The Pixel 10 series is here. These are the first official flagship Android phones with magnetic Qi2 wireless charging. Also in tow are the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a earbuds.
Nearly a decade ago, Google announced the first Pixel phone at an event in San Francisco. When Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai took the stage that day, he talked about the mobile-first to AI-first transition.“I believe computers should adapt to how people live their lives, rather than people having to adapt to computers.”That vision is still playing out on the Pixel phone, which is now in its 10th generation.
Google unveiled its Pixel 10 series Android smartphones today at a live event in Brooklyn, New York. You can watch the presentation on Google’s YouTube channel.
The lineup is comprised of the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The company also debuted the Pixel Watch 4 smartwatch and Pixel Buds 2a wireless earbuds. All of these devices are available for preorder, with varying release dates. There are notable hardware improvements across the board, and naturally, lots of new AI-powered software features that claim to help save you time.
Here’s everything you need to know.
The Pixel 10 Series
The Pixel 10 series isn’t drastically different from the Pixel 9 series, sharing nearly the same design language (in new colors). But there’s one big hardware change that will shake up the smartphone accessory ecosystem: Qi2 wireless charging support. This isn’t a half-measure like Samsung’s Qi2-Ready devices; Google’s latest phones have magnets embedded in the back just like iPhones, opening up a world of Qi2 accessories that can be shared with Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem.
Qi2 enables more efficient wireless charging that’s also faster, thanks to precision alignment between magnets embedded in the phone and the wireless charger. (It’s similar to MagSafe; Apple helped develop the newer Qi2 standard, and all MagSafe iPhones have Qi2 support.) The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold have standard Qi2 15-watt charging support, but the Pixel 10 Pro XL uniquely supports the new Qi2 25-watt standard, allowing it to recharge even quicker. All of this means that there will be a growing list of cross-compatible magnetic accessories—chargers, mounts, and other things the phone can click onto—that will work not only on iPhones, but also on Pixel 10 phones.
For its part, Google has a few Qi2-certified accessories launching alongside its new phones. Google’s calling its accessory system“Pixelsnap,”and it includes the Pixelsnap Charger ($40), Pixelsnap Charger With Stand ($70), Pixelsnap Cases, and Pixelsnap Ring Stand ($50).
| Specs: | Pixel 10 | Pixel 10 Pro | Pixel 10 Pro XL | Pixel 10 Pro Fold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display: | 6.3 inches, 60 to 120 Hz, OLED, up to 3,000 nits | 6.3 inches, 1 to 120 Hz, LTPO OLED, up to 3,300 nits | 6.8 inches, 1 to 120 Hz, LTPO OLED, up to 3,300 nits | External screen: 6.4 inches, 60 to 120 Hz, OLED, up to 3,000 nits. Internal screen: 8 inches, 1 to 120 Hz, LTPO OLED, up to 3,300 nits |
| Processor and RAM: | Tensor G5 with 12 GB RAM | Tensor G5 with 16 GB RAM | Tensor G5 with 16 GB RAM | Tensor G5 with 16 GB RAM |
| Storage: | 128 and 256 GB | 128, 256, 512 GB and 1 TB | 256, 512 GB and 1 TB | 256, 512 GB and 1 TB |
| Battery: | 4,970 mAh | 4,870 mAh | 5,200 mAh | 5,015 mAh |
| Cameras: | 48-MP wide, 13-MP ultrawide, 10.8-MP telephoto (5X), 10.5-MP selfie camera | 50-MP wide, 48-MP ultrawide, 48-MP telephoto (5X), 42-MP selfie camera | 50-MP wide, 48-MP ultrawide, 48-MP telephoto (5X), 42-MP selfie camera | 48-MP wide, 10.5-MP ultrawide, 10.8-MP telephoto (5X), 10-MP front selfie camera, 10-MP inner selfie camera |
| Updates: | 7 years | 7 years | 7 years | 7 years |
| Extras: | Pixelsnap Qi2 wireless charging, fingerprint and secure face unlock, IP68, Wi-Fi 6E | Pixelsnap Qi2 wireless charging, Pro Res Zoom, Camera Coach, 8K video recording, Video Boost, fingerprint and secure face unlock, Google AI Pro Plan, IP68, Wi-Fi 7, Ultra-Wideband | Pixelsnap Qi2 25W wireless charging, Pro Res Zoom, Camera Coach, 8K video recording, Video Boost, fingerprint and secure face unlock, Google AI Pro Plan, IP68, Wi-Fi 7, Ultra-Wideband | Pixelsnap Qi2 wireless charging, Camera Coach, Video Boost, IP68, Wi-Fi 7, Ultra-Wideband |
| Colors: | Indigo, Frost, Lemongrass, Obsidian | Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain, Obsidian | Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain, Obsidian | Moonstone, Jade |
| Price: | $799 | $999 | $1,199 | $1,799 |
All four Pixel 10 phones have the new Tensor G5 chipset, which Google says is on average 34 percent faster than its predecessor. The imaging signal processor has been upgraded for improved image and video quality, and Tensor G5 runs the latest Gemini Nano model, powering more than 20 on-device generative artificial intelligence experiences.
