The Pixel 10 would not appear thrilling as a resul...

Google is lower than a month away from launching new smartphones, a brand new lineup that may span display sizes and type components. Like in earlier years, the telephones have leaked properly upfront of Google really saying something about them publicly. Solely just lately did the corporate even acknowledge that its occasion on August 20 will probably be devoted to the Pixel 10 with a teaser on its website. Based mostly on what Google has shared and what’s leaked out, you may get a transparent image of what the corporate will launch. And surprisingly, it seems similar to final 12 months’s telephones.

Whereas the concept Google is simply delivery a refined model of the Pixel 9 is perhaps disappointing, it does recommend one thing that is been true for some time: {hardware} has by no means been the main focus of the Pixel, it is the software program the {hardware} can run that issues. And at this level in 2025, Gemini is the software program that issues most at Google.

The Pixel 10 is a “Pixel 9S”

The brand new cellphone looks like a refinement, not a reimagining

Smartphones used to take for much longer to evolve. Yearly releases have been frequent for the reason that starting, however the concept every year new smartphones ought to have a radical new design or paradigm-shifting characteristic is a comparatively current concept. Most individuals have been pleased with a cellphone that simply labored higher.

The early days of the iPhone, for instance, have been outlined by Apple’s “tick-tock” launch schedule. One 12 months the corporate would introduce new designs and supplies and the following 12 months, the identical design, however with refinements. That may very well be improved parts or a novel software program characteristic, like when Siri was launched on the iPhone 4S, but it surely by no means got here with any huge adjustments to the cellphone itself. Telephones launched within the years when the {hardware} did not change got an “S” to suggest that they have been higher than the numbered launch.

Google hasn’t actually adopted the identical sample. Parts of its design carry throughout telephones, like the thought of a two-tone end or an enormous digital camera bump, however every of its Pixels has been fairly totally different from the final, save for the leap from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel 7. You may justify this by saying that Google has been taking part in catch-up, but it surely nonetheless implies that the Pixel 10 is a present of restraint. The cellphone, as depicted within the firm’s teaser and the quite a few leaks, didn’t fall removed from the Pixel 9 tree.

The largest visible change Google is making is the addition of a brand new digital camera to the entry-level Pixel 10, in order that now all of its telephones have a large, ultra-wide, and telephoto choice. Leaked specs recommend it is an 11-megapixel telephoto digital camera, just like the telephoto on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and it will assist the corporate’s Tremendous Res Zoom characteristic. Whereas it looks like the standard may very well be higher, it is nice that Google is not locking the choice behind a extra premium value.

Internally, the corporate is reportedly including a Tensor G5 chip and a brand new magnetic wi-fi charging system probably based mostly on Qi2. The Tensor G5 would not look like it will be that rather more highly effective than the Tensor G4, however switching to a 3nm design implies that it ought to be extra power-efficient. The brand new wi-fi charging system — reportedly called “Pixelsnap” — may introduce the comfort of MagSafe to the Pixel lineup. Will any of those adjustments make the Pixel 10 really feel all that totally different from the Pixel 9? That continues to be to be seen, however based mostly on what’s leaked and what Google has visually confirmed, the Pixel 10 looks like a Pixel 9S.

Gemini is Google’s major focus

The corporate is intent on pushing AI into each product

Gemini was an enormous a part of Google’s pitch for the Pixel 9, and has solely change into an even bigger half since. The corporate has frequently launched Pixel Drops (shock software program updates with new options) for the reason that cellphone was launched, and variety of them have been Gemini-focused. The dearth of thrilling new {hardware} adjustments within the Pixel 10 may very properly be as a result of Google goes to lean even tougher into Gemini.

Pixels have been considered showcases for Google’s model of Android, an working system the corporate maintains, but it surely looks like that may very well be altering. Given how many individuals are satisfied smartphones is perhaps one of the best place to work together with AI, it is cheap to imagine that Pixels are shifting into being a software for demoing Gemini before everything. No less than till merchandise working Android XR or Google’s own smart glasses change into accessible.

Apart from the refinements and design components of Android 16, it is laborious to say what new software program options Google might need deliberate for the Pixel 10. The corporate continues to demo Project Astra, so Gemini-powered options that take motion in your behalf would make sense, but it surely’s laborious to say if they’re prepared for prime time.

The Pixel’s {hardware} is already good

There are legitimate causes to maintain issues constant

It would initially really feel unusual that Google would not appear to be altering Pixel {hardware} for the Pixel 10. However the firm would not have to reinvent the wheel each time, and possibly should not. Sticking to largely the identical {hardware} setup may imply the Pixel 10 is extra inexpensive to provide and extra sturdy. We can’t know every part till Google really pronounces its new telephones, however even when the cellphone’s {hardware} would not set the world on hearth, Gemini may.

For a have a look at the AI options Google included on the Pixel 9 Pocket-lint has protection of Pixel Screenshots and the Pixel’s image generation feature. And should you’re curious about what’s leaked concerning the Pixel 10 to date, Pocket-lint has a roundup of all the features it is best to care about.