Google Pixel 10 series

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Google will add macro functionality to the 5x telephoto sensor on the Pixel 10 series this year. Marking a huge upgrade for macro photography.

Over the last few months, we’ve seen more and more smartphones opt to use Tele-Macro on their smartphones. This is a feature where the phone uses the telephoto sensor for macro photography instead of the ultrawide sensor. This is actually not new; in fact, Samsung did it for a single year on the Galaxy Z Fold – the Galaxy Z Fold 4, to be exact – and then ditched it. But now it seems to be coming back into fashion.

OPPO announced the Find N5 earlier this year with Tele-macro capabilities, the OnePlus 13 technically does tele-macro, even though OnePlus never talked about it, and there are more coming soon that will also offer tele-macro. And that includes the Pixel 10.

Interestingly, Google is not removing the macro functionality from the ultrawide sensor. This is because the telephoto sensor’s minimum focusing distance is further than the ultrawide. So depending on how far away you are from the subject will determine which lens the Pixel 10 will use.

This is actually a really good move by Google. Telephoto sensors are typically better, optics-wise, than the ultrawide sensor. Providing a better quality image on macro. Additionally, using the telephoto sensor means you can be further away from the subject, which is great for capturing insects. But it also means that you and the camera won’t be blocking the light. Keep in mind that macro photography does need a good bit of light to produce a good image.

Google Pixel 10 will be announced on August 20​

As we have already exclusively reported, the Google Pixel 10 release date is August 28, with the Made by Google event and pre-orders opening on August 20. This is a week later than last year, when Google announced the Pixel 9 series on August 13; however, the different Pixel devices did have different launch dates. So hopefully with this later announcement, all four Pixel 10 models will ship on the same date – August 28.

Google is also revamping the colors this time around, and ditching Obsidian and Porcelain. Instead, the Google Pixel 10 colors will include Ultra Blue, Limoncello, Iris, and Midnight as color options. The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL will have Sterling Gray, Light Porcelain, Midnight, and Smoky Green, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will only have Sterling Gray and Smoky Green as color options.

 

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The Google Pixel 10 may look nearly identical to last year’s Pixel 9, but it’s packing meaningful upgrades under the hood. Google is enhancing its ultrasonic fingerprint sensor to be even faster and more reliable, especially with wet fingers.

While the Google Pixel 10 lineup looks to be almost identical to the Pixel 9 lineup from last year, we’re seeing that there are a lot of other upgrades within the hardware that make for a much bigger upgrade this year. Another one of those upgrades is going to be the fingerprint sensor.

Last year, Google finally added an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor (as did OnePlus in the OnePlus 13 this year). This is a pretty big upgrade over the optical sensor found in earlier models, because it’s more secure, faster, and works better when your fingers are wet. Now, we can confirm that Google is indeed upgrading that ultrasonic fingerprint sensor again this year. It’s going to be even faster than before, which is saying quite a bit, to be honest.

Of course, Google will still retain facial recognition, which is actually more secure than other Android phones, but not quite as secure as what Apple has with Face ID. Since the Pixel 8, Google’s facial recognition has supported Class 3 authentication, which is secure enough for banking apps to use. And that will continue through the Pixel 10 series.

Google’s adding Qi2 and new, bright colors​

As we’ve already exclusively reported, Google is also adding Qi2 support to the Pixel 10 this year. However, it’s going to be Qi2-ready, meaning that you’ll need a case to actually take full advantage of the Qi2 wireless charging standard. This is similar to what OnePlus and Samsung have done this year with their flagship phones. And even what Apple has sort of done with the iPhone 16e (though it doesn’t actually do Qi2 as it doesn’t support the faster charging rate).

Additionally, Google is also adding new colors this year, some pretty bright ones too. Unfortunately, the “Pro” models still get the darker, and more boring colors. Google Pixel 10 colors include Ultra Blue, Limoncello, Iris, and Midnight. While Google Pixel 10 Pro colors include Sterling Gray, Light Porcelain, Midnight, and Smoky Green. Finally, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold colors include Sterling Gray and Smoky Green.

The Google Pixel 10 release date is slated for August 28, with the announcement and pre-orders opening on August 20.

 

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TL;DR

• We have obtained a case for the unreleased Google Pixel 10 Pro.
• To test it out, we put a Pixel 9 Pro into the case.
• The Pixel 9 Pro fits, but there are a lot of changes that make it not ideal to swap cases between the two devices.

We expect Google to announce the new Pixel 10 series in the coming weeks. As usual, we’ve already seen plenty of leaks surrounding the phones, including a nearly-retail-ready device and a likely retail-ready version in a behind-the-scenes clip from a commercial shoot. From these, we know that the Google Pixel 10 series will look remarkably similar to the Pixel 9 series.

