We're still weeks out from Google's official Pixel 10 launch day, but like clockwork in tech, the phones seem to have few secrets left. Google itself has already teased the Pixel 10 series multiple times, and plenty of other rumors and details have leaked out.
At first glance, it looks like a small upgrade everywhere. The phones appear almost identical to last year's models, and there are no major camera changes. Honestly, I felt pretty underwhelmed about the August 20th launch. But then I paused. When I thought about the meaningful improvements we should see in this series, I realized we're probably all underestimating this Pixel 10 launch. To remind you, here are the five biggest expected changes and why, in my view, they actually matter a lot.
Rumors about Google's first fully self-designed Tensor G5 processor for the Pixel 10 are getting specific. We now expect the Pixel 10 series to use this custom chip, built by TSMC using their advanced 3nm technology.
That marks a huge change from past Tensor chips. Earlier versions weren't fully Google's own; they were based heavily on Samsung's Exynos designs and made in Samsung's factories using older 5nm or 4nm processes. This switch to a truly custom Tensor G5 made on TSMC's cutting-edge 3nm node is a significant step up, promising major improvements.
Frankly, Google's Tensor G5 chip has a lot to prove. Since the Pixel 6 switched to Tensor, users have faced slower speeds than rivals, phones getting too hot (based on many reports), frequent connection drops, and batteries draining way too fast. It's telling: even Samsung uses Qualcomm chips in its top Galaxy S25 Ultra, and Qualcomm itself moved its Snapdragon chip production away from Samsung Foundry after the troubled 8 Gen 1. Why? Samsung's 4nm chip-making process simply hasn't delivered strong results. Yet, every Tensor chip so far has been built using this same problematic Samsung technology.
That's why the big switch matters. Moving the Tensor G5 production to TSMC's advanced 3nm process is genuinely exciting. Imagine a faster phone that doesn't turn into a pocket heater on a summer day, with a battery that easily lasts well past 8 PM without dying. If the Tensor G5 delivers these real-world improvements, it would be the Pixel 10's biggest win for me. Achieving that alone would make upgrading totally worthwhile.
Big news for Google fans! For the first time ever, the standard Pixel 10 will include a powerful telephoto lens – that's a special camera designed for clear zoomed-in shots, letting you get close to distant subjects. We've known this for months, ever since reliable leaks revealed its specs: an 11-megapixel camera sensor made by Samsung.
But here’s the cool part: it’s the exact same zoom sensor found in Google’s pricier, foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold model! Since that initial report, more pictures and details have surfaced, confirming this exciting upgrade. So even though I might not personally use the base Pixel 10 as my daily phone, this camera addition is genuinely thrilling for smartphone photography fans.
"Everyone wants to zoom, even if they don’t realize it yet." I wrote that months ago, and it's still true. Every friend or family member I've convinced to buy a regular Pixel phone later tells me they're disappointed. They see others using iPhones or Samsung phones capturing clear shots of their kids at school plays or favorite concerts – something their new, fairly expensive Pixel couldn't do. When everyone around you has flagships making telephoto lens zoom standard, your phone feels like it's missing out if it can't zoom well.
Seriously, Google putting this telephoto lens in the basic Pixel 10 is huge news. Even if it’s not as powerful as the Pro version, it finally gives decent zoom to most people. I’ve used this exact zoom sensor on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold; it’s definitely better than no optical zoom and works great for everyday moments. That’s fantastic news for my parents, friends, and anyone who can’t splurge on a top-tier Pixel Pro. This move really pushes Samsung and Apple to bring better zoom cameras to their cheaper phones too.
Get ready for a welcome change with the upcoming Pixel 10 series! Google Pixel phones are finally set for meaningful battery and charging upgrades. Combined with expected power savings from the new Tensor G5 chip, users should enjoy noticeably longer battery life and quicker charging times this year. While you probably won't see a full charge in 15 minutes or multi-day endurance like some rivals, any real improvement here is long overdue and very much needed.
Here’s how the new models compare to their Pixel 9 predecessors:
Pixel 10: Steps up to a 4,970mAh battery (vs. 4,700mAh) with 29W wired charging (vs. 21W).
Pixel 10 Pro: Gains a 4,870mAh battery (vs. 4,700mAh) and 29W charging (vs. 27W).
Pixel 10 Pro XL: Boosts capacity to 5,200mAh (vs. 5,060mAh) and charging speed to 39W (vs. 37W).
Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Expected to jump significantly to a 5,015mAh battery (vs. 4,650mAh), potentially with much faster charging than the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's ~21W.
There's no official word yet if the rumored Gemini Space feature will debut on the Pixel 10 or be exclusive to it. But looking at past Pixel launches, it's very likely we'll see it arrive first on the new Google smartphones, followed by older Pixel models a few months later via a Pixel Drop update. So, what makes Gemini Space so interesting?
Essentially, it appears to be a major upgrade to the current "At A Glance" feature (that shows info like sports scores on your home screen). Early details suggest it adds Android 16's live updates, finance tracking, and a mysterious "Daily Hub." My biggest gripe with At A Glance right now is its lack of foresight – I can't see what's coming before Google decides to show it. While the exact purpose of the "Daily Hub" in Gemini Space remains unclear, I'm really hoping it acts like a central page, available early each morning, listing all the useful info At A Glance plans to surface that day. Think of it as Google Now, but smarter and ready for today's world.
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