Powered by the Tensor G5, the Pixel 10 may be the only camera you ever need

The Pixel 10 series is still a while away, but there’s already a lot of buzz surrounding what will make this next-gen device stand out from its predecessors.

With rumours of a brand-new Tensor G5 chip and improved biometric features, anticipation is building for what could be Google’s most advanced Pixel yet. Especially as the Pixel 9 series has not quite lived up to users’ expectations and our thoughts on the Pixel 9 are rather mixed.

Here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming Pixel 10 series.

When will the Google Pixel 10 be released?

At this early stage, there’s no official release date for the Pixel 10 phones, of course. 

However, codenames of the series have been leaked (via Android Headlines), revealing four models: Pixel 10 (‘Frankel’), Pixel 10 Pro (‘Blazer’), Pixel 10 Pro XL (‘Mustang’), and Pixel 10 Pro Fold (‘Rango’). These names seem to reference different horse breeds.

The leak suggests that the Pixel 10 lineup will maintain the variety of models seen in the Pixel 9 series, including a continuation of the Pixel 10 Pro model as a compact premium option.

Additionally, the Google Pixel 9a, codenamed ‘Tegu’, has also been mentioned, although this information isn’t new.

Over the years, Google had a pretty regular routine when it comes to its hardware launches. Recently, however, practices changed with the release of the Pixel 9 series.

Here’s when the previous core (non ‘a’) models were launched: 

• Google Pixel 9 series: August 2024 
• Google Pixel 8 series: October 2023 
• Google Pixel 7 series: October 2022 
• Google Pixel 6 series: October 2021

There’s a chance that the Pixel 10 series will follow this year’s models and make its debut in August 2025. However, Google might fall back to its regular schedule and debut the Pixel 10 series in October 2025, instead.

Learn more about the history of Google Pixel phones

How much will the Google Pixel 10 cost?

As a reminder, here are the launch prices of the Pixel 9 series: 

• Google Pixel 9: £799/$799 
• Google Pixel 9 Pro: £999/$999 
• Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: £1,099/$1,099 
• Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: £1,749/$1,799 

The regular Pixel 9 is £100/$100 more expensive over the Pixel 8. The Pixel 9 Pro, on the other hand, has been priced the same as the Pixel 8 Pro, likely so that the Pixel 9 Pro XL can be introduced at £100/$100 more. 

Lastly, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is priced at £1,749/$1,799, the same as the original Pixel Fold.

After a couple of price rises, we hope the Pixel 10 series to be priced the same as the previous series.

What specs and features will the Google Pixel 10 have?

Design

The design of the Pixel 10 series is still a topic of speculation, but it’s expected that Google may continue to use the new flatter, more industrial look introduced with the Pixel 9 series.

While the flatter edges may be less ergonomic than previous models, it’s possible Google could opt for a more balanced approach in the Pixel 10 series; merging the sleek flat sides with more comfortable curves.

And of course, the new camera ‘pill’ is very likely to stay with us for a while.

Display

Google is likely to push the limits of display technology with the Pixel 10 series.

While the 3000 nits brightness of the Pixel 9 is already impressive, the Pixel 10 might go even further; enhancing outdoor visibility and performance under direct sunlight. Also expect adaptive refresh rates from 60- to 120Hz to continue, ensuring smooth scrolling while conserving battery life when full performance isn’t needed.

One area where improvement is highly anticipated is PWM dimming (Pulse Width Modulation), which affects display flicker and can lead to eye strain for some users.

Currently, Google’s display technology flickers at a low 240Hz, which is at half the rate of the Galaxy S24 series and the iPhone 15 series. With competitors like the OnePlus 12’s 2160Hz PWM rate, it’s expected that the Pixel 10 series will adopt a more eye-friendly approach. This would make it more comfortable for long-term use, especially in low-light settings.

Additionally, wet touch functionality – first introduced with the Pixel 9 series – should continue to improve, allowing users to interact with their phones, even when the display is wet; enhancing the overall user experience.

Performance & Software

The most significant performance leap for the Pixel 10 series will come from the introduction of the company’s own Tensor G5 chip.