Just how similar will they be, though? To help answer that question, we got help from a smartphone case company called Thinborne. The owner sent us a case that is designed to fit the Google Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro. Obviously, considering Google hasn’t announced the phones yet, this is a break in standard protocol.

Regardless, the first thing I did when I got the case was put my Pixel 9 Pro into it. Interestingly, the phone fit the case just fine. It was a little tricky to get it all the way on, but it didn’t warp or crack when I did so. In other words, the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro will have roughly the same dimensions as the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.

Pixel 9 case (left) and Pixel 10 case (right)

Pixel 9 case (left) and Pixel 10 case (right)

Pixel 10 Pro case

5G antenna doesn't fit

Bottom ports don't fit

Camera bar gap

Pixel 9 case (top) and Pixel 10 case (bottom)

Pixel 9 case (top) and Pixel 10 case (bottom)

However, there were a lot of things about the case that didn’t fit well. The first and most obvious was the cutout for the camera bar. There’s a sizable gap left behind with this Pixel 10 Pro case on a Pixel 9 Pro, which proves that the camera bar on the Pixel 10 phones will be larger than what we see on the Pixel 9 series. It’s not a lot larger, but it’s large enough that all sorts of dust and debris would get into the gap if you were to use a Pixel 10 case on a Pixel 9 phone. Also, if I had a Pixel 10 Pro, I am certain it would not fit into a Pixel 9 Pro case because of this size discrepancy.

However, there were a lot of things about the case that didn’t fit well. The first and most obvious was the cutout for the camera bar. There’s a sizable gap left behind with this Pixel 10 Pro case on a Pixel 9 Pro, which proves that the camera bar on the Pixel 10 phones will be larger than what we see on the Pixel 9 series. It’s not a lot larger, but it’s large enough that all sorts of dust and debris would get into the gap if you were to use a Pixel 10 case on a Pixel 9 phone. Also, if I had a Pixel 10 Pro, I am certain it would not fit into a Pixel 9 Pro case because of this size discrepancy.

Elsewhere, the Pixel 10 case partially covers up the 5G antenna on the Pixel 9 Pro. This probably wouldn’t be enough to dramatically affect reception, but it certainly wouldn’t help.

Most notably, though, is that the bottom of the case is completely reconfigured when compared to a Thinborne Pixel 9 case. This is because the Pixel 10 is going to have two speaker cutouts at the bottom instead of just one. The SIM tray is also going to be moved to the top of the Pixel 10.
All in all, there are just too many compromises here. If you currently own a Pixel 9 series device and are hoping to keep your current case when you upgrade to the Pixel 10 later this year, that isn’t going to work. Despite the phones being very similar, the cases are different enough that you’ll want to buy one specific to the applicable model.

If you want to buy a Thinborne case for either a Pixel 9 or Pixel 10, you can do so at Thinborne’s site.

 

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The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is getting a brand new hinge that’s much slimmer. This should also help improve the crease on the new foldable that’s set to be released in August.

As revealed in the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold renders that we exclusively revealed in March, the foldable is getting a new hinge this year. The most obvious change here is going to be how big the hinge is, or rather, how small it is. The new hinge on the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is thinner, which will make it feel more comfortable in the hand and make the overall foldable thinner as well.

This is what is going to allow for Google to increase the outer display screen size, in roughly the same physical size as the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Making the hinge smaller and stretching the bezel out will increase the cover display from 6.3 inches to 6.4 inches. Which actually makes it larger than the Google Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro, versus the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold all having the same size display.

Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold could be first with IP68 water and dust resistance​

This is also going to be the first foldable released with an IP68 rating. Samsung’s current foldables are IP48; however, rumors are pointing to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 being IP68 when it debuts next month. Even the OPPO Find N5 is only IPX8 and IPX9, meaning it doesn’t stand a chance against dirt.

Google, being one of the first to bring IP68 ingress protection to their foldable, is actually a fairly big deal. Most foldables are not protected against dust (except for Samsung’s and Motorola’s foldables, which are only IP48). The “6” in IP68 stands for dust protection, and this is the highest level, making the device fully dust-tight. While the “8” stands for water resistance, it means that the device can be immersed in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold release date is set for August 28, with the announcement on August 20 alongside the rest of the Google Pixel 10 series.

 

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The base Google Pixel 10 is once again skipping a vapor chamber, and that’s a real blow for performance enthusiasts. As we saw with the Pixel 9 Pro, the vapor chamber significantly improved sustained performance and heat management, making its absence on the Pixel 10 all the more disappointing.

There’s a bit of bad news for the base Google Pixel 10 model this year. Once again, Google has not included a vapor chamber in the non-Pro Pixel.

As we’ve seen with the Google Pixel 9 series, that vapor chamber actually does make a pretty big difference when it comes to performance, so it’s a shame that it’s not coming to the base Pixel 10. However, it is understandable, especially with the Pixel 10 gaining a telephoto camera this year, that Google still needed a way to differentiate the base model from the Pro models.