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They’re also the first to launch with Android’s new Material 3 Expressive design language, which includes more fluid, springy animations, smoother interactions, and emphasized typography.
Now let’s look at where things start to diverge.
Pixel 10
The colors on all the Pixel 10 phones are more muted this year, except for the Indigo Pixel 10, which is designed to resemble the“Really Blue”on the original Pixel. (Really Really Blue would have been a better name.) The handset also comes in Frost, Obsidian, and Lemongrass.
The most notable upgrade on Google’s cheapest Pixel 10 is the inclusion of a 5X telephoto camera, meaning you’re finally getting a triple-camera system to rival the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy S25. (It’s one of the only phones at this price to have a 5X optical camera.) But before you rejoice, Google had to make some concessions to keep the price under $800.
The wide and ultrawide image sensors are smaller than on the Pixel 9, and while that doesn’t necessarily mean worse photos, there’s a chance for some minor loss in detail. The trade-off might be worth it for folks who prefer having a zoom lens. The specs line up with the Pixel 9a’s cameras, but Google says the Pixel 10 has a more powerful imaging pipeline with the Tensor G5 chip, which should offer better results in color, texture, noise, and autofocus. It also has a faster multizone laser-detect autofocus.
Otherwise, the 6.3-inch screen is brighter, and the top speaker has been upgraded to deliver better bass and overall richer audio quality. It costs $799 and is available for preorder now. Official sales kick off on August 28.
Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL
Google hasn’t changed the camera sensors on the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL over the Pixel 9 Pro series. However, the company still claims to have improved the 2X digital zoom option to be even more like an optical zoom. The telephoto camera sensor is the same, but Google says the lens has been upgraded for better image quality.
More notable is the introduction of Pro Res Zoom, an exclusive feature to these models and an evolution of Google’s Super Res Zoom technology. Pro Res Zoom lets you digitally zoom in with the viewfinder to capture photos at 100X and still end up with something usable. Google says the phone is processing more than 200 frames but also uses generative artificial intelligence to fill in the gaps, resulting in a photo that delivers impressive sharpness at detail for a smartphone. The only question is how real you want to believe it is. It’s not meant to work on people to“prevent inaccurate misrepresentations.”
These are the only Pixel phones that can capture 8K video with the help of Google’s Video Boost technology, which sends your footage to the cloud for processing to improve brightness, detail, colors, and stabilization.
The 6.3- and 6.8-inch screens can get slightly brighter than the standard Pixel 10, and they can ratchet the screen refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz, making them more power-efficient. There’s more RAM on offer here, and Google says both the top and bottom speakers are upgraded for louder bass and better stereo audio. The Pixel 10 Pro XL charges the fastest, hitting up to 70 percent in 30 minutes when used with a 45-watt charger, and it’s the only Pixel with Qi2 25-watt support.
The Pixel 10 Pro costs $999, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL is $1,199. Prices for these phones are technically the same as last year’s Pro models, except the Pixel 9 Pro XL started at $1,099 for the 128-GB version. Since there’s no 128-GB option for the Pixel 10 Pro XL, the price is the same as its predecessor for the 256-GB model. Both are available for preorder now and officially hit store shelves on August 28.
Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Google’s latest folding phone focused on improving durability this year, and that’s evident in the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s IP68 dust and water protection rating. (Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z Fold7 and Flip7 are still only IP48, making them potentially more prone to dust damage.)
There’s a new gearless hinge, allowing the 6.4-inch outer display to have smaller bezels around the screen, especially on the left side where the display meets the hinge. Google says this gearless design enables better drop performance; I saw exactly how Google stress-tests its devices, and you can read more about that here. Google even goes so far as to claim that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is capable of more than 10 years of folding.
