The response mainly relies on the model you select and your budget.
The Google Pixel 10 is anticipated to make its formal appearance on August 20, 2025, during the Made by Google event in New York City. We anticipate several announcements, including the Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 XL, and Pixel 10 Fold. Wow.
Yet, while unveiling new hardware is typically thrilling, is it genuinely worth holding out for the Google Pixel 10, or should you consider a discounted Pixel 9 instead? The answer to this varies significantly based on which model you intend to acquire, so let’s examine what we anticipate Google will present and how it stacks up against the Pixel 9 lineup.
Should you wait for the Google Pixel 10?
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If you’re eager about Google’s most compact, budget-friendly device in the Pixel 10 series, I suggest waiting for the Pixel 10. Among all the models, the standard Pixel 10 seems to be undergoing the most revisions compared to the current Pixel 9. Here’s a brief overview based on speculation:
– Quicker processor (~25% according to rumors)
– A telephoto camera (5x optical zoom per leaks)
– Updated sensors for the primary and ultrawide cameras
– Bigger batteries
We don’t expect any significant design alterations from the Pixel 9 to the Pixel 10, apart from the addition of that third camera on the rear. This new camera would signify the first occurrence of Google including a telephoto camera in a standard Pixel model. Historically, one of the main reasons to select the Pro model was for its telephoto camera, making the choice to go for the base Pixel 10 considerably simpler than before.
It’s rumored that Google will implement smaller main and ultrawide camera sensors to accommodate this new telephoto camera. While this might seem like a downgrade at first glance, we had similar concerns with the Pixel 9a — which had smaller sensors compared to the Pixel 8a — but it turned out the camera performed well. In summary, the Pixel 10 should provide a camera upgrade across the board.
Moreover, the upcoming Tensor G5 processor, projected to debut in the Pixel 10, is believed to be about 25% quicker than the Tensor G4 found in the Pixel 9. This is significant because Tensor performance has generally been stagnant for years, and the most recent leaked benchmarks indicate that the G5 is on par with last year’s leading Snapdragon processor — a considerable upgrade from the Pixel 9.
Finally, Google is supposedly augmenting battery capacity slightly. The Pixel 10 is rumored to come with a 4,970mAh battery, whereas the Pixel 9 had a 4,700mAh battery. While this might not make a dramatic difference in daily use, it could assist in getting you through the day without needing a recharge.
Should you wait for the Google Pixel 10 Pro or XL?
While leaks concerning the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Fold reveal some intriguing modifications, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL appear less thrilling. If I needed to purchase a phone today and opted for a Pixel, I would simply acquire the Pixel 9 Pro and call it a day. Here’s what we expect to see when Google announces these devices in mid-August, based on rumors:
– Faster processor (~25% as per whispers)
– Larger batteries
– Enhanced PWM rate
There aren’t many changes from year to year, leading to a less stimulating August for fans of the Pro models. However, there may still be upgrades, as the Tensor G5 enhancement could be worthwhile on its own if you enjoy mobile gaming. A modest increase in battery sizes of about 150mAh for each model also provides just a bit more power to carry through your day. Charging speeds are likely to remain the same between the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10.
The most recent Geekbench leak for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold indicates that the Tensor G5 performs at speeds comparable to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, signifying a substantial improvement. In contrast, the Tensor G4 was roughly equivalent to a Galaxy S22 Ultra on a favorable day. This still implies that Tensor does not rival devices like the OnePlus 13 or Galaxy S25 Ultra in terms of speed, but it could be sufficient to bridge the gap for mobile gamers.
Individuals sensitive to PWM dimming have struggled to use Pixel devices for a long period, but the Pixel 10 Pro line might change this with an improved PWM rate and a potential accessibility feature for those with heightened sensitivity. As someone sensitive to PWM, this news is music to my ears, enabling me to fully enjoy using a Pixel.
