Google Pixel 10: Release Date, Price & Specs Rumours

The Pixel 10 series is still a while away, but there’s already a lot of buzz surrounding what will make this next-gen device stand out from its predecessors.

With rumours of a brand-new Tensor G5 chip and improved biometric features, anticipation is building for what could be Google’s most advanced Pixel yet. Especially as the Pixel 9 series has not quite lived up to users’ expectations and our thoughts on the Pixel 9 are rather mixed.

Here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming Pixel 10 series.

When will the Google Pixel 10 be released?

At this early stage, there’s no official release date for the Pixel 10 phones, of course.

However, codenames of the series have been leaked (via Android Headlines), revealing four models: Pixel 10 (‘Frankel’), Pixel 10 Pro (‘Blazer’), Pixel 10 Pro XL (‘Mustang’), and Pixel 10 Pro Fold (‘Rango’). These names reference different horse breeds.

The leak suggests that the Pixel 10 lineup will maintain the variety of models seen in the Pixel 9 series, including a continuation of the Pixel 10 Pro model as a compact premium option.

Additionally, the Google Pixel 9a, codenamed ‘Tegu’, has also been mentioned, although this information isn’t new.

Over the years, Google had a pretty regular routine when it comes to its hardware launches. Recently, however, practices changed with the release of the Pixel 9 series.

Here’s when the previous core (non ‘a’) models were launched:

• Google Pixel 9 series: August 2024
• Google Pixel 8 series: October 2023
• Google Pixel 7 series: October 2022
• Google Pixel 6 series: October 2021

There’s a chance that the Pixel 10 series will follow this year’s models and make its debut in August 2025. However, Google might return to its regular schedule and debut the Pixel 10 series in October 2025 instead.

Learn more about the history of Google Pixel phones.

How much will the Google Pixel 10 cost?

As a reminder, here are the launch prices of the Pixel 9 series:

• Google Pixel 9: £799/$799
• Google Pixel 9 Pro: £999/$999
• Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: £1,099/$1,099
• Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: £1,749/$1,799

The regular Pixel 9 is £100/$100 more expensive than the Pixel 8. The Pixel 9 Pro, on the other hand, is priced the same as the Pixel 8 Pro, likely so that the Pixel 9 Pro XL can be introduced at £100/$100 more.

Lastly, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is priced at £1,749/$1,799, the same as the original Pixel Fold.

After a couple of price rises, we hope the Pixel 10 series will be priced the same as the previous series.

What specs and features will the Google Pixel 10 have?

Design

The design of the Pixel 10 series is still a topic of speculation, but it’s expected that Google may continue to use the new flatter, more industrial look introduced with the Pixel 9 series.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

While the flatter edges may be less ergonomic than previous models, it’s possible that Google could opt for a more balanced approach in the Pixel 10 series; merging the sleek flat sides with more comfortable curves.

And of course, the new camera ‘pill’ is very likely to stay with us for a while.

Display

Google is likely to push the limits of display technology with the Pixel 10 series.

While the 3000 nits brightness of the Pixel 9 is already impressive, the Pixel 10 might go even further; enhancing outdoor visibility and performance under direct sunlight. Also expect adaptive refresh rates from 60- to 120Hz to continue, ensuring smooth scrolling while conserving battery life when full performance isn’t needed.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

One area in which improvement is highly anticipated is PWM dimming (Pulse Width Modulation), which affects display flicker and can lead to eye strain for some users.

Currently, Google’s display technology flickers at a low 240Hz, which is half the rate of the Galaxy S24 series and the iPhone 15 series. With competitors like the OnePlus 12’s 2160Hz PWM rate, it’s expected that the Pixel 10 series will adopt a more eye-friendly approach. This would make it more comfortable for long-term use, especially in low-light settings.

Additionally, wet touch functionality – first introduced with the Pixel 9 series – should continue to improve, allowing users to interact with their phones, even when the display is wet, enhancing the overall user experience.

Performance

The most significant performance leap for the Pixel 10 series will come from the introduction of the company’s own Tensor G5 chip.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

According to a report from Business Korea, Google may be ditching Samsung and heading to TSMC to manufacture its own chipsets. This means that the Tensor G5 might be Google’s first fully in-house design built on TSMC’s 3nm process.

Android Authority also reports that Google is testing its upcoming Pixel 10 prototypes with a MediaTek modem, specifically the as-yet-unannounced T900 model.

This marks a potential shift from Samsung Exynos modems, which have been used in recent Pixel devices due to their integration with Google’s Tensors, which are customised versions of Samsung chipsets.

Details about the MediaTek T900 modem remain unknown, making it difficult to predict its performance or how it might stack up against Qualcomm’s offerings.

Speculation has arisen that Google might have chosen MediaTek due to potentially lower costs, a characteristic often attributed to MediaTek’s flagship chipsets.

However, the actual reasoning and implications of this choice will become clearer over time.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

What’s more, a report from China Times claims that the Tensor G5 chipset has entered the “taped-out” stage, which means the final version of the chip has been completed, and that it’s ready to enter the manufacturing stage.

This chip is expected to address the performance and heat management issues that plagued earlier Tensor chips, thanks to TSMC’s superior manufacturing process. The G5 is also expected to be significantly more efficient, enabling faster processing without overheating during tasks like gaming, video recording, or multitasking.