New Google phones hit the street sporting better cameras, faster processor and AI smarts
By Tim Biggs
Google has unveiled its latest line-up of Pixel smartphones, which, as expected, focus on integrated AI features and photography, but also add new hardware across multiple models in an aggressive push to out-spec Apple and Samsung.
The company has introduced four Pixel 10 models, all powered by a new Tensor 5 chip that it said had a 60 per cent more powerful AI processor. Google has positioned the phones as the ultimate way to interact with its AI assistant Gemini, which you can talk to in two-way conversations, share your screen with or send images, videos and links to get answers to your questions. Gemini can even overlay graphics onto the view from your camera to point things out to you.
The standard Pixel 10 now has a telephoto lens, and all the new phones have magnetic Qi2 charging.
But Google has also debuted some non-Gemini AI features coming exclusively (for now) to Pixel 10.
Magic Cue is a system-wide tool designed to make proactive suggestions based on how you’re using your phone, and what the device knows about you. It’s a bit like an expanded version of the suggested replies in the Messages app.
An example showed a message between friends about upcoming flights. A Magic Cue prompt appeared offering to dial the number for the airline’s customer service. Once the call was placed, another prompt appeared which had grabbed the reservation info from the user’s email so they could read it out. Google said users could control which information sources Magic Cue could access.
Google announced three new phones which will arrive in Australia on August 28. The new folding phone, earbuds and watches will follow on September 9.
There are also new AI tools for photography. Camera Coach makes suggestions to improve your photos, like telling you to change modes, guiding you to a better position or more attractive framing, and giving composition tips. A new mode for the vision impaired can also describe what the camera sees out loud. The Pixel 10 phones maintain Google’s AI editing suite, but are also the first smartphones with C2PA credentials built in, meaning photos can be analysed to show their history of AI or non-AI edits.
Hardware upgrades
Physically the standard Pixel 10 is similar to last year’s model but with a brighter screen, bigger battery, upgraded speakers and an all-new camera system. Importantly it’s a three-lens setup with a 48MP wide lens, an ultrawide and a telephoto lens at 5x optical zoom. So while its starting price of $1350 is only $50 under the iPhone 16, Google pushed the Pixel 10 as an option for mobile photography fans who don’t want to pay for a Pro model just to get zoom.
The 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL have seen similar upgrades, with Google specifically pointing out the sound system and selfie camera (which now has autofocus) as much improved. The company said the screens are brighter but use less power compared with last year’s models, and the improved camera allows for super-stable video from the main lens. A custom AI model running locally on device is designed to produce clear results at 100x digital zoom. The Pro models start at $1700.
There’s also a new version of Google’s folding phone, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. But unlike Samsung’s latest, the Pixel has not lost any weight or bulk. Instead, Google points to several improvements that puts the device ahead of the Galaxy Z Fold7, including a brighter internal screen (3000 nits peak, versus 2600), and an IP68 rating meaning that it’s dust-proof (the Fold7 is only rated to keep out particles bigger than 1mm). The 10 Pro Fold starts at $2700.
The new version of the Pixel Fold is dustproof and has a gearless hinge.
All four phones support the magnetic Qi2 standard – meaning they have a metal ring inside for attaching to magnetic chargers, mounts and accessories – and they’re the first major Androids to do so. Qi2 is equivalent to Apple’s MagSafe system and the two are largely compatible with each other. Google is releasing its own line of chargers and accessories called Pixel Snap, and said its Pixel 10 Pro XL will work with the new 25-watt Qi2 charging standard for faster wireless charging.
The four phones also come with seven years of software and security updates, with the Pro models also coming with a year’s subscription to the Google AI Pro plan, which gives access to the latest and fastest models.
Watches and earbuds
Outside of phones, Google has also unveiled the Pixel Watch 4, which it claims is the biggest update that its line of wearables has ever seen. The new display is domed, rather than being a flat display under domed glass, meaning it fits more information. The battery is bigger – Google said it will last up to 40 hours – and charges faster.
The watch comes with a range of sensors for tracking fitness and health via Fitbit, but some of the new features aren’t quite ready for launch. Personal Health Coach, a feature that uses Gemini to answer your questions about health data and trends, is only confirmed for the US. Meanwhile, a feature that lets Gemini start listening for your request as soon as you raise your watch to your face is currently marked as “coming soon”.
The Pixel Watch 4 will start at $580 for the 41-millimetre version, and $680 for the 45-millimetre.
Google also introduced the Pixel Buds 2a, a set of $240 noise-cancelling earbuds. There are no new versions of its Pro buds, but updates are coming to Pixel Buds Pro 2 in September that would add adaptive audio to change the level of noise cancellation automatically, loud noise protection to prevent damage to your ears, and head gesture detection so you could answer or reject calls by nodding or shaking.
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