Hopefully, the Tensor G5 will be efficient enough that the vapor chamber won’t be make or break for the Google Pixel 10 this year.

No WiFi 7 or Ultra Res Zoom, either​

There’s a handful of other things that the Pixel 10 won’t be getting either, and that includes WiFi 7. This is a bit of a surprising omission, as the Google Pixel 9 specs do list WiFi 7. However, the Google Pixel 9a does not have WiFi 7 support. Given the fact that the entire Pixel 10 series should have the same modem, this is a real head-scratcher.

The Google Pixel 10 also won’t get the new “Ultra Res Zoom” feature and ultra-stable video recording. We’ve already gone over the ultra-stable video recording, which is essentially putting a gimbal into the Pixel 10 Pro. That, as expected, is limited to the Pro models. Ultra Res Zoom is new, and it’s an upgrade over Super Res Zoom. Keep in mind that Super Res Zoom can do up to 8x zoom, and now Ultra Res Zoom will be able to go much further.

Finally, a few design aspects that are only going to be on the Pixel 10. And that’s going to be the matte sides, and a glossy back. Just like the Pixel 9 had last year.

As a reminder, the Google Pixel 10 release date is set for August 28, with the Made by Google event taking place on August 20.

 

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TL;DR

• The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL displays could be better for people who are sensitive to PWM dimming.
• Google is considering an upgrade to 480Hz dimming for the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL. The regular model, as well as the Fold, may stick to 240Hz.
• The displays are also planned to be brighter by about 200 nits across the board.

Since the launch of the Pixel 9 series, Google has been revising its Pixel strategy. Instead of the Pro Pixels being larger, slightly better versions of the base Pixels as they had been in previous years, the Pro tier became a whole different class of phones. This year, that trend continues, with all evidence suggesting the baseline Pixel 10 will be closer to the A series Pixels than the Pro models.

It appears that Google will lean into this growing divide even further with its display tech, as we’ve learned that the Pixel 10 is considering a display with a higher PWM frequency — but only on the Pro models.

DC vs PWM dimming explained​

Before we get to the main part of the article, a bit of background about display dimming, as it’s a complex topic. There are two main ways to do it — DC (voltage) and PWM (pulse width modulation). The two approaches have fundamental differences, which I’ve illustrated in the diagrams below (check here to see the Matlab script that created this illustration).

DC dimming simply lowers the voltage that’s connected to the display to lower its brightness. This has its advantages — it’s a very simple concept, generally provides decent results on LCDs and doesn’t have any “side effects” on the human perception of displays it’s used in. Unfortunately, that’s where the advantages end. The circuitry for DC dimming is more complex and pretty inefficient. Another problem is that it’s hard to create a circuit that will be able to provide a wide range of voltage to enable dimming the display down to very low levels. It also doesn’t work super well with OLEDs; due to the complicated chemistry involved, lowering voltage not only decreases the brightness, but also affects the color response in a fairly unpredictable way.

That’s where PWM steps in. Instead of lowering the voltage, it leaves it at the rated value, but only turns the panel on for a selected percentage of the time. Obviously, this wouldn’t work really well if, say, we turned the display on and off every half second, so it needs to happen really fast. At just a few hundred hertz (or times per second), this switching becomes nearly invisible to the human eye. Unfortunately, this comes with a caveat — some people are sensitive to this, and will get headaches from using displays that are dimmed like this, unless they are run at a very high frequency. Other than this, however, PWM dimming only has advantages — the color reproduction is impacted to a way smaller degree, it’s very easy to get really dim, and it’s a more efficient technology.

What is changing with the Pixel 10 series?​

Google Pixels have utilized PWM dimming for a while, but unfortunately, Google left the PWM frequency fairly low. The Pixel 9 Pro only refreshed at around 240Hz. Following the launch of the Pixel 9a, Google was asked about the lack of updates to help fix the flicker concerns, and it hinted to Android Central that it would provide some progress with the Pixel 10. Thankfully, that appears to be coming true — but only if you’re planning to shell out for the Pro or Pro XL.

The new phones are expected to run at 480Hz PWM refresh rate — at least in some conditions, as they may also support 240Hz. This isn’t great, but it’s still an improvement, which would track with Google’s recent stance on the matter. As a comparison, some phones support a whopping 4320Hz PWM, a nine-fold advantage over Google’s phones. I’ve compiled a table comparing the Pixel 10 Pro range’s potential upgrade to some of its competitors below:

Pixel 9 series	240 Hz
Pixel 10/10 Pro Fold	240 Hz
Pixel 10 Pro/10 Pro XL	480 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 series	480 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S25 series	480 Hz
Xiaomi 15 Ultra	1920 Hz
Honor Magic 6 Pro	4320 Hz

Other than that, the Pixel 10 series is only expected to enjoy minor display upgrades. The sizes and resolutions appear to be staying the same, while the declared (HDR) peak brightness should be getting bumped up around 200 nits across the board. This, however, isn’t really an issue as the displays are already excellent after the Pixel 9 series massively upgraded them across the board.

