After a widespread number of rumors, speculation, and leaks, Google has finally given a full, complete official look at its next lineup of flagship phones, the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
Google today announced its latest suite of hardware and software innovations, headlined by the tenth generation of Pixel smartphones: the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL. These new devices are powered by the company’s brand-new Tensor G5 chip and the latest Gemini Nano model, promising a more personalized, proactive, and helpful Pixel experience.
The Pixel 10 series features a refined design, including an updated camera bar, built-in Pixelsnap for Qi2 wireless charging, and a new range of magnetic accessories. Google emphasizes the use of more recycled materials in their construction. The phones will debut Material 3 Expressive, a new UI with fluid animations, and will receive seven years of Pixel Drops, OS, and security updates.
The standard Pixel 10 sports a satin-finish metal frame, a polished glass back, and comes in Obsidian, Frost, Indigo, and Lemongrass. Its 6.3-inch Actua display boasts a peak brightness of 3000 nits. Camera upgrades include a first-time 5x telephoto lens with fast autofocus and up to 20x Super Res Zoom.
The premium Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL (available in 6.3-inch and 6.8-inch sizes, respectively) offer Google’s most advanced design, brightest Super Actua displays, and a top-tier triple rear camera system. Color options include Obsidian, Porcelain, Moonstone, and Jade. Exclusive to the Pro models is Pro Res Zoom, reaching up to an impressive 100x zoom. These phones also feature larger batteries, upgraded speakers, 16GB of RAM, and faster charging, with the Pro XL supporting 25W Qi2.2 wireless charging.
The Tensor G5 chip represents a significant leap in Google’s custom silicon, co-designed with Google DeepMind to run the newest Gemini Nano model on-device. This enables new generative AI experiences, such as Magic Cue, a proactive feature integrated across apps like Google Messages and the Phone app to offer relevant information and actions at the right time. The Pixel 10 camera also gains AI enhancements with Camera Coach, which uses Gemini models to provide photography improvement suggestions, and the advanced Pro Res Zoom, which utilizes a large generative AI model to enhance detail at high zoom levels.
The Pixel 10 lineup is available for preorder today, with the Pixel 10 starting at $799, the Pixel 10 Pro at $999, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL at $1199. The Pro models include a year of Google AI Pro. All three phones will be available on August 28.
Google also introduced the Pixel Watch 4, featuring a complete redesign. It boasts a first-of-its-kind domed Actua 360 display with a larger active area and smaller bezels, achieving 3000 nits of brightness. The watch is the first smartwatch to support standalone Satellite Communication and integrates Gemini for on-the-go assistance via “Raise to Talk.” It also remains unique in its ability to detect a loss of pulse.
The Pixel Watch 4 features Material 3 Expressive for a more dynamic display, a stronger custom haptic engine, and an upgraded speaker. Battery life is extended by 25%, reaching 30 hours on the 41mm model and 40 hours on the 45mm model, with an even longer life in Battery Saver mode. A new Quick Charge Dock allows for 0-50% charging in just 15 minutes. The watch is powered by the Snapdragon® W5 Gen 2 Wearable Platform and a faster ML-powered co-processor. It’s built with durable materials and is water-resistant up to 50 meters, and for the first time, it features a serviceable design with a replaceable battery and display.
Pixel Watch 4 LTE offers standalone emergency satellite communications. Enhanced health and fitness features include smarter sleep tracking, enhanced skin temperature sensing, more accurate route tracking with new dual-frequency GPS, real-time bike stats, and new exercise modes. A personal AI health coach, built with Gemini, will be available in preview in October. On-device AI also powers Smart Replies, and Gemini can be accessed hands-free with “Raise to Talk.”
The Pixel Watch 4 is available for preorder now and will be on shelves starting October 9, with pricing remaining the same as the Pixel Watch 3.
Joining the announcements is the Pixel Buds 2a, the latest addition to the A-series earbuds, which for the first time in the lineup, features Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 1.5 (ANC). Powered by the Tensor A1 chip and enhanced with Google AI, the Pixel Buds 2a offer impressive sound, a comfortable and lightweight design with a twist-to-adjust stabilizer, and Gemini integration for hands-free assistance. Battery life reaches 7 hours with ANC on and up to 20 hours with the charging case. The case battery is also replaceable for extended life.
The Pixel Buds 2a come in Iris and Hazel and offer features like Multipoint, Fast Pair, and Find Hub. They are available for preorder today at $129 and will be on shelves on October 9.
Finally, Google previewed Gemini for Home, an all-new voice assistant built on the same advanced AI models as the mobile version. Gemini for Home aims to be more powerful and easier to use than the current Google Assistant, understanding more nuanced and complex requests for tasks like media discovery, smart home control, calendar management, and answering general knowledge questions. Gemini Live is also coming to the home, offering intuitive conversational capabilities for more detailed and personalized help with tasks like cooking, exploring topics, troubleshooting, and creative collaboration. Gemini for Home will eventually replace Google Assistant on existing speakers and displays, with early access starting in October.
In related news for audio, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will be available in a new Moonstone color, with a software update next month bringing features like Adaptive Audio, Loud Noise Protection, and enhanced Gemini Live capabilities, including hands-free call and text management with head gestures. The new Moonstone Pixel Buds Pro 2 are available for preorder today at $229, with availability on August 28.
Google also announced the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, its most durable foldable device yet. Featuring a new gearless hinge with increased durability, IP68 water and dust resistance, and a re-engineered Super Actua Flex Display with enhanced drop protection, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold boasts larger 8-inch inner and 6.4-inch outer displays with up to 3000 nits brightness. It features the largest battery on a Google foldable with over 30 hours of battery life, faster wired charging, and built-in Qi2 charging with Pixelsnap. Powered by the Tensor G5 chip, it includes the same helpful AI features as the Pixel 10 phones and significant camera improvements, including a new 48MP main camera and features like Instant View. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is available for preorder today and will be on shelves on October 9.
As an owner of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and have owned one for nearly a year now, I have no intention of upgrading to anything new unveiled today. I’m glad for the update to the Pixel Buds Pro 2 though, as a daily user of them for also nearly a year now. I anticipate these will be very successful and popular that will get numerous awards only to still just barely be beat out by Samsung’s offerings, especially in performance where Google is likely to continue to struggle but not be nearly as much as it used to.
