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The center of August was Pixel 9 season this yr, however together with that launch got here a number of notable troubles. The Tensor G4 processor inside is not any quicker than earlier Tensor processors in each day efficiency — particularly when taking part in video games on the Pixel 9 — the show nonetheless makes use of an abysmally low PWM price, a few of Google’s AI options have been known as ethically questionable, Google as soon as once more raised the value of its newest telephones by $100, and the quantity of space for storing is pitiful for the value.
All of that left a few of us feeling upset. So possibly you ought to wait to purchase a Pixel 10, as an alternative. We’re having a look at what we already know concerning the Pixel 10, together with the brand new Tensor G5 processor, and placing every part collectively so you can also make the best-informed choice along with your hard-earned {dollars} this yr.
The oft-leaked Google Pixel 9 was one of many {industry}’s worst-kept secrets and techniques. That is not significantly shocking given Google’s unfastened monitor report with leaks, and this yr we noticed prototypes and instances within the wild a lot sooner than ordinary. The variety of Pixel 10 leaks continues to be pretty low however, provided that the discharge is not possible till Summer time 2025, we’ve loads of time to take a position primarily based on a number of identified components.
Google Pixel 10: Value and launch date
Google’s present Pixel lineup is a bit convoluted. The Pixel 9 collection debuted in 4 completely different sizes for the primary time ever, and we’re nonetheless anticipating the Pixel 9a to make a debut at a decreased worth someday in Spring 2025. That leaves an enormous query mark on what Google will do for the Pixel 10.
Our ideas are that Google must drop the “Professional” moniker and simply stick to one foremost line of telephones with a secondary line of extra reasonably priced Pixel A-series telephones. For the Pixel 10 collection, that might imply one thing like this:
- Pixel 10a
- Pixel 10
- Pixel 10 XL
- Pixel 10 Fold
The Pixel 9 launched the primary smaller Professional-level mannequin, so we do not count on Google to return on that concept. The smaller Pixel 9 is confusingly lacking options that the “Professional” fashions have, and we predict it could make extra sense for an A-series mannequin to be the one lacking options, if Google goes to proceed doing that.
As for the Pixel 10 launch date, we count on that Google will possible launch the Pixel 10 close to the tip of Summer time 2025. Google launched the Pixel 9 simply 10 months after it debuted the Pixel 8, making it the shortest time between releases we have seen but. There isn’t any motive to count on Google to do that once more, however that may rely upon gross sales of its newest flagships.
Google Pixel 10: Design and shows
The Pixel 9 launched probably the most radical change to Pixel telephone design because the Pixel 6, however that does not imply Google will follow this radical new design language with the Pixel 10. One Pixel 9a leak means that the corporate is already contemplating a distinct course for the longer term, and the corporate’s head designer even stated the Pixel 9’s particular digicam bar design may not stick round endlessly.
The Pixel 9’s flatter design has acquired blended evaluations, one thing the Pixel 6-8 did not actually see. Whereas Google ramped up construct high quality with this launch, the shiny, flat aspect rails not solely make it look an terrible lot like an iPhone, however additionally they make the telephone more durable and fewer snug to carry than extra ergonomic designs just like the Pixel 8a.
Google has modified up the design language on Pixels lots through the years. Pixels one via six all look utterly completely different, and it wasn’t till the Pixel 6 that the corporate appears to have selected the digicam visor because the factor that makes a Pixel primarily appear to be a Pixel. There isn’t any assure of a radical change once more subsequent yr however there’s plenty of historical past behind the corporate doing that, so it would not be a shock.
Not everybody likes the brand new design, however Google has been identified for radically altering the Pixel design language through the years.
The Pixel 9 debuted a brighter AMOLED show than ever, topping out at 3,000 nits. The corporate additionally upgraded the show with a new moist contact characteristic that makes it attainable to make use of the display even with moist fingers, just like how the OnePlus 12 works.
However whereas Google might need one of many brightest telephone shows on the planet, the corporate has utterly ignored {industry} tendencies to make shows extra eye-friendly.