Pixel 9	1800 nits
Pixel 10	2000 nits
Pixel 9 Pro | Pro XL	2050 nits
Pixel 10 Pro | Pro XL	2250 nits
Pixel 9 Pro Fold	1600 nits (internal) | 1800 nits (external)
Pixel 10 Pro Fold	1850 nits (internal) | 2050 nits (external)

Android Headlines/OnLeaks
While it’s good to see Google finally taking steps to address such a critical issue, it’s disappointing that it could lock that solution to its most expensive phones. Hopefully, this will be amended for future generations. Whatever the case, we’ll know for sure when the Google Pixel 10 series finally arrives, with an official launch expected sometime in August.

 

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The Google Pixel 10 is set to launch on August 28 with a brighter 6.3-inch display, Tensor G5 chip built on TSMC’s 3nm process, and a larger 4,970mAh battery with 29W wired and 15W Qi2 wireless charging.

Over the last few weeks, we have seen some different tidbits of the Google Pixel 10 specs, but now we’re able to share with you all of the specs that actually matter.

First off, the display. This will continue to sport a 6.3-inch FHD+ display, with a 120Hz refresh rate. Google is also sticking with Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 here; however, brightness is getting a pretty big boost this time around. As Android Authority reported this morning, its HBM or high brightness mode is jumping from 1800nits to 2,000nits. However, the peak brightness is going from 2,700nits to 3,000nits. Which is going to make this a very bright display.

Internally, these specs won’t surprise you, but we’re looking at the Tensor G5, which will be manufactured on TSMC’s 3nm process. It will also be paired with 12GB of RAM – the same amount of RAM as the $1,299 Galaxy S25 Ultra – and either 128GB or 256GB of storage. Unfortunately, Google is not upping the storage on the base model this year, nor offering a higher storage tier.

The battery is also getting a nice upgrade, gaining about 5% capacity to 4,970mAh. With charging speeds increasing to 29W, and wireless speeds of 15W over Qi2. This means that Qi2 wireless charging will charge at 15W max, but older chargers will likely cap out at 7.5W.

Google Pixel 10’s entire camera setup is getting downgraded​

Some of the leaked camera specs that we have seen over the past few months have actually been wrong. And unfortunately, it’s worse than we expected. For some reason, to add the 5x telephoto to the base model, Google felt the need to also reduce the size of the other two cameras.

The primary camera will be a 48-megapixel sensor, very likely the same sensor that the Pixel 9a has, which is a 1/2.0-inch sensor. Additionally, the ultrawide is also being downgraded, pretty significantly, to a 12-megapixel sensor. Last year, Google debuted its 48MP Ultrawide sensor on the Pixel 9, so this is a very puzzling choice.

Finally, that new telephoto. This is going to be a 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto sensor. Which might sound familiar, as it is the same sensor from the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold (and, spoiler alert: It’s also on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold).

The bright side here is that Google’s computational photography does perform better on smaller sensors, as we’ve seen with the Pixel a-series over the years. It typically wins the blind smartphone camera contests. So we’re hoping that will continue to be the case for the Pixel 10 this year.

As we reported on yesterday, the Google Pixel 10 will not have a vapor chamber and will also miss out on WiFi 7, despite the Pixel 9 having WiFi 7 support.

The Google Pixel 10 release date is slated for August 28, with Google officially announcing the lineup on August 20.

 

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After releasing the Google Pixel 10 specs last week, we’re now able to share with you the specs of the Google Pixel 10 Pro and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. For the most part, there are very few changes here with both of the Pro models, compared to the Google Pixel 9 Pro lineup from last year.

On the displays, we’re still looking at a 6.3-inch and 6.8-inch display, respectively. These will continue to be LTPO with 1-120Hz refresh rates, along with 3,000nits of peak brightness. They will also use Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back.

Internally, both the Pro models will sport the Tensor G5 processor with 16GB of RAM. However, storage is where things differ just a little bit. The Pixel 10 Pro will sport 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. it’s likely that not every color will be available in the 1TB option, as is the case with the Pixel 9 Pro. While the Pixel 10 Pro XL will skip the 128GB model, and offer 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.

This is likely how Google is going to justify raising the price on the Pro XL model once again. This is similar to what Apple did a couple of years ago with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, where it got rid of the lower storage variant, making the entry price for the iPhone 15 Pro Max higher.

