All the features I want to see

The brand new Google Pixel 9 sequence contains a barely revamped design, three totally different Professional fashions, a stronger emphasis on AI, and loads of different modifications. It additionally represents one of many greatest deviations from the Pixel components that we’ve seen in years.

Regardless of a number of notable modifications, the Pixel 9 nonetheless retains a number of of probably the most criticized elements of the Pixel sequence, together with restricted storage choices and a much less aggressive SoC in comparison with different telephones. With all of this in thoughts, what can we anticipate from the Pixel 9’s successor? Right here’s all the things we all know in regards to the Google Pixel 10 sequence, together with the Pixel 10 Professional Fold.

Google’s Pixel 9 hit retailer cabinets final August, so there’s nonetheless a whole lot of time earlier than we’ll see the Pixel 10. However it’s extraordinarily possible we’ll see it in late 2025 until Google makes a significant change to its normal technique. That’s nonetheless over six months away away and so we’re nonetheless within the early days in terms of rumors. That mentioned, we’ve truly heard a good quantity contemplating how far-off the discharge is.

Again in 2022, we revealed an unique have a look at Google’s Pixel roadmap by way of 2025, as detailed by sources accustomed to Google’s plans. This included a couple of mentions of the Pixel 10, together with much more fashions, and the potential of a Z Flip competitor.

It’s laborious to say if that authentic roadmap nonetheless holds as we speak, although we are able to say lots of its predictions had been pretty correct. Since then, we’ve additionally heard a couple of different bits in regards to the Pixel 10. In Could, rumors heated up that Google would ditch Samsung and begin utilizing TSMC, beginning with the Tensor G5, which we later offered additional proof of. We’ve since heard reviews that this chip has now entered manufacturing.

Maybe the largest piece of early proof for the existence of the Pixel 10 sequence is an Android Headlines report on September 16 which revealed obvious codenames. The Pixel 10 is claimed to be referred to as “Frankel,” the Pixel 10 Professional is “Blazer,” the Pixel 10 Professional XL is “Mustang,” and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold will apparently be referred to as “Rango.”

Extra lately, SmartPrix has noticed the Pixel 10 units within the GSMA database, full with their mannequin numbers. The Pixel 10 is listed with mannequin numbers “GLBW0” and “GL066,” whereas the Pixel 10 Professional sports activities “G4QUR” and “GN4F5.” The Pixel 10 Professional XL has the mannequin quantity “GUL82,” and the Pixel 10 Professional Fold is tagged with “GU0NP.”

These registrations often imply Google is within the ultimate levels of getting regulatory approvals for its subsequent technology of telephones. Since these information come instantly from Google’s official filings, it’s virtually affirmation that the Pixel 10 sequence is certainly taking place and on its method.

• Google Pixel 9 — September 4, 2024
• Google Pixel 8 — October 12, 2023
• Google Pixel 7 — October 13, 2022

Trying on the Pixel’s historic launch home windows, the cellphone is usually introduced in late September or early October. This modified with the Pixel 9, as the brand new sequence was introduced in late August and arrived on September 4. It’s attainable this was a one-time change to convey the Fold sequence into the mainline Pixel technique, however on the very least, we’re assured you’ll see the Pixel 10 sequence someday in late summer time or early fall of 2025.

We’re nonetheless within the early days of the rumor mill, however there’s greater than sufficient data to start out constructing an image of what to anticipate. We’ll dive into all the options and specs we’ve heard of thus far.

Options

AI has lengthy been a deal with Pixel telephones and that will probably be no totally different on the Pixel 10 sequence. We’ll get into it just a little in a while, however the Tensor G5 can have an improved TPU. Android Authority has reviewed paperwork from Google’s gChips division that say this improve will permit the Pixel 10 to have “Video Generative ML” options. The outline for the function reads, “Submit-capture Generative AI-based Intuitive Video Modifying for the Photographs app.” That is solely a guess, however it feels like Google will let customers edit their movies extra simply through the use of AI that truly understands the video.

It appears we are able to additionally anticipate a number of AI picture modifying options. One such function is known as “Communicate-to-Tweak,” which appears to be an LLM-based modifying software. One other is known as “Sketch-to-Picture,” which might assist you to sketch one thing and have AI flip it into a picture, just like Samsung’s Galaxy AI function. There’s additionally a function referred to as “Magic Mirror,” however we don’t have any data on what it might be. Tensor G5 also needs to be capable to run Secure Diffusion-based fashions regionally.

We don’t know what digicam lenses Google will use for the Pixel 10 sequence but, however we do have some digicam particulars. Within the paperwork we checked out, we discovered that Tensor G5 helps 4K 60fps HDR video, in distinction to earlier fashions that solely supported 4K 30fps HDR video.

Google has basically used a modified model of Exynos to construct its Tensor sequence previously, resulting in less-than-stellar efficiency. The Tensor G4 isn’t a nasty chip, per se, however it lacks uncooked energy and depends closely on throttling throughout heavy hundreds to maintain cellphone temperatures down. Though Snapdragon chips (produced by TSMC) additionally throttle to handle warmth, their preliminary efficiency is powerful sufficient that these drops are much less noticeable. The excellent news is that a number of rumors, together with our personal unique report, counsel that Google is making a swap to TSMC subsequent yr.

