We have around a month until Google—hopefully—wows us with new smartphones. On the surface, things look very similar. However, whether you are interested in the Pixel 10 or not, before buying anything else, you should probably wait a little while longer to see just what we get.
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Pixel 10 expectations
Google has wasted no time in confirming the early rumors of an August 20 launch event for the Pixel 10 lineup. Instead of Mountain View, things are kicking off in New York. Which is a return to form given most other Pixels have launched in New York. Not that the launch location matters.
A familiar launch location is the setting to see four new phones: Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. We’re not going to get drastically into the deep specs; as these are still not quite concrete, you’ll probably know what the deal is.
Instead, let’s lay out some of the compelling reasons to hold out or wait until Google unveils the Pixel 10 before you splash any cash. Patience is a virtue – especially with the Pixel series. Whether you agree or not, when Google launches a product, it does have some effect on the retail stores and online retail outlets.
That is, unless you want a foldable. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is getting a couple of small upgrades, whereas the Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be the finest option on the market. It can’t hurt to see just how the Pixel stacks up, though, before you drop some serious cash.
A better base model
For the first time since the Pixel 6 split into two tiers, we are getting a base model with a triple camera system at the rear. This is going to be a big change because it means that you’re not effectively downgrading by picking the cheapest version of the Pixel 10. We’ve had to wait for the base Pixel to add a telephoto, and while it probably isn’t as good as the Pixel 10 Pro, just having the option will change the value proposition drastically.
Without getting too into the specifics of the rest of the device, you are getting an entry model that doesn’t cut out one key component to try and force your hand to upgrade to the Pro tier. Whether intentional or not, it has almost always felt that way on previous versions.
The Pixel 10’s core design will be a repeat of last year’s. Personally, I have no problems with that. If anything, it increases the value of the base Pixel 10, as it will get the most upgrades across the board. For the first time in a while, this could be the star of the show and not the most expensive models. Money-saving experts will definitely be enticed.
Time for Tensor
We eagerly await just what Google’s presentation of the Tensor G5 processor will entail. Traditionally, the company has been super light on the nitty gritty details, but maybe they’ll break from tradition this year. There is only so long you can avoid benchmarks before people start to ask questions. Tensor keeps getting positioned as an AI-first chip, but most Gemini-powered content isn’t unique to the Pixel series.
Whether there is too much made of the switch from Samsung Foundry to TSMC remains to be seen, too. We know it’s not going to be a quantum leap in performance. However, if we get efficiency gains that in turn mean better battery without compromising on the experience, then I think fans will be happy – for the most part.
Then again, in the grand scheme of things, this chip probably doesn’t matter all that much so long as it improves on Tensor G4. This is the first wholly Google-developed processor. In isolation, it’s essential. Where we’ll start to see gains is in the coming years. Not ideal, but Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Other important improvements
Tensor isn’t even where we could get the most significant tangible upgrades. For a long time, Google has clung to slower UFS 3.1 storage while all the biggest and best Android phones have faster UFS 4.0 storage without getting too into the weeds with this potential upgrade. It would mean faster loading times, better data transfer rates, and a better experience overall. It will make things smoother.
As our phones age, we notice shortcomings. The Pixel 9 has been a great product. The thing is, it isn’t as fast doing basic things like loading a webpage or opening an app as other top-tier Android phones launched in the last 18-24 months. You can’t optimize beyond the limits of the hardware inside. If the 7-year update promise is honored, then it better be good when the phone is new, or it’ll only get progressively worse over time.
In tandem with the new chipset, we could get a sizeable gain in day-to-day performance with simple changes like this.
We’re starting to see some brands use silicon-carbon batteries in smartphones. However, we’ll probably have to wait for a future release before we see the tech inside a Google phone, which rules out the Pixel 10. The battery sizes will probably get a minor bump. Charging is another mystery. The good news is that it’s rumored that the base model will get charging parity with the Pro.
A(nother) new era for Google imaging
You can almost set your watch to a Google camera system. After some very small teething problems with the first wave of 50MP sensors, the company has really nailed the fundamentals to the point that it’s easy to argue that for the Pixel 9 series in particular, being the best for photos, period.
No matter the situation, the Pixel nails photos—wide, ultrawide, even when zooming. However, that could get even better courtesy of a new ISP (image signal processor) that is reportedly going to be fully custom for the Tensor G5 chip.
If this new ISP means faster photo processing, that’s a big bonus. If it allows for more imaging options because it can handle more data, we could see even more impressive images. One area we are hoping to see more gains is with on-device video processing. Video Boost is borderline magic, but if Google can eliminate the upload-download requirement for 4K and 8K video, the Pixel 10 might become the go-to for Android content creation.
We’re eagerly waiting just what other camera tricks the Pixel 10 might have. Better processing is just part of the equation.
What about the Pixel 9 and 9a?
There’s a very big elephant in the room this year. because this is the first time that we’re effectively seeing reuse of a particular Pixel design. A retread if you will.
Because we have a fair idea of the core upgrades and not what they will look like in the real world, there is ultimately the question surrounding what happens to the Pixel 9. It will look almost the exact same as the new phone, will have at least comparable specifications, and a mostly similar software experience when Material 3 Expressive is added with QPR1.
If you want a “Pro” phone, the Pixel 9 Pro, Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold are still great options. They will be cheaper and more accessible, and they’ll have about 80% of what makes the Pixel 10 a great buy. Come September, you’ll also get software parity, which is something not many of last year’s phones will get on day one.
At the cheaper end, the Pixel 9a is a slightly different beast. There are a few more downgrades to deal with, but none that will ruin the experience drastically. For under $500, it is a good buy, and it’ll come down more to make it a true budget banger. It may not be the best in all areas, but it is a very solid contender for your hard-earned cash if you want a clean, consistent experience in practically all areas.
The only problem facing the 9a could be the base Pixel 10. It’ll be a substantial upgrade in the camera department. Likely have a better display, plus all of the touted Pixel Sense stuff thrown in. Getting a discount on the previous models is almost imperative, as anything close to the retail price from last year or the retail price of the Pixel 10 series is going to be a bad deal.
Should you buy now or wait for the Pixel 10?
About upgrading: 9to5Google often gives specific product recommendations. Sometimes, we may suggest not upgrading, due to various reasons including, but not limited to: increased device cost, negligible performance gains, or environmental impact. Whether to upgrade is always your call, but our aim is to help you make as informed a decision as possible.
We know that the entire lineup is officially coming August 20. It’s not a stretch to imagine that more details will probably be in the public domain courtesy of leaks between now and then. Leaks are just part and parcel of any big tech launch.
To answer the big question: If you suddenly expect to be in the market for a new device soon, it would be wise to wait for the Pixel 10 to emerge. We don’t yet know if the Pixel 9 is going to stay in the lineup for the next 12 months, but firesales are already starting to pop up. Once we know how the new models stack up against the predecessor and the wider Android phone pool, you can make a more informed decision on where to spend your cash.
We haven’t really delved deep into the minutiae of all the phones. By this stage, you know the deal: One cheap model, two slab phone Pro models, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The most significant sore point is that pricing will jump up this year across the board, which is another reason to hold on until after launch to see where the best deals will settle.
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