Cameras, surprisingly, remain unchanged​

Surprisingly, Google is keeping the cameras mostly the same this year on the “Pro” models. That includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 48-megapixel ultrawide, and a 48-megapixel 5x telephoto lens. The front-facing camera will still be a 42-megapixel shooter.

Keep in mind that both the ultrawide and the telephoto will be capable of macro this year. The reason for this is, the telephoto is going to offer better quality for the macro because it can let in more light, but it can’t focus at as short of a distance as the ultrawide can. It should be about 10cm for the telemacro, and 2cm for the ultrawide macro.

Finally, let’s talk about the battery. The Pixel 10 Pro will sport a 4,870mAh capacity battery, which is about 100mAh smaller than the Pixel 10, surprisingly. We believe that the reasoning for this is the vapor chamber, the Pixel 10 is not getting the vapor chamber once again this year, while the Pixel 10 Pro will get a larger vapor chamber than the Pixel 9 Pro had.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL will have the largest battery ever in a Pixel at 5,200mAh. Charging speeds are also getting an improvement on both models to 29W and 39W, respectively, with 15W wireless charging speeds thanks to Qi2.

The Google Pixel 10 release date is still slated for August 28, with an announcement on August 20.

 

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Based on the leaks we've seen so far, Google's upcoming Pixel 10 phones represent an unusually restrained upgrade from Google. On the back of nine consecutive generations of Pixel phones that each looked and felt notably different from the last, it seems like Google's breaking its own precedent with a set of iterative updates that would make Samsung blush.

Two or three years ago, Google doubling down and releasing a new phone that's a spec-sheet refresh of the version it launched the year before would've been a problem. But the Pixel 9 represented a new high water mark for Google's premium smartphones — they're running out of major improvements to make. I don't think a direct sequel is such a bad thing for the Pixel 10 to be.

Pixel 10? More like Pixel 9.5​

The past few months have been a treasure trove of Pixel 10 leaks. The first renders of the Pixel 10 series surfaced in March, showing a Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL that are all nearly identical to Google's 2024 Pixel 9 lineup. Subsequent leaks have also failed to surface any must-have year-over-year improvements.

We know the Pixel 10 series will ship with Google's new Tensor G5, reportedly the first chipset in a Pixel phone to be manufactured on a 3nm process, a technical leap over the 5nm-process Tensor G4. In theory, that'll allow for better power efficiency — definitely a positive. But I'm not expecting a dramatic difference in battery life.

Samsung and Apple are already using 3nm chips. Apple's first was the A17 Pro that powered 2023's iPhone 15 Pro. That phone offered similar battery life to the previous year's iPhone 14 Pro, which ran on the 5nm A16 Bionic chipset. Some tests even found the 15 Pro's battery life was marginally shorter than what the 14 Pro offered. The transition could be more meaningful for Google, sure, but Apple's showing is plenty to temper my expectations.

We're expecting the base-model Pixel 10 to ship with a dedicated telephoto camera, a luxury that's been reserved for Google's Pro phones for years. But according to an April report, the sensor in that telephoto camera will be the same one the Pixel 10 uses for its selfie camera, and to accommodate the change, the phone's standard and ultrawide cameras are getting a downgrade. They'll reportedly use the same sensors as the midrange Pixel 9a.

To me, the most exciting rumor about the upcoming Pixel 10 phones is that Google is working on a range of Qi 2.2 magnetic charging accessories to go along with them. But it's also been reported that these accessories will require a Qi 2.2-compatible case — and that Google's first-party cases will include magnets this year. That's a lot less exciting a prospect than the Pixel 10 series having magnetic charging built in.

Unless there's something major early that leaks and rumors have missed, the Pixel 10 series is shaping up to be a very low-key upgrade over the Pixel 9 — more so than Google's previous generational smartphone updates. That's not terribly exciting from the perspective of an industry observer, but it feels like a sort of milestone for the Pixel series.

Catching up to consumer habits​

Consumer Affairs' cell phone statistics report for 2025 says that while nearly 12 percent of Americans do upgrade their phones each year, the majority buy a new phone every two to three years. That checks out: carrier financing for phones is often on 24- or 36-month terms.

Google competitors Apple and Samsung have settled into a pattern of minor updates that, over the course of two or three successive generations, add up to a phone that'll be appealing to someone who last bought a phone two or three years ago. The Galaxy S25 is barely an upgrade at all coming from the S24, but if you're on an S22, Samsung's latest will feel like a real step up in a few ways.

Comparatively speaking, Google's reinvented the wheel each year as it's tried to get a real foothold in the smartphone space. Particularly when it comes to hardware design: there's been more consistency since the Pixel 6, but no other smartphone manufacturers' products have gone through as many distinct design sensibilities as the Pixel series has over the past decade.