On the software side, there are some multitasking improvements to make use of the big 8-inch inner screen. In split-screen mode, you can now resize each app and even hide most of one away to the side, ready to access whenever you need it. There’s drag-and-drop support for images, and a new Instant View mode in the camera app that shows your photos right next to the viewfinder so you can see your shots as you capture them.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold still doesn’t match Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL in specs and features. Despite paying well more than any of the other devices, the camera sensors don’t match the quality of what you’ll find on the Pixel 10 Pro series. (The selfie cameras don’t even have autofocus.) The screen doesn’t hit the same brightness levels, and it lacks some camera features like Pro Res Zoom and 8K video recording.
It costs $1,799—notably the price hasn’t gone up since last year, unlike competitors—and while you can preorder it now, it’ll officially go on sale on October 9.
Pixel 10 AI Features and Apps
Google Pixel launches are rarely about the hardware. The magic is in the software capabilities and AI features, and there’s a laundry list of those available in these phones. For example, Magic Cue will read new text messages and proactively provide suggested responses with information pulled from your Google apps (if you opt in). If your mom asks for your flight information, you’ll see a suggested reply complete with your flight details pulled from Gmail; no need to hunt for anything. It works specifically in the Google Messages app and Gboard, Google’s keyboard.
There’s also a new Camera Coach that trains you in real time on how to take better photos, as well as a newfound ability for Google Photos to make edits to your images when you type a text-based prompt. Google has added real-time voice translations to phone calls between parties who speak different languages, and the company has debuted a new journaling app called Pixel Journal. I’ve curated all of the most notable new AI features in a separate story.
The Pixel Watch 4
There’s a new smartwatch to accompany Google’s latest smartphones. The Pixel Watch 4 is once again available in two sizes—41 and 45 mm—and this time, Google is emphasizing the device’s repairability. Pixel Watch owners can now replace the battery and screen, with replacement components available at iFixit. Considering that previous Google watches weren’t repairable at all, this a massive improvement.
These watches feature a new domed display to match the iconic domed-glass design, and they have brighter screens, more powerful and efficient processors for better battery life, and even a new charger that juices ’em up quicker (50 percent in 15 minutes). The highlight? You can now raise your wrist to speak to the Gemini voice assistant; no need to say a hotword or press a button.
You can read all about what’s new in the Pixel Watch 4 in a separate article, including an exclusive teardown video showcasing the screen and battery replacement. The 41-mm starts at $349 for the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi model, and the 45-mm costs $399. If you want an LTE connection, you’ll have to cough up an extra $100, respectively. You can preorder the Pixel Watch 4 now, but it doesn’t ship until October 9.
The Pixel Buds 2a
Finally, there’s yet another wearable. A follow-up to Pixel Buds A-Series from 2021, there’s now a Pixel Buds 2a wireless earbuds. (The“a”denotes that this is the budget-friendly version, not to be confused with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 that debuted in 2024.)
Google says these earbuds are the smallest and lightest it has ever made, and they feature a twist-to-adjust stabilizer to keep them in your ears. The acoustic design has supposedly been improved for more immersive sound. They’re IP54 water-resistant, are powered by the Tensor A1 chip found in the Pro variant, and finally feature active noise cancellation, now a common capability for most wireless earbuds at this price. They’ll get seven hours of playback with ANC turned on, and 20 hours total if you include the extra battery in the USB-C case (though you still can’t wirelessly charge the case). Speaking of the case, Google says it’s designed for repairability—the battery inside is replaceable for the first time.
There’s Bluetooth multipoint to connect multiple devices, and Find Hub support, meaning you can find your lost Pixel Buds 2a using Google’s new Find Hub app. Like the Pixel Watch 4, these $129 earbuds are available for preorder now but won’t be available until October 9.
If you have last year’s Pixel Buds Pro 2, you’ll be happy to know that a free software update is coming in September. It’ll add Adaptive Audio, which will automatically adjust transparency to your surroundings, and Loud Noise Protection. Essentially, if an ambulance passes by you, it’ll reduce the volume so the siren doesn’t blast your ears, but you’ll still hear ambient sounds like cars whizzing by to keep you safe. Google says Gemini Live will work better in noisy environments, and a nod of your head can accept a call, and a shake can dismiss it. These new capabilities are also paired with a new Moonstone color of the Buds Pro 2, which will be available on August 28 for $229.