According to a report from Business Korea, Google may be ditching Samsung and heading to TSMC to manufacture its own chipsets. This means that the Tensor G5 might be Google’s first fully in-house design built on TSMC’s 3nm process.

What’s more, a report from China Times claims that the Tensor G5 chipset has entered the “taped-out” stage, which means the final version of the chip has been completed, and that it’s ready to enter the manufacturing stage.

This chip is expected to address the performance and heat management issues that plagued earlier Tensor chips, thanks to TSMC’s superior manufacturing process. The G5 is also expected to be significantly more efficient, enabling faster processing without overheating during tasks like gaming, video recording, or multitasking.

It’s likely to be paired with 12GB of RAM and 128- or 256GB of storage on the regular Pixel 9. On the other hand, the Pixel 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL and 9 Pro Fold might be paired with 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage.

Softare & AI

In terms of AI and machine learning, Google’s Tensor processors have already set themselves apart by excelling in these areas, and the Tensor G5 will likely push those capabilities even further.

Expect on-device Gemini AI tasks such as voice recognition, image processing, and real-time language translation to become faster and more accurate.

For gaming, the Tensor G5 might finally catch up to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, which have outperformed Tensor chips in graphics-heavy scenarios since Tensor’s debut. Paired with Google’s optimisations for Android 16, the Pixel 10 could become a more viable option for mobile gamers looking for smooth, high-performance experiences.

The Google Pixel 10 series is very likely to launch with Android 16, depending on whether Google introduces the phones in August or October.

Cameras

Google’s Pixel phones have always been known for their stellar camera performance, especially in terms of computational photography.

The Pixel 10 series will likely continue to focus on AI-driven improvements rather than hardware upgrades alone. That said, a larger sensor or new lens configurations could still be on the cards, that said, the real magic will come from software advancements.

New features could include improvements to Night Sight, Astrophotography, and Portrait Mode; using AI to further enhance image quality, even in challenging lighting conditions.

Additionally, Google could enhance Video Boost, which debuted in the Pixel 8 series, to provide even better video stabilisation and clarity, making the Pixel 10 a go-to device for mobile videographers.

Another area of improvement might be in Zoom Enhance, which uses AI to maintain image clarity at higher zoom levels without needing massive physical camera sensors.

With Google’s increasing emphasis on AI image processing, it’s likely that the Pixel 10 will take this even further, allowing for higher-quality zoomed-in shots without adding bulk to the camera system.

Lastly, we can expect AI-driven features like ‘Add Me’ and ‘Reimagine’ – which debuted on the Pixel 9 series – to evolve, giving users more creative tools to edit and perfect their photos.

The recent leak from Google’s gChips division (via Android Authority) has shed more light on advanced AI and camera features.

For the Pixel 10, powered by the Tensor G5, users can expect 4K HDR video recording at 60fps, a substantial upgrade from the 30fps limit on the Pixel 9, bringing Google’s devices closer to the capabilities of its competitors.

The G5 might also introduce AI-powered video editing features, including ‘Generative AI-based Intuitive Video Editing’ in Google Photos, which could function as a ‘Magic Editor’ for videos.

Additional editing tools, such as ‘Speak-to-Tweak’ for voice-controlled adjustments and ‘Sketch-to-Image’ for turning sketches into photos, aim to simplify and enhance the editing experience.

Moreover, the Tensor G5 might allow on-device processing for Stable Diffusion models, which should boost generative editing capabilities without needing cloud support.

Battery & Charging

Battery longevity is always a concern with high-performance smartphones, and the Pixel line has seen mixed results in this area. With the new Tensor G5 chip, we expect better battery efficiency, which could translate to longer-lasting usage, even under heavy loads.

In terms of charging, while fast wired charging is likely to remain in the 30W to 35W range, Google may improve the phone’s wireless charging abilities. The inclusion of reverse wireless charging could also be more efficient, allowing the Pixel 10 series to charge other devices such as earbuds or smartwatches quickly.

This is all we currently know about the Pixel 10 series. In the meantime, check out our lists of the best Android phones and the best upcoming phones in 2024.