Most modern smartphone cameras offer macro capabilities to let you capture key details in small subjects. Inherently, capturing macro shots has long tasked users with getting up close and personal. That, however, could change with Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 series.
For reference, most modern smartphones task the ultrawide lens to bear the brunt of macro photography. The ultrawide shooter has a close focusing distance, which means users need to physically get close to their subject to capture proper detail in their shots. Some OEMs have experimented with overcoming the limitation by passing on macro responsibilities to a different lens, and it looks like Google might do the same with the Pixel 10 series.
A new Android Headlines report suggests that the Pixel 10 series’ telephoto lens will be able to capture macro shots. This makes sense, especially considering early leaks that suggested that base Pixel 10 will finally offer a telephoto shooter. However, macro capabilities won’t be limited to the telephoto lens — the ultrawide shooter will retain the capability too.
This means that users will have the option to get close to their subject if convenient, all while also being able to capture macro-level detail from a distance.
It’s unclear if all models will get tele-macro
According to the report, your Pixel 10 series device will decide which lens to deploy for macro shots depending on your distance from the subject, potentially even swapping between the telephoto and the ultrawide sensor intelligently.
This is a solid move on Google’s part that essentially gives users of the Pixel 10 series the best of both worlds, ensuring optimal results regardless of proximity to said subject. This can be useful when trying to get a closeup of a flower without casting a shadow on it, or while trying to snap a detailed shot of a bug you’re too scared to get close to.
It isn’t entirely clear if the telephoto lens’ macro support is limited to the upcoming Pixel 10 series’ Pro models, or if the feature will make its way to all models. The inclusion of a dedicated telephoto shooter on the base Pixel 10 hints at the latter to be true.
The Pixel 10 series is expected to be unveiled at an in-person event on August 20. We’ll likely learn more about the upcoming devices before then.
