Why I'm Considering The Google Pixel 10 Over The Pro Models This Year (and I'm Not Alone)

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Google's non-Pro Pixel telephone has ever been nan "safe pick." It's nan exemplary I urge to astir users, truthful agelong arsenic they tin unrecorded without nan Pro features -- whether that's an other telephoto camera, much RAM, aliases amended hardware.

Also: This rumored Pixel 10 characteristic puts Google supra Samsung and OnePlus for maine - here's why

While there's small near to nan imagination arsenic acold arsenic what nan upcoming Google Pixel 10 phones will look like, if nan leaks and rumors are true, location will beryllium a notable displacement successful dynamics this year. I'll opportunity it now: The Pixel 10, not nan Pixel 10 Pro, will beryllium some nan safe prime and nan champion prime successful 2025. I'm not alone successful that belief, and here's why.

1. A telephoto lens to zoom further

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An early look astatine marketing renders suggests that nan base-model Pixel 10 will yet get a dedicated telephoto lens, rounding retired nan accepted main and ultrawide sensors. Whether it's pulled from past year's Pixel 9 Pro Fold aliases different older model, having a greater optical zoom scope will let users to seizure distant subjects pinch much clarity and detail. 

It's a large win, whether you often seizure photos of your kid aliases pet moving astir from afar, aliases want to sphere nan liveliness of an creator from your nose-bleed seats.

Also: Google will denote its adjacent lineup of Pixels connected August 20 - Here's what we know

There is 1 notable trade-off pinch this creation decision: Google is reportedly downgrading nan main and ultrawide sensors of nan Pixel 10 to lucifer nan Pixel 9a (which had an inferior camera strategy to past year's Pixel 9) successful bid to merge nan further telephoto sensor. While I recovered nan Pixel 9a's 48MP shooter tin capable for astir environments, camera buffs whitethorn beryllium much drawn to nan Pixel 10 Pro for this reason.

2. The aforesaid Tensor G5 spot arsenic nan Pro

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Google's in-house Tensor chipset doesn't needfully person nan best way record for performance, cellular connectivity, and efficiency, but things are looking up pinch nan upcoming G5 model. If nan rumored 3nm creation and TSMC-based manufacturing (versus Samsung Foundry) are to beryllium realized, we whitethorn yet beryllium looking astatine a strategy processor that delivers snappy day-to-day capacity while besides reliably maintaining power and powerfulness usage.

Also: Google's latest spot is each astir reducing 1 immense hidden costs successful AI

To beryllium clear, I'm not expecting nan Tensor G5 to group caller benchmark precocious scores aliases compete intimately pinch nan Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra aliases OnePlus 13; that's ne'er really been nan tie of Google's in-house silicon. 

Instead, having nan aforesaid processor arsenic nan Pro models should springiness nan modular Pixel 10 entree to each of Google's latest AI tools, galore of which person landed good pinch consumers complete nan past year. Perhaps astir importantly, Google will still person afloat rein complete nan Pixel line's package and information updates, allowing nan devices to enactment much feature-relevant than immoderate different Android phone connected nan market.

3. The flashiest features will beryllium connected nan non-Pro model

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

From nan characteristic parity that includes magnet-based Qi2 wireless charging capabilities to a charming caller Indigo bluish color, it's apt that nan Google Pixel 10 will beryllium nan exemplary that appeals to astir people. It surely has for me, overmuch for illustration really nan ultramarine iPhone 16 stuck retired successful nan dispersed of subdued, monotone Pro exemplary handsets past year.

Also: The champion Android phones to bargain successful 2025

Another hardware quality betwixt nan regular and Pro Pixel phones this twelvemonth will beryllium nan textured sides, pinch nan erstwhile being matte-treated and nan second having a glossy finish. From having tested various handsets pinch various business designs complete nan years, I've recovered that matte-treated broadside rails are nan astir effective. The decorativeness resists retaining lipid and fingerprint smudges, keeping nan telephone looking cleaner.

Alas, nan Pixel 10's little value point, projected to still beryllium $799 for nan 128GB configuration, makes it a compelling upgrade for anyone coming from an older handset. We'll study much astir nan caller Pixel 10 phones during nan Made by Google event connected August 20, truthful enactment tuned.

ZDNET has reached retired to Google for much specifications connected nan rumors and will study backmost pinch immoderate caller information.