As Google prepares to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Pixel lineup, the Google Pixel 10 is shaping up to be a significant milestone in the company’s smartphone journey. Expected to launch in August 2025, the Google Pixel 10 series promises cutting-edge technology, refined design, and a suite of AI-driven features that aim to set a new standard for Android devices. Drawing from the latest leaks and rumors, here’s an in-depth look at what the Google Pixel 10 has in store.
Design: Familiar Yet Refined
The Pixel 10 retains the iconic design language of its predecessors, featuring flat edges, a punch-hole front camera, and the signature pill-shaped camera bar on the back. Leaked renders suggest a sleek aluminum and glass design, with the standard Pixel 10 featuring a matte frame, while the Pro models may have glossy sides for a premium touch. The phone’s dimensions are expected to be similar to those of the Pixel 9, measuring approximately 152.8 x 72 x 8.6mm, with a camera bar thickness of around 12mm.
The Pixel 10 series is rumored to come in four models: Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Color options for the standard Pixel 10 include Obsidian (Black), Iris (Purple), Limoncello (Yellow), and Blue, while the Pro models may offer Obsidian, Green, Sterling (Grey), and Porcelain (White). The design continuity ensures familiarity, but subtle refinements, like a sleeker camera bar and improved ergonomics, aim to enhance the user experience.
Display: Vibrant and Smooth
The Pixel 10 is expected to feature a 6.3-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals. The Pro models are likely to feature a 6.3-inch QHD+ LTPO OLED display for the Pixel 10 Pro and a 6.8-inch OLED display for the Pixel 10 Pro XL, both boasting peak brightness levels potentially exceeding the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s impressive 2,469 nits. With Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for protection and HDR10+ support, the displays promise durability and stunning media playback. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is expected to feature an 8-inch main display when unfolded, continuing Google’s push into the foldable market.
Performance: Tensor G5 Powerhouse
At the heart of the Pixel 10 series is the Google Tensor G5 chip, a significant leap forward as it’s the first entirely in-house designed processor fabricated by TSMC on a 3nm process. This shift from Samsung’s manufacturing promises improved performance and power efficiency compared to the 4nm Tensor G4. The Tensor G5 is rumored to feature an 8-core architecture, including one ARM Cortex-X4 core at 3.9GHz, five Cortex-A725 cores at 3.0GHz, and two Cortex-A520 cores at 2.2GHz, paired with a PowerVR two-core IMG DXT-48-1536 GPU.
While some leaks suggest the Tensor G5 may not match the raw power of competitors like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, its focus on AI processing is expected to shine. The chip is likely to be paired with 12GB of RAM for the base Pixel 10 and up to 16GB for the Pro models, with storage options ranging from 128GB to 256 GB. Notably, there is conflicting information about the modem, with recent leaks indicating that Google may stick with the Samsung Exynos 5400 modem used in the Pixel 9 series rather than adopting a MediaTek T900 modem.
Camera: A Mixed Bag with AI Magic
The Pixel 10’s camera system is one of the most talked-about aspects, with both exciting upgrades and surprising trade-offs. For the first time, the base Pixel 10 is expected to include a triple-lens setup, adding an 11MP Samsung 3J1 telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom to its arsenal. However, this comes at the cost of downgraded main and ultrawide sensors. The primary camera is rumored to use a 50MP Samsung GN8 (1/1.95″), smaller than the Pixel 9’s 50MP Samsung GNV (1/1.31″). The ultrawide lens is expected to switch to a 13MP Sony IMX712 (1/3.1″) from the Pixel 9’s 50MP Sony IMX858. The front-facing camera is likely to remain an 11MP Samsung 3J1 sensor.
The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL, on the other hand, are expected to retain the robust camera setup of their predecessors, featuring a 50MP Samsung GNV primary sensor, a 48MP periscope telephoto lens, and a 48MP ultrawide lens, with a 42MP front camera. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold may use the same 50MP Samsung GN8 sensor as the base model for its primary camera.
Despite the sensor downgrades on the base model, Google’s computational photography, powered by the Tensor G5 and AI tools like Magic Eraser, Night Sight, and Real Tone, is expected to deliver exceptional results. New AI-driven features, such as Video Generative ML for enhanced video editing, 4K 60fps HDR video recording, and Cinematic Blur with video relighting, are also rumored to debut, making the Pixel 10 a powerhouse for content creators.
Software: Android 16 and AI Innovation
The Pixel 10 series will ship with Android 16, featuring the Material 3 Expressive redesign for a fresh, dynamic user interface. Google’s commitment to seven years of OS updates and security patches ensures long-term support. The standout software feature is the rumored “Magic Cue” (previously known as Pixel Sense), an on-device AI assistant powered by the Gemini Nano. Magic Cue is expected to offer proactive assistance, process screenshots and media files locally for enhanced privacy, and integrate deeply with Google’s suite of apps for seamless functionality.
Other AI features include Speak-to-Tweak for voice-driven edits, Sketch-to-Image for generating visuals from sketches, and Magic Mirror for creative enhancements. These additions build on Google’s AI legacy, making the Pixel 10 a leader in intelligent smartphone experiences.
Battery and Charging: Incremental Improvements
While specific battery capacities remain unconfirmed, the Pixel 10 is expected to house a 4,700mAh battery, with the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL potentially offering 4,700mAh and 5,060mAh, respectively. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold may feature a 4,650mAh battery. Charging speeds are rumored to improve, with the base model supporting up to 37W wired and 15W wireless charging and the Pro models potentially offering 45W wired and 25W wireless charging. A notable addition is support for Qi2 MagSafe wireless charging with “Pixelsnap” branded accessories, which may require a case for the base model but could be built-in for the Pro variants.
Release Date and Pricing
Leaks suggest a Made by Google event on August 20, 2025, with pre-orders starting on the same day and shipping commencing on August 28. This aligns with Google’s shift to an earlier August launch, as seen with the Pixel 9 series. Pricing is expected to remain competitive, with the Pixel 10 starting at $799 / £799 / AU$1,349, matching the price of the Pixel 9. The Pixel 10 Pro is rumored to start at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL may see a $100 increase to $1,200 / £1,200 / AU$2,000. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold could be priced lower than its predecessor at around $1,600 / £1,600 / AU$2,450.
What to Expect: A Milestone with Caveats
The Google Pixel 10 series is poised to be a landmark release, with the Tensor G5 chip marking a significant step toward Google’s in-house silicon ambitions. The addition of a telephoto lens to the base model, along with advanced AI features such as Magic Cue and Video Generative ML, underscores Google’s commitment to innovation. However, the downgrade of the camera sensor on the base Pixel 10 has sparked debate, as it may compromise low-light performance compared to the Pixel 9, relying heavily on Google’s software to bridge the gap.
For those seeking a premium experience, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL offer robust camera systems and brighter displays, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold aims to refine Google’s foldable formula. With Android 16, long-term software support, and a refined design, the Pixel 10 series is set to compete fiercely with rivals like the iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S26.
Final Thoughts
The Google Pixel 10 is more than just a smartphone; it’s a testament to Google’s decade-long journey in the mobile space. While the base model’s camera downgrade may raise eyebrows, the Tensor G5’s advanced AI features and competitive pricing make it a compelling choice for Android enthusiasts. As we await the official unveiling, the Pixel 10 series promises to blend cutting-edge technology with Google’s signature software prowess, potentially redefining what a flagship smartphone can be in 2025.