But the Pixel 10 series looking like an unabashed rerun of the Pixel 9 playbook signals to me that Google's landed on an aesthetic and a portfolio it's confident in. We at AP liked the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro quite a bit — and given the Pixel 9 apparently sold quite well, with Google shipping its most phones ever in a single quarter last year, it may be right to double down this year.

 

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There’s a Pixel 10 camera rumor that has me really keen to try the new phone out when it’s released. It will apparently feature a dual-stage macro system, using both the wide-angle and telephoto cameras to get up close to your subject.

If, like me, you’ve often struggled to get the best macro shots with a smartphone, this may be the feature that could cure our woes.

Macro on the Pixel 9 Pro​

You can take macro shots already, but they need patience​

If you own the Pixel 9 Pro, you’ll be familiar with the camera’s macro mode. It engages as soon as you get about three or four centimeters away from your subject, and there’s a visible and obvious switch between lenses when it happens. This is because the Pixel 9 Pro uses its wide-angle camera for macro shots.

Google shows some stunning examples of what the macro camera is capable of on its promotional website, but these are the work of professionals, and getting even close to similar results personally is extremely hard.

There are big challenges around light and reflection. Light causes problems as the wide-angle struggles to pull much in when it’s so near, and the closer you get, the more light becomes crucial to snapping a great macro shot.

The closer you get, the more shadows play a part in your photography, too, and they can be tricky to avoid if conditions aren’t exactly right. If you’re shooting anything with a reflective surface, the camera will be right there in the image, staring back at you.

If you’re taking photos of living things, they tend to move around a lot, especially when there’s a phone a few centimeters away from their faces. But to activate macro mode and get those cool shots of insects, you’ve got to be that close.

It’s a Catch-22 situation, and all these challenges make macro photography with a phone difficult to get right. The more you practice, the better, but when it’s frustratingly hard to get a single good photo, the motivation to keep going is quickly diminished.

How the Pixel 10 may improve macro photography​

Two macros are better than one​

A photo taken with the Google Pixel 9 Pro's macro mode

How is the Pixel 10 series going to differ? It may use both the wide-angle and the telephoto cameras for macro photography. Instead of only focusing at around three or four centimeters distance, the telephoto camera could capture macro images from 10 centimeters, while the wide-angle will take over at about two centimeters. Using two lenses should help gather more light, too.

A photo taken with the Google Pixel 9 Pro's macro mode

A greater possible focal distance and more light intake should increase the versatility of the Pixel 10’s macro mode a great deal, and in turn make it easier to get good shots regardless of your subject.

I also hope the use of two lenses will avoid the awkward, sudden switch between lenses when you’re trying to take a photo of a small object, such as a bee on a flower, against a busy background.

The Pixel 9 Pro often gets confused and rapidly auto-switches back and forth between the main and macro cameras, just as you’re about to capture the ideal shot. By the time the camera has sorted itself out, the bee has usually moved on.

A photo taken with the Google Pixel 9 Pro's macro mode

By helping you actually get the macro shot you want, you’ll then be able to make better use of Google’s clever Zoom Enhance AI feature to polish it further.

By using AI to fill in gaps, sharpen the image, and pinpoint detail, Zoom Enhance is already a fun Google Photos feature, but it really shines in macro photography.

The photo of the watch movement here has been cropped from the original, and Zoom Enhance has been used to sharpen the end result. It keeps most of the detail in the machining and gears intact, and minimizes the reflection from the glass, too.

Macro could be the next big phone camera trend​

Move over telephoto cameras, there’s a new mode in town​

Source: Mystic Leaks on Telegram (right)

Telephoto cameras have had a lot of attention from mobile photographers and phone makers over the past few years, and it’s now common to see a decent telephoto on phones at all prices.

Macro may be the next frontier, as companies work on new ways to make the camera stand out again. For example, Samsung recently made sure everyone knew the new 50-megapixel wide-angle camera on the Galaxy S25 Ultra could also shoot improved macro photos. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max also have accomplished macro modes using the wide-angle camera.

Macro photography also benefits from AI enhancement, which will make it attractive to brands wanting to advertise their AI expertise. We’ve already seen how Samsung and Google have utilized AI to improve digital and hybrid zoom photos, so doing the same for macro shots makes sense.

There’s definite room for improvement in macro photography using a smartphone, and by using two lenses instead of one, Google may find itself one step ahead of the competition with the Pixel 10 series.

However, keen though I am for improved macro on the next Pixel, it’s not certain to happen. The dual-camera system is still only a rumor at the moment, much like the rest of the Pixel 10’s specifications.

There’s also a question mark over which Pixel 10 series phones will get a special macro mode, should the rumors of its arrival be accurate. If Google does add a telephoto camera to the standard Pixel 10, it may use the dual-camera macro mode to make the Pixel 10 Pro’s camera a more tempting upgrade.

