Pixel 11a will probably be a Pixel 10a clone – and I’m all for it
The Pixel 11a has leaked, and it’s bad news for fans of design innovation.
If CAD renders from Android Headlines are to be believed, Google’s next mid-range phone will look almost identical to the current Pixel 10a. Which, itself, was almost unchanged compared to the Pixel 9a. There’s a bit of a theme emerging…
Usually, I’d lambast a company for sticking with basically the same design for three years in a row. But the Pixel 11a is a rare exception – here’s why.
The Pixel 10a already has a unique aesthetic…
To say the Pixel 9a divided opinion when it launched would be an understatement. It ditched the camera bar that had become synonymous with Pixel phones in favour of a boring, black camera blob.
However, this understated design actually stands out from the crowd of huge, unmistakable camera bumps on the market. Even in 2026, there’s no phone quite like the Pixel 10a.
Chris Martin / Foundy
So, whether you like the leaked Pixel 11a design (with its very slightly shorter camera oval) or not, it’s undoubtedly distinctive. For that reason alone, there was no need for Google to mess with an aesthetic that still gets people talking.
I’ve become resigned to the fact that the Pixel A-series isn’t getting a telephoto lens anytime soon. Until then, I’m very happy for it to stick with this approach.
…and flush cameras are so nice
To get one of the best camera phones on the planet, you’re basically accepting a huge camera bump. It’s impossible to include top-tier camera hardware without it – unless you want a very chunky device!
But what if you’re happy with a mid-range phone with cameras that are just solid and dependable? The vast majority still have significant camera bumps, but Google has proven that it can be done.
The Pixel 10a is arguably the best camera phone in its class, yet the lenses completely fade into the background when you’re not using them. As an added bonus, you can easily use the phone case-free and face up on a table, without worrying about it wobbling all over the place.
Chris Martin / Foundy
Why would Google give that up just to blend in with the crowd?
Google is delivering on colour
Of course, if you plan to go case-free, the colour options on a phone are absolutely crucial. A variation on black or silver is always a safe bet, but what if you want something more colourful?
Google undoubtedly delivered on the Pixel 11 series, and it looks set to do the same on the 11a. The Android Headlines renders only show one colour, but what a banger it is.
The site is calling it ‘Orchid’, but admits that this may not be the official name. It’s a more muted version of the ‘Hibiscus’, we saw on the Pixel 11, so it should be a little easier on the eyes. If the renders are at all accurate, it could be one of my favourite phone colours of the year.
OnLeaks x Android Headlines
The other rumoured colours – ‘Obsidian’, ‘Fog’ and ‘Orchid’ – have all been seen before, but round out a really appealing selection. Let’s hope the Pixel 11a is durable and grippy enough to be comfortably shown off without a case.
Pricing is far more important
The most crucial detail is the one we probably won’t know until much closer to launch: price.
Android Headlines speculates that we could see a rise to $599, which would almost certainly trigger a £599 price tag in the UK. But this doesn’t appear to be based on any concrete evidence – only the current global RAM shortage, which is driving up prices across the phone market.
Google could match its approach on the Pixel 11 series, doubling the base storage to 256GB, meaning you technically don’t pay more for the same amount of storage.
A lot could change between now and spring 2027, when we expect to see the Pixel. But early signs suggest it could be a real contender for the best mid-range phone of the year.
