The annual Made by Google {hardware} occasion takes place this coming week, giving Google a possibility to point out off its newest units, together with new Pixel telephones. And this yr’s version, which takes place on Wednesday (August 20), has a larger sense of anticipation than most.
For starters, based mostly on the rumors surrounding the Pixel 10 lineup, the telephones popping out this yr might introduce some vital adjustments, with the entry-level and high-end units particularly getting some noteworthy enhancements.
Past that, although, there is no denying that the smartphone market is a two-horse race, at the least right here within the U.S. I do not anticipate something that Google declares this week to knock both Apple or Samsung from their lofty perches. However a profitable Pixel 10 rollout would strengthen Google’s place because the telephone maker to show to whenever you need to look past the Huge Two. It could additionally increase the standing of the Pixel among the many finest Android telephones on the market.
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With that in thoughts, this is what I am searching for headed into the Made by Google occasion relating to the upcoming Pixel bulletins.
Greatest Made by Google announcement: Pixel 10 cameras
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In the event you consider all of the rumors circulating in regards to the Pixel 10, it is fairly clear what the largest addition to Google’s entry-level flagship telephone will probably be. Tipsters anticipate the Pixel 10 so as to add a telephoto lens to its rear digital camera array, eliminating a key distinction between the usual Pixel and the Professional mannequin.
The Pixel 10 will reportedly function a 5x optical zoom, matching the Pixel 10 Professional. Extra importantly, it will high the 3x zoom on the Samsung Galaxy S25.
The zoom lens on the Pixel 10 shouldn’t be anticipated to be as highly effective as those on each the Pixel 10 Professional and Pixel 10 Professional XL. Based on rumors, Google goes with a ten.8MP telephoto lens for the Pixel 10. In distinction, the Pixel 10 Professional sequence ought to have a 48MP zoom lens. Google additionally would possibly reduce on the Pixel 10’s ultrawide digital camera, choosing a 12MP sensor as a substitute of the 48MP shooter discovered on the Pixel 9.
It is the rumored zoom capabilities of the Pixel 10 that catch my consideration. Supposedly, the brand new telephone will assist a 5x optical zoom, matching the Pixel 10 Professional. Extra importantly, it will high the 3x zoom that Samsung’s Galaxy S25 affords.
That is vital as a result of the Galaxy S25 is without doubt one of the few sub-$800 flagship telephones to function a telephoto lens. (The OnePlus 13 has one, too, however it begins at $899.) If this Pixel 10 digital camera rumor proves correct, you will have an alternative choice relating to extra inexpensive flagships with a full complement of cameras. And given Google’s observe report at producing one of the best digital camera telephones, the Pixel 10 might show to be a really formidable competitor.
Regulate the Pixel 10 Professional Fold
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On the alternative finish of Google’s Pixel lineup is the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, the anticipated replace to the corporate’s foldable telephone. Following the Galaxy Z Fold 7 launch earlier this summer time, the Pixel foldable would appear to be up in opposition to it — Samsung did an excellent job producing a thinner, lighter foldable telephone with AI options that benefit from that distinctive design.
Nonetheless, it seems like a Galaxy Z Fold 7 vs. Pixel 10 Professional Fold face-off could possibly be extra of a donnybrook than you would possibly assume, with Google tipped to make in-roads on two fronts.
The primary is sturdiness. Rumors forecast that the Pixel 10 Professional Fold will supply an IP68 water and mud resistance score, making it the primary foldable telephone to take action. Most foldables do exactly fantastic with safety in opposition to water, however the very nature of telephones with hinges is that they’ve a tough time defending in opposition to finer particles of mud. To that finish, the Galaxy Z Fold Z affords an IP48 score — good for water safety, however in opposition to mud, you’re taking your possibilities.
Assuming that rumored IP68 score seems to be real, Google has an excellent promoting level for the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, particularly since sturdiness continues to be a problem that forestalls individuals from giving foldable units a attempt.
The opposite factor that stops individuals from shopping for foldable telephones is their prohibitively excessive costs, however once more, Google might need a solution for that with the Pixel 10 Professional Fold. Some studies recommend a worth lower from the Pixel 9 Professional Fold’s $1,799 place to begin to round $1,600 in line with one supply.
Sure, that is nonetheless some huge cash, however contemplating that the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is bumping its head in opposition to the $2,000 ceiling, a $100 to $200 worth lower would make the Pixel 10 Professional Fold a extra compelling various.
Google’s almost certainly focus: Gemini and AI
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{Hardware} particulars about telephones usually leak out, however recommendations on upcoming software program options are more durable to return by. Nonetheless, it is not going out on a limb to anticipate Google to spend so much of time speaking about new AI capabilities enabled by the Tensor G5 chipset we anticipate to energy the Pixel 10 sequence. In any case, AI has been the Pixel’s calling card for years.
Although definitive studies about new AI options have confirmed laborious to return by, we have heard about just a few potential additions like Digital camera Coach, by which the Gemini assistant guides you thru taking the absolute best shot, and a variation on the Sketch-to-Picture Galaxy AI function designed for Pixels. We have additionally heard discuss of a extra customized assistant on board the most recent Pixels.
No matter Google winds up saying will draw inevitable comparisons to each Galaxy AI and Apple Intelligence options. (Primarily based on a teaser video Google put out about delayed Siri enhancements, that final comparability seems like one Google would welcome.) I will definitely be holding an ear out for the way Google plans to keep up the Pixel’s lead as one of the best AI telephone.
The looming query: Battery efficiency
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Since Google switched to its personal Tensor chips for the Pixel telephones, battery efficiency has suffered. The Pixels do not final so long as their flagship counterparts from Apple and Samsung, and you will not discover any Google units troubling our greatest telephone battery life listing.
There have been indicators of life on the battery entrance, although. The Pixel 9a launched earlier this spring topped the 13-hour mark on our batter take a look at, by which telephones surf the net over mobile till they run out of energy. That is 90 minutes higher than the typical telephone and a marked enchancment over current Pixels.
There’s discuss that the Tensor G5 chip would possibly put extra of a deal with efficiency and energy financial savings than previous Tensor silicon, the place the neural engine has gotten a lot of the eye. If the Pixel 10 fashions are in a position to outperform the battery lifetime of their Pixel 9 counterparts, then that is one other constructive step ahead for Google’s telephones.
The largest unknown: Pixel 10 costs
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The potential worth lower for the Pixel 10 Professional Fold that we talked about represents the absolute best growth. On the alternative finish of the size, the Pixel 10 Professional XL could begin at $1,199, in line with studies, which is a $100 enhance over the Pixel 9 Professional XL. The caveat is that older telephone provided 128GB of storage, whereas the Pixel 10 Professional XL is anticipated to begin with 256GB, taking among the sting out its greater value.
As for the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Professional, it is unclear if there will probably be any change from the respective beginning costs of $799 and $999 that their predecessors debuted with. However we’ll know for sure this Wednesday when Google reveals all of the remaining particulars about its latest telephones.
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