Google is expected to announce the Pixel 10 series in the coming months, and while the rest of the phone’s spec sheet doesn’t seem to hold many surprises, the prospect of an improved macro mode will keep me excited about the camera.

 

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A leak today provides a better idea of what first-party accessories, like Pixel Buds 2a, Google could announce alongside the Pixel 10 series in a few weeks.

According to @MysteryLupin, “Google Pixel Buds 2a” are coming in Hazel, Strawberry, Iris, and Fog Light. That presumably translates to green, red, purple, and a light blue. Today’s A-Series dates back to 2021, with Google seeing the need to offer an affordable pair of headphones.

Meanwhile, today’s leak — which is presumably based on retail listings — says Google will release a new Pixel Buds Pro 2 color: “Sterling.” That should be gray and would match the Pixel 10 Pro/XL. Hopefully, we get a Feature Drop-level update that makes Gemini on headphones more capable. This matches how Made by Google 2023 saw two new colors for the original Pixel Buds Pro and a sizable software update.

We get additional storage and color confirmation today for the phones. Of note is how the Pixel 10 Pro Fold might be available in a 1 TB model. The foldable will be offerred in Moonstone (gray) and Jade (dark green).

Pixel 10: 128, 256 GB
Black	Obsidian
Blue	Frost
Purple	Indigo
Yellow	Lemongrass

Pixel 10 Pro: 128, 256, 512 GB, 1TB Pixel 10 Pro XL: 256, 512 GB, 1TB
Black	Obsidian
Green	Jade
Grey	Moonstone
White	Porcelain

Pixel 10 Pro Fold: 256, 512 GB, 1TB
Grey	Moonstone
Green	Jade

Finally, there’s the “Google Pixel Charger” in “Rock Candy” (white) and the “Google Pixel Wireless Charger.” The former is presumably a charging puck, like Apple’s MagSafe Charger. The latter sounds more like a Pixel Stand (3) successor than the previous “Pixelsnap Charger with Stand” leak.

 

[limmk]

Here’s the Pixel 10 Series Storage Breakdown by Color​

We disappeared from the internet over the holiday weekend, but I see that distributors have posted the entire Google product line-up for the rumored upcoming August launch of the Pixel 10, Pixel Watch 4, and (surprise) Pixel Buds 2a. A couple of quick searches this morning have helped us confirm that this data is indeed out there, so let’s run through.

Pixel 10 Pro colors and storage: According to distributor data we viewed moments ago, we believe we know the breakdown of the Pixel 10 series by device, color, and storage. It’s not surprising info, unless you consider the Pixel 10 Pro XL starting at 256GB a big deal. The Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro both will apparently start at 128GB still, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will start at 256GB and go up to 1TB.

For colors, distributors often list codenames from Google, but these actually look pretty normal. We’re seeing them use “Obsidian” and “Porcelain” just as Google would, so there’s a chance that the colors you are seeing below end up at retail.

Pixel 10

• Obsidian: 128G / 256GB
• Frost: 128G / 256GB
• Indigo: 128G / 256GB
• Lemongrass: 128G / 256GB

Pixel 10 Pro

• Obsidian: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
• Porcelain: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
• Moonstone: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
• Jade: 256GB

Pixel 10 Pro XL

• Obsidian: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
• Porcelain: 256GB / 512GB
• Moonstone: 256GB / 512GB
• Jade: 256GB

Pixel 10 Pro Fold

• Moonstone: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
• Jade: 256GB / 512GB

Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a: The bigger story from the weekend is the first we’ve heard of Google’s Pixel Watch 4 and new Pixel Buds 2a. If you can believe it, Google has continued selling the Pixel Buds A-Series all this time, which would make them 4 years old.

Data we’ve viewed says the Pixel Buds 2a will come in three colors of Hazel, Iris, and Fog Light.

While we have not yet seen evidence of the Pixel Watch 4 line-up (outside of a new charger), WinFuture is reporting both 41mm and 45mm options, WiFi and LTE models, and colors of Silver, Moonstone, Black, and Gold.

Not a bad line-up.

// droid-life

 

[limmk]

Google pixel10
Prototype motherboard, EVT1.0, engineering system, guaranteed to boot
If you want a board or have a screen to sell, please contact me.
Don't trust anyone who says pixel10, they are all scammers, unless you take a video on the spot
The person with the watermark in the second and third pictures is a scammer. Pay attention, the machine is not his, the machine has been submitted for remote formatting and scrapped, and I will not sell the motherboard to anyone who has done business with him

谷歌pixel10
原型机主板，EVT1.0,工程系统，保真保开机
想要板的或者是有屏幕卖的都可以联系我，
不要相信任何的人pixel10,都是骗人的，除非当场拍视频
图二图三水印的那个人是个骗子，注意了，那个机器不是他的，机器已经提交远程格式化报废了，和他有过交易的人我也不会卖主板给他

