Last Updated on April 11, 2026 by Alphabet Insider Staff
How the new Pixel 10 compares to last year’s Pixel 9 release
As tech aficionados, we’ve been eagerly riding the anticipation around the latest and greatest Pixel phone from Google. An atmosphere full of energy grows with the Pixel 10 series which is expected to officially announced at the 2025 Made by Google August 20th launch event in New York City.
We’ve cherished a good year with the Pixel 9 series for all its advancements; however, the clamor in the crowd wonders: How will the Pixel 10 really raise the bar for the experience? So, here’s a comparison of the upcoming Pixel 10 versus our beloved Pixel 9.
The Powerhouse Within: Tensor G5 vs. Tensor G4
Inarguably the most crucially anticipated upgrade in the Pixel 10 series is the very heart of the machine: the new Tensor G5 chip. Running off the Tensor G4, the Pixel 9 offered sporadic bursts of good performance, especially favorable to AI-heavy jobs.
But with the Tensor G5, and herein lies a really big shift, Google is departing from Samsung to pursue a relationship with TSMC. This move is interestingly so because with their most advanced 3nm process, TSMC is supposed to give great improvements in power efficiency and heat management.
Earlier Tensor G chips would heat up a bit under heavy loads, so a cooler-G5-efficient one would maintain sustained performance under load and provide a great feeling in using the phone. Raw speed gains merely may not prove to be groundbreaking when comparators come into play. However, efficiency and a wholly custom ISP by Google make for a more polished and optimized Pixel experience channel, especially when it comes to AI.
A Fresh Look (or Not So Fresh?) and Display Enhancements
The Pixel 9 series clearly came with a refined design language, and judging from leaked images and prototype photos, it is unlikely that the Pixel 10 series will be much different. Slight refinements are in order, with the glass of the camera bar potentially extending all the way to the edges and paired with a thinner metal bezel. The high-end materials for build quality, such as Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and IP68 water resistance, are thankfully expected to remain.
Regarding displays, the Pixel 9 already offers a colorful Actua OLED with a peak brightness of 2,700 nits. The speculations for the Pixel 10 point at a further brighter display, maybe up to 3,000 nits peak brightness. More importantly, we want the dimming tech to be improved, with rumors claiming a higher PWM dimming rate or a return to DC dimming, which will obviously be appreciated by anyone sensitive to it. The sizes will largely remain the same, with the standard Pixel 10 expected to be around 6.3 inches and the Pro and Pro XL models featuring bigger displays.
Camera Innovations: A Mixed Bag for Some, a Win for Others
The Pixel’s camera has always been its crown jewel, and the Pixel 9 certainly continued that legacy with its excellent computational photography. With the Pixel 10, we anticipate some interesting shifts. The standard Pixel 10 is rumored to finally gain a telephoto lens, a feature previously reserved for the Pro models. This would be a significant addition for everyday users wanting more versatile zoom capabilities.
However, some leaks suggest a potential downgrade in the main and ultrawide sensors for the base Pixel 10, moving from a 50MP main sensor to a 48MP one, and a 48MP ultrawide to a 12MP or 13MP sensor. This could be a trade-off to accommodate the new telephoto lens within the existing camera bar design.
The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL, on the other hand, are expected to largely maintain their impressive triple-camera setups, potentially with further software refinements powered by the Tensor G5. We’re also keen to see how the rumored improved macro photography and gimbal-like video stabilization, powered by the new chip, will elevate the overall imaging experience across the series.
Battery Life and Charging: Incremental yet Important Gains
Battery life has been a major factor for smartphone users… The Pixel 9 pretty much managed to guarantee an entire day of battery life, and the new Pixel 10 series tries to take that further. Leaks suggest rather modest but welcome boosts in battery capacities across the range.
The base model Pixel 10 might see a bump to approximately 4,970mAh, up from 4,700mAh with the Pixel 9. The biggest change will more likely be with the Pixel 10 Pro XL, which is said to probably carry a whooping 5,200mAh battery, making it the largest battery ever fitted on a Google phone.
Charging-wise, seen from another angle, it is expected to see slight improvements with phones potentially charging via a wire at 27W to 29W on the base model, and 39W on the Pro XL respectively. However, the more compelling rumor supports the Pixel 10 getting faster 15W wireless charging under Qi2. This would be big for wireless charging convenience one way or another, even depending on whether a case is required for magnetic alignment!
The AI Advantage and Software Experience
Google’s Pixel phones have always meant capable software and AI features; therefore, with the launch of Android 16 on Pixel 10, an abundance of features awaits us. The Pixel 9 set the bar pretty high with its nifty Magic Editor and Audio Magic Eraser tools.
For the Pixel 10, we’re hearing about “Pixel Sense,” an on-device assistant that will weave together data from multiple apps, and “Speak to Tweak” for voice-activated photo modifications. These new features, along with the previous ones, will further ensure AI presence in everyday smartphone operations, turning the Pixel into a smarter assistant. We expect greater Google Assistant enhancements and productivity features alongside the faster Tensor G5.
Although the Pixel 9 dropped a strong contender into the market, a refined and optimized experience emerges in the Pixel 10. Google’s decision to move the Tensor G5’s manufacturing over to TSMC is a wise move as it might put concerns over past performance and thermals to rest. While camera changes for the base model might be a mixed bag of additions and minor sensor downgrades, the overall AI-driven software enhancements and incremental improvements in battery life and charging suggest a compelling upgrade.
For now, we’re eagerly waiting for the official reveal to see how these rumored improvements perform in the real world.