Let’s begin off with the earliest rumor of the bunch, which surfaced in July 2023. A report claimed that plans to develop a completely customized Tensor chip was delayed from 2024 to 2025 and that TSMC would produce this silicon on a 3nm course of. In mid-Could 2024, a leaker who goes by Revegnus on X (previously Twitter) corroborated this rumor in a now-deleted publish, saying that Tensor chipsets from the Pixel 10 sequence onwards will probably be manufactured by TSMC. In addition they asserted that the Tensor G5 will use TSMC’s 3nm course of.

Our unique report, talked about at first of this part, offers additional proof of this new Tensor by TSMC SoC. In a transport manifest, we discovered proof of the existence of a Tensor G5 chip pattern together with an abbreviation of its codename “Laguna.” It additionally instantly mentions TSMC and InFO POP — packaging know-how unique to TSMC. From this doc, we additionally discovered that it’ll have 16GB of package-on-package RAM manufactured by Samsung Electronics Firm (SEC).

If it wasn’t positive sufficient by now, a report from BusinessKorea additionally corroborates the swap to TSMC rumor. Nonetheless, this report provides that Samsung’s 3nm course of delivers 10-20% decrease efficiency than TSMC’s 3nm course of.

In July, we heard a rumor that cites “provide chain sources” claiming that TSMC was practically prepared for preliminary manufacturing of the Tensor G5 chip. On the time, it was mentioned the processor was simply reaching the tape-out stage.

Late October handled us to 2 large leaks concerning the Tensor G5. In paperwork from Google’s gChips division, considered by Android Authority, we discovered affirmation that the Pixel 10’s chip will probably be manufactured on TSMC’s 3 nm-class N3E. This is similar course of node Apple makes use of for the iPhone 16 Professional’s A18 Professional and its M4 chips.

The second leak from October additionally entails paperwork we reviewed from Google’s gChips division. We discovered that Google has upgraded the CPU cluster, giving the mid cluster 5 Cortex-A725 cores, with the little cluster shrinking to solely two Cortex-A520 cores. Nonetheless, the agency is preserving the identical single Arm Cortex-X4 main core from earlier than.

We don’t know as a lot in regards to the GPU, however we have now a couple of breadcrumbs to comply with. It is going to have help for ray tracing, one thing new for Tensor chips. We’re additionally anticipating help for GPU Virtualization, which might permit using accelerated graphics in a digital machine.

The ultimate a part of the leak touched on AI and the TPU. It seems that the Tensor G5’s TPU is modestly quicker than the one on the Tensor G4. The trillions of operations per second (TOPS) worth is nearly 40% bigger, however that doesn’t translate properly to real-world efficiency as inside benchmarks counsel it’s solely 14% quicker. The brand new TPU additionally comes with new options comparable to small embedded RISC-V cores and help for on-device coaching.

One different fascinating element we dug up is that the die measurement is 121 mm^2. Apple’s A18 Professional is barely 105 mm^2, making the G5 a noticeably bigger chip.

It’s nonetheless method too early for any leaks or rumors in regards to the value of the Pixel 10 sequence. As such, we’ll simply must depend on earlier developments to make a guess. Above, you’ll be able to see what the costs had been for the final three years. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Professional offered for $599 and $899, respectively. Final yr, sadly, the worth shot up by $100 for each the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Professional. And this yr, the Pixel 9 sequence launched with three fashions for the primary time. The vanilla Pixel 9 went as much as $799, whereas the Professional stayed at $999 and the Professional XL offered for $1,099. As for Google’s foldables, the beginning value has stayed the identical thus far.

If we needed to guess, it’s most likely extra possible than not that these costs will stay the identical for 2025. That mentioned, we wouldn’t be shocked if one and even all 4 of the fashions jumped up by $100 as Google continues to angle its telephones as premium units. We’ll have to attend to see if this prediction comes true.

Contemplating the Pixel 10 continues to be far-off, we’d often advise towards ready. Nonetheless, the scenario is a little more nuanced this time. The Pixel 9 is a stable system, however the Pixel 10 might signify a a lot bigger leap ahead in efficiency, due to the swap to TSMC. Moreover, subsequent yr’s Pixel is a major milestone for the model, marking ten years because the line debuted. This might imply we’ll see loads of different enhancements to have a good time the event. Perhaps even a Pixel 10 Flip?

In the event you don’t completely want a brand new cellphone (say, if you happen to’re utilizing a Pixel 6, 7, or newer and may maintain out one other yr), the Pixel 10 may truly be well worth the wait. That is very true if you happen to’re not thrilled with the design modifications or new AI options within the Pixel 9. Nonetheless, if you happen to like what Google has carried out with the Pixel 9, there shouldn’t be something holding you again from upgrading now. Simply remember that its successor might provide a a lot bigger efficiency increase than any Pixel because the introduction of the Tensor processor.

In the event you’re on the lookout for a tool with sturdy AI capabilities and extra uncooked efficiency however don’t wish to look forward to the Pixel 10, the Galaxy S24 sequence ($859.99 at Amazon) may be the best selection, significantly the S24 Extremely ($1419.99 at Amazon). Whereas the newest Galaxy S sequence might not match Google in AI prowess, it’s a detailed second within the Android world.