// goofish

 

[limmk]

Tensor G5 exhibits middling performance alongside Pixel 10 Pro Fold on Geekbench​

The Google Tensor G5 has shown up on Geekbench again. Artistic render of the chip pictured (image source: Google)

The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold has made its Geekbench debut with a shiny new Tensor G5 SoC. It features last-gen Arm Cortex CPU cores and a new PowerVR GPU from Imagination Technologies.
Anil Ganti, Published 07/10/2025
5G ARM Android Google Pixel Leaks / Rumors Smartphone Benchmark

The Google Tensor G5's maiden Geekbench showing was somewhat lacklustre, understandable, given that it was probably an engineering sample. Now, we get to see it in action once again, this time, alongside Google's next-gen foldable, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

It scores 2,276 and 6,173 in Geekbench's single and multi-core tests, respectively. Geekbench's back-end reveals the chip is not throttling and can maintain a steady boost clock. While that is measurably better than its first set of scores (1,323/4,004), it is remarkably behind the current-gen market leaders, such as the Snapdragon 8 Elite (3,070/9,251) and Dimensity 9400 (2,597/8,109). It is closer to the last-gen Dimensity 9300 (2,207/7,408).

We also get a glimpse at the Tensor G5's CPU layout, consisting of one Cortex-X4 prime core (3.78 GHz), five Cortex-A725 (3.05 GHz) performance cores and two Cortex-A520 efficiency cores (2.25 GHz). And we get a glimpse at its shiny new Imagination Technologies' PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold in question has 16 GB of RAM and runs Android 16.

Realistically speaking, the Tensor G5 could never compete with current-gen behemoths, especially with older Arm cores. Nevertheless, the transition to TSMC's 3 nm (or 5 nm, depending on who you ask) node might help with power efficiency. On the other hand, its Exynos modem might have a detrimental effect.

Tensor G5 Geekbench score (image source: Geekbench)

​

// Geekbench

 

[limmk]

TL;DR

• The entire Google Pixel 10 lineup’s European prices have leaked, showing no price hikes vs last year.
• Despite leaks, US pricing remains uncertain due to fluctuating tariffs, as production is based outside the country, and Google needs to import the phone.
• A notable change may come to the flagship foldable model, which is rumored to launch at a lower price, whereas the Pixel Buds 2a could see a price increase.

Google is expected to launch the Pixel 10 series in the coming weeks, and we already know a lot about the device. We’ve seen leaked renders of the three devices and even a live image of the Pixel 10 Pro. Now, prices for the Pixel 10 series have leaked, and it’s good news for some regions at least.

According to reputed leaker Roland Quandt on Bluesky, the Pixel 10 series will cost the following in the EU:

• Pixel 10:
  • 128GB: €899 (~$1,050)
  • 256GB: €999 (~$1,167)
• Pixel 10 Pro:
  • 128GB: €1,099 (~$1,285)
  • 256GB: €1,199 (~$1,400)
  • 512GB: €1,329 (~$1,553)
  • 1TB: €1,589 (~$1,857)
• Pixel 10 Pro XL:
  • 256GB: €1,299 (~$1,518)
  • 512GB: €1,429 (~$1,670)
  • 1TB: €1,689 (~$1,974)

• Pixel 10 Pro Fold:
  • 256GB: €1,899 (~$2,208)
  • 512GB: €2,029 (~$2,372)
  • 1TB: €2,289 (~$2,676)
• Pixel Buds 2a: €149 (~$175)

The leaker notes that the EU pricing for the upcoming Pixel phones is the same as last year. However, given the wildly fluctuating tariff situation, it’s unclear what the pricing will be in the US. Google does not produce Pixel smartphones in the US, and it will most likely import units from either Vietnam, India, or China. As per this leak, the Pixel Buds 2a may increase in price, as the previous generation Pixel Buds A came in at €99.

A previous Pixel 10 series’ US pricing leak from April 2025 suggested that the Pixel 10 series could start at $499, but for the Pixel 10a. The base Pixel 10 could also stick with its $799 pricing, and so could the Pixel 10 Pro at $999. However, if you prefer the larger Pixel, be prepared to shell out more, as the Pixel 10 Pro XL is expected to get a price bump, with an expected starting price of $1,199, though this price is likely for the 256GB variant, essentially maintaining last year’s pricing level. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold could hold a surprise, as Google is said to be dropping its price to around $1,600.

• Pixel 10a: Could start at $499
• Pixel 10: Could start at $799
• Pixel 10 Pro: Could start at $999
• Pixel 10 Pro XL: Could start at $1,199 for 256GB
• Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Could start at $1,600

These are leaked pricing plans, and only Google can reveal what it actually plans to sell the devices at. We need to wait for the official launch event, which is hopefully right around the corner.