at some stores.
Specs side by side
| Pixel 10a | Galaxy A57 5G | iPhone 17e | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $599 (128GB) | $599.99 (128GB) | $599 (256GB) |
| Screen | 6.3-inch, up to 120Hz, up to 3,000 nits | 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz | 6.1-inch, 60Hz, up to 1,200 nits |
| Chip | Google Tensor G4 | Exynos 1680 | Apple A19 |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB |
| Battery | 5,100mAh | 5,000mAh | 4,005mAh |
| Wired charging | 30W (one source says 45W) | 45W | Not covered in our sources |
| Wireless charging | 10W, no Qi2 magnets | None | Up to 15W with MagSafe and Qi2 |
| Rear cameras | Not covered in our sources | 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro | One 48MP camera |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 on Samsung's U.S. listing (some reports say IP67) | Not covered in our sources |
| Updates | 7 years | 6 OS updates, 6 years of security | Not covered in our sources |
Where each one wins
- Pixel 10a wins on software and support. You get seven years of Android, security and Pixel Drop updates, plus Google's AI features like Gemini, Call Screen and Camera Coach. The screen is also the brightest of the three on paper. The weak spot is the chip. 9to5Google calls the Tensor G4 "two-generation-old," and that matters more at $599 than it did at $499.
- Galaxy A57 wins on size and charging speed. It has the biggest screen here at 6.7 inches, 45W wired charging and the option of 12GB of RAM. It has no wireless charging at all, though.
- iPhone 17e wins on storage and chip. It is the only one that starts at 256GB, and the A19 is Apple's current-generation chip. But the screen is 60Hz, and there is just one rear camera. It also has the smallest battery of the three.
Check Pixel 10a price on Amazon
The big change is value. At $499, the Pixel 10a was $100 cheaper than the iPhone 17e. Now they cost the same, and the iPhone gives you twice the storage for that money.
Which should you buy?
- You want clean Android and want to keep your phone for years: get the Pixel 10a. Seven years of updates is still a strong reason to pick it.
- You watch a lot of video or want fast charging: get the Galaxy A57. Check current prices first, since it has sold for less than list at some stores.
- You already use an iPhone, or need more storage: get the iPhone 17e. At the same price, 256GB is a real advantage.
- You want a deal: look at bundles. Amazon has listed a Pixel 10a bundle with a $100 Amazon gift card. Check if it is still running before you buy.
- Wait: if your phone still works, there is no rush. Holiday sales could bring these prices down, and the Pixel 11a is expected in early 2027. Just do not count on it being cheaper. Reports suggest memory costs are pushing all phone prices up.
Check Galaxy A57 price on Amazon
To see the full spec sheets, visit our Pixel 10a, Galaxy A57 and iPhone 17e pages, or put them side by side in our compare tool. For more on why prices are rising, read our Samsung production cuts and phone prices article.
Other tech news this week
- Apple holds its "Welcome home" launch on October 13. See our Apple October 13 event preview.
- Meta starts shipping Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses on October 13. Read our Ray-Ban Meta Audio vs Gen 3 vs Gen 2 article.
- Apple opens iPhone Duo pre-orders on October 16. Read our iPhone Duo pre-order guide.
Sources
- Google Store: Pixel 10a
- 9to5Google: Google raises Pixel 10a price
- Droid Life: Pixel 10a price increased to $599
- BGR: Every Samsung phone getting a price hike in October 2026
- Droid Life: Pixel 10a official at $499
- PhoneArena: Google Pixel 10a is official
- PhoneArena: Samsung Galaxy A57 5G specs
- WePC: iPhone 17e release date, specs and price
- Gigazine: iPhone 17e announced
Image: Google Pixel 10a, via the Google Store.
