Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 series might just be a mixed bag of upgrades, downgrades, and stagnation.
The series, which is expected to grace the big stage sometime in August this year, has been extensively reported on in the last few weeks. We know that the Pixel 10 family will likely feature updated display panels with higher peak brightness than their predecessors, paired with the Tensor G5 chip manufactured by TSMC with the 3nm process.
Elsewhere, we’re also expecting the upcoming base Pixel 10 device to feature a telephoto lens, marking the first time a non-Pro Pixel model has included one. The fact corroborates a different leak we reported on, which alludes to the Pixel 10 series’ telephoto lens being able to capture macro shots.
The telephoto inclusion, however, comes with trade-offs. Information about said trade-offs comes via Android Headlines, suggesting that other base Pixel 10 cameras are taking a big hit to make space for the dedicated telephoto shooter.
For reference, the Pixel 9 features a 50-megapixel 1/1.31-inch main shooter, and a 48-megapixel 1/2.55-inch ultrawide one. The base Pixel 10 could downgrade the primary to a lower 48-megapixel sensor, likely the same 1/2.0-inch sensor found in the Pixel 9a. The ultrawide, on the other hand, will reportedly get a bigger downgrade to a 12-megapixel sensor (from 48-megapixel).
For what it’s worth, the base Pixel 8 offered a 12-megapixel ultrawide shooter, and it was only with the Pixel 9 that Google opted to give the base device a higher-megapixel secondary rear sensor. That makes the decision perplexing, but also believable — especially since it corroborates a Pixel 10 series camera leak from April this year.
Beyond the cameras
Elsewhere, the report highlights that the base Pixel 10 will skip Wi-Fi 7 support, paired with no vapor chamber, which is exclusive to the Pro models.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. In addition to the display upgrade, the base Pixel 10 is also expected to feature a bigger 4,970mAh battery (up from 4,700 mAh). Wired charging speed is also reportedly getting an upgrade, going from 27W max to 29W.
The Pixel 10 series is expected to be revealed in August — August 20th, if early leaks are to be believed. We’ll likely learn more about the upcoming devices closer to that official announcement.