Particularly, the corporate nonetheless makes use of the bottom PWM dimming frequency within the {industry}. At 240Hz, Google’s shows flicker at half the speed of the Samsung Galaxy S24 collection and the newest iPhones. Moreover, telephones just like the OnePlus 12 solely swap to PWM dimming at low brightness and, even once they do, use a considerably larger 2160Hz price.
We all know Google can push this price a lot larger primarily based on our personal testing and the truth that most different smartphone producers already do it.
Google Pixel 10: Cameras
There’s little likelihood we’ll see something radical change with the cameras within the Pixel 10 collection particularly provided that Google continues to push the envelope for AI-centric options. The corporate’s personal head of design stated that the present digicam bar design is especially used to accommodate bigger digicam sensors however that the corporate desires to shrink that going ahead as AI replaces the necessity for extra superior bodily {hardware}.
With tips like Zoom Improve, Google can proceed to shrink the quantity and dimension of digicam sensors on the again with little to no distinction in the long run. It is not going we’ll see this form of change occur with the Professional collection of telephones — which we count on to proceed to make use of a triple digicam system on the again — however the extra budget-minded Pixel telephones may see a change within the digicam bump dimension and form to additional differentiate Professional fashions.
We have additionally seen an uptick within the variety of AI-powered software program options immediately associated to the digicam. The Pixel 9 launched improved Evening Sight Video, Evening Sight Panoramas, enhanced Video Enhance for higher video high quality, and new AI tips like Add Me, Reimagine, and others. Little doubt, Google is cooking up loads of new methods to include AI into its cameras to ship the wow issue we count on from the corporate.
Google Pixel 10: Software program
The Google Pixel 9 collection surprisingly launched with Android 14, the identical model of Android the Pixel 8 debuted with. That is principally as a result of Google launched the Pixel 9 simply 10 months after the Pixel 9, giving the Android crew lower than a full yr to churn out a brand new model of Android.
A delayed Android model complicates Google’s software program promise, which is meant to ship seven years of Android and safety updates for Pixel telephones. Due to the discharge window, the Pixel 9 will see assist finish with the identical Android model because the Pixel 8 — that is Android 21 — however will see ten extra safety updates over that older telephone.
The Pixel 10 will launch with not less than Android 15 and will even see a launch alongside Android 16 relying on when Google desires to debut its subsequent era of telephones.
Google Pixel 10: Specs and efficiency
This is the place we count on the Pixel 10 to ship the largest enchancment but. Google has lengthy targeted on the AI processing capabilities of its Tensor processors. The Tensor G4 within the Pixel 9 can course of AI 2.25x quicker than the main competitor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. However each day efficiency is a completely completely different story.
In my Pixel 9 Professional overview, I famous that the gaming efficiency for the Pixel 9 Professional collection was worse than the Pixel 8 Professional. The silver lining is that the Pixel 9 would not get as sizzling because the Pixel 8 does. Google prioritized effectivity with the Pixel 9 however the Tensor G4 continues to be primarily based on the extraordinarily inefficient Exynos line, which has bother competing with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in lots of conditions, a 2021 chipset.
Fortunately, every part we all know concerning the Tensor G5 to this point tells us that it needs to be a monumentally higher chipset in each method. Google has allegedly completed its design and despatched it alongside for manufacturing at TSMC, ending the period of Samsung-produced designs.
The Tensor G5 is alleged to be Google’s first absolutely in-house developed chip, manufactured by TSMC as an alternative of Samsung.
TSMC tends to fabricate higher chipsets than Samsung. For reference, Qualcomm used Samsung to supply the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, a processor that was notorious for overheating and heavy throttling. They then switched to TSMC midway via the yr for the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a processor that is largely the identical design however, due to TSMC’s superior tech, was in a position to considerably outpace the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in each benchmark. It additionally stays far cooler and is healthier on battery life.
That is all to say that we count on the same factor to occur with the Tensor G5 in comparison with the Tensor G4. Not solely ought to or not it’s a much more environment friendly and cooler chipset due to TSMC’s manufacturing course of, however a brand-new chipset designed absolutely in-house by Google. It could mark the primary time Google would not use a reference design from Samsung’s Exynos line for the brand new chip, as nicely.
