The Google Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL’s Pro Res Zoom camera feature is more than just a fun feature that the brand showed off in an otherwise cringe-making launch event.
It’s one of the few modern camera features that has made me say “wow” when I’ve tried it out, and also one of the best uses of photographic AI we’ve seen since the introduction of Magic Eraser.
I’ve been trying it out on the Pixel 10 Pro XL, and here’s why it’s more than just a party trick.
What is Pro Res Zoom?
Camera and AI combined
You may have already heard about Google’s Super Res Zoom feature, which has been part of the camera on Pixel smartphones for years.
It activated when you took photos zoomed in further than an optical or standard digital zoom. It produced multiple images of a scene, intelligently spliced them together, and added in some AI magic to create a single, optimal photo.
Pro Res Zoom takes a lot of what made Super Res Zoom successful, and then introduces more generative AI to add elements to the zoomed photo that the camera was unable to capture itself.
It also reduces the reliance on smoothing, and makes the photo look more natural by straightening lines and cutting out blur.
The result is technically a hybrid image, as it includes both real and AI-imagined elements.
It’s at this point that Pro Res Zoom will lose some photographers, because the captured image isn’t going to be 100% accurate to what you’re (sort of) seeing with your naked eye.
That’s fine, but to dismiss Pro Res Zoom because it’s not “real” is to miss out on having fun with the camera. It’s not meant to be a serious camera mode. It’s supposed to make you say wow, and it does that really well.
Enough talk, let’s see it in action
Prepare for a pleasant surprise
To use Pro Res Zoom, you must zoom in beyond 30x using the Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL, and then visit the Google Photos app to see the feature transform the image in real time.
This is my favorite part, as Google shows you the before photo, adds a sparkly animation over it, and just a few seconds later presents the final, AI-enhanced result.
Take a look at the photo of the sheep, which was taken at 100x zoom. Before, it was what we’re used to seeing from 100x zoom modes on a smartphone.
Yes, you can basically tell what you’re looking at, but it’s more impressionist watercolor than pixel-sharp digital photo.
The Pro Res Zoom image, created in seconds, creates recognizable leaves and branches in the trees, removes pixelation from the grass, and gives the sheep texture and recognizability.
Pro Res Zoom is excellent at sharpening lines, interpreting shapes, and smoothing where appropriate.
The 24 Hour Emergency Service sign was on the side of a van and also taken at 100x. The before shot isn’t bad, considering, but the Pro Res Zoom version removes blur and sharpens every element, right down to the blades of grass in the foreground.
If I hadn’t told you, I wonder if you’d have even guessed this was a 100x photo.
A more in-depth look
Including a brand comparison
For the full effect, and to illustrate how the 100x zoom can capture objects at a considerable distance, the sequence here shows a 1x photo where you have to look very closely to see the tiny kite flying in the sky, which was only just visible with the naked eye.
The second photo shows a 30x zoom photo, where Pro Res Zoom didn’t kick in because it couldn’t identify anything to enhance.
Finally, we have the Pro Res Zoom 100x shot.
It’s not strictly “real,” but I don’t really care. It’s mighty impressive that the camera captured anything at all, and even more so when the kite looks normal.
What’s more, Google’s in-app stabilization is very effective and allows you to easily steady the camera when shooting such a tiny object from so far away.
Before Pro Res Zoom, Samsung often made a very big deal about its AI-powered 100x Space Zoom, so how does it compare to the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s efforts?
It’s simply not as advanced, and the shots it takes aren’t anywhere near as clear, sharp, or usable as Pro Res Zoom shots.
The photo of the pigeon sitting on an overhead cable was taken at 100x on both the Pixel 10 Pro XL and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The Samsung phone produces one image, while the Pixel retains the original photo plus its Pro Res Zoom interpretation. The differences between them are obvious.
What can’t Pro Res Zoom do?
Best to just embrace what it can do
Now you’ve seen what Pro Res Zoom can do, what about its limitations?
Google has made it clear Pro Res Zoom has a human detection feature, where for privacy reasons, it won’t enhance people in a Pro Res Zoom shot, and all images created with the feature will include C2PA content markers identifying them as AI-enhanced.
Outside of this, Pro Res Zoom is only so good at interpreting what it sees and filling in the blanks.
Unless words are very clear in the before photo, it will turn most script into a jumble of lines and curves, and its understanding of anatomy is often skewed.
In the photo of the sheep above, it mistook the sheep’s lowered, black head for a leg, resulting in a creature best left in Silent Hill when you crop in and look closely.
It means you must choose your Pro Res Zoom subjects carefully, and never expect it to entirely transform what you may not even be able to properly make out with your own eyes.
Provided you have a good idea of what the subject of the photo should be, and there are enough visual clues for the AI to work with, Pro Res Zoom can be incredibly effective and a lot of fun.
You + your camera + AI = your best photos yet
Google’s Pro Res Zoom is more than just a party trick or tech demo. It’s a fun feature I recommend trying out, as I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what it can do.
However, what it takes aren’t strictly photographs in the accepted sense of the word.
Pro Res Zoom takes digital images created by a camera and AI working together, resulting in more grounded, realistic, and usable images than Google’s Magic Editor’s Stylized mode, which is its other flashy, but entirely too weird, generative AI camera mode.
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Google Pixel 10 Pro
- SoC
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Google Tensor G5
- RAM
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16GB
- Storage
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128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB with Zoned UFS / 1 TB with Zoned UFS
- Battery
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4870mAh
- Operating System
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Android 16
- Front camera
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42 MP Dual PD selfie camera
Google’s latest Pro Pixel packs a faster yet efficient Tensor G5 chip, an upgraded ISP, and a brighter display. Plus, an array of new AI features that make it one of the best Android phones to launch in 2025.
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Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
- SoC
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Google Tensor G5
- RAM
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16GB
- Storage
-
128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB with Zoned UFS / 1 TB with Zoned UFS
- Battery
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5200mAh
- Operating System
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Android 16
- Front camera
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42 MP Dual PD selfie camera
The Pixel 10 Pro XL packs all the same features you’ll find on its less expensive siblings, along with a few exclusive features like a 6.8-inch display and faster charging.