It may lastly flip the narrative that Tensor is a gradual, inefficient processor, serving to Google additional pitch the Pixel as an excellent premium gadget.
Google Pixel 10: Wishlist
Whereas we have already coated quite a few completely different adjustments we count on — and hope — to see, however it’s generally simpler to see them multi functional listing.
Higher processor
We’re already very certain that the Tensor G5 within the Pixel 10 goes to be lots higher than earlier Tensor processors, however there is not any assure till we’ve one in our fingers. Tensor is already the king of AI processing amongst smartphone processors, however we need to see it thrive elsewhere, too.
Google appears to have put a band-aid on the warmth downside with Tensor G4 by throttling the processor rapidly when it is doing lots, however we might prefer to see the Tensor G5 push heavy workloads with out getting steamy within the first place. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 can be prone to heavy throttling when operating heavy workloads however as a result of it is so a lot quicker than the Tensor G4 in regular duties, that throttling is not felt like it’s on Tensor.
For the reason that Tensor G5 is each in-house Google developed and manufactured by TSMC, there’s hope that these points will probably be solved within the Pixel 10.
Extra eye-friendly show
Google has burdened that the Pixel’s shows have industry-leading brightness and coloration accuracy, however the firm is reaching these metrics on the expense of your eye well being. In the meantime, corporations like OnePlus are additionally utilizing ultra-bright shows however managing brightness in a method that is way more pleasant to human eyeballs.
As brightness continues to extend, it is of paramount significance that Google additionally begins growing its PWM price. All Pixels have used 240Hz PWM dimming up to now — the lone exception is 360Hz on the Pixel 7a — whereas different corporations are pushing as much as 4320Hz on telephones just like the Honor 200.
There isn’t any motive Google cannot provide a shiny, color-accurate show and a excessive PWM price. On the very least, Google wants to think about the truth that some of us want a better PWM price with a view to use its telephones, once more, particularly as brightness continues to ramp up at exponential ranges.
Fingerprint sensor adjustments
Google shifted to utilizing in-display fingerprint sensors with the Pixel 6, and the corporate had issues with reliability on each that era and the Pixel 7 after it. However final yr, the Pixel 8 collection optical fingerprint sensor labored extremely nicely. Regardless of that, Google swapped out the optical sensor and changed it with an ultrasonic sensor on the Pixel 9 collection.
Whereas ultrasonic fingerprint scanners work very nicely for some individuals, they’re problematic for others. I occur to be a kind of individuals who discover ultrasonic sensors to be unreliable and commented on it in my Pixel 9 Professional overview. Ultrasonic sensors are additionally very choosy about which display protectors you should use, that means you may unintentionally waste your cash if you do not get the proper one.
As a substitute of all this in-display nonsense, Google ought to swap to a fingerprint sensor within the energy button. They already do it on the Pixel Fold line and it really works completely. The facility button — or “aspect key” as some corporations name it now — is the best place for a fingerprint sensor as it is simple to succeed in and use regardless of the way you’re holding the telephone. It is also extra correct than any in-display possibility.
Design adjustments
The Pixel 9’s design has brought on a good bit of controversy with its iPhone-like aspect rails, buttons, and different related design cues. It additionally does away with the “pleasant” curves Pixel telephones had been transferring towards for a much more sterile, industrial design. Whereas some take pleasure in this new look — as Android Central’s Managing Editor, Derrek Lee, famous in his Pixel 9 overview — I am not a fan.
At the least on the Professional fashions, I discover the Pixel 9 Professional and 9 Professional XL to be harder to carry and not using a case. Google beforehand stated its designs are actually targeted towards of us who use instances, so this is not a piece that everybody will agree with and even care about, however I would prefer to see Google return to utilizing extra rounded aspect rails once more. Extra particularly, I would like to see matte rails like we had on the Pixel 6, which stays one of the snug telephones Google has ever made.
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