Googlehas officially sent out invitationsto an August 20 keynote in New York City, where the company is expected to unveil its next-generation Pixel 10 smartphone lineup. In particular, we’re expecting the launch of the Pixel 10, the Pixel 10 Pro, the Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the book-style foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The Pixel Watch 4 is also on the release radar, though fewer details are known about this all-new smartwatch at this time.
As always,Pixel 10 series leaks and rumorshave been swirling for months, and we have a pretty good idea of what’s to come when these Android phones finally hit the keynote stage in a few short weeks. While exact device specifications are unconfirmed, Google has gone as faras to tease the physical designof the Pixel 10 itself, perhaps acknowledging that fighting against hardware leaks in this day and age is a losing battle.
Here are five Pixel 10 series rumors that have me excited about Google’s next-generation Android handsets, which are shaping up to be solid refinements over the company’s existingPixel 9 lineup.
I added MagSafe to my Pixel, and now I’m never going back
I decided to adhere a third-party MagSafe ring to my Google Pixel 9 Pro, and I never want to revert back to a pre-magnetic phone lifestyle ever again.
1A magnetic embrace of Qi2 technology
Could this be the beginning of a new Pixelsnap accessory ecosystem?
Since the release of theQi2 wireless chargingspecification back in 2023, I’ve been anxiously awaiting the day Android smartphones begin to embrace MagSafe-style magnetic inductive charging. To my surprise, hardware makers like Samsung and OnePlushave yet to implement the techdirectly into their latest flagship devices, instead opting to magnify their first-party cases.
It appears Google might finally be ready to embrace the magnetic life across its Pixel 10 series of devices, which could spearhead support for Qi2 across the broader Android hardware ecosystem. Google had a hand in creating the recently-releasedQi2 25W (version 2.2) specification, and rumors point towards slightly thicker and heavier Pixel 10 chassis across the board this time around. Put together, these factors paint an exciting picture for the prospect of built-in Qi2 magnets.
Rumors ofa first-party ‘Pixelsnap’ ecosystemof Qi2 accessories have also been swirling as of late, which could potentially serve as analogous to Apple’s popular MagSafe line. If this pans out (and I hope it does then we might be about to witness a boom in cross-device wireless charging compatibility across both the Apple and Google spheres of the smartphone industry.
If this Pixel 10 camera leak is true, I might be sold
Taking macro shots might be easier than ever on the Pixel 10 series.
2A telephoto zoom lens across all models
The base-level Pixel 10 is rumored to be getting the triple-rear-camera treatment
Rumors, leaked images, and CAD filesall point towards a major optical upgradefor this year’s base-level Pixel 10. For the first time ever, the non-Pro Pixel model is set to arrive on the scene with a triple rear camera array, with a dedicated telephoto zoom lens sitting alongside the existing main wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses. Physically speaking, it looks like this new sensor will result in a larger camera bar protrusion, bringing the Pixel 10 closer in line with the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL.
The addition of a telephoto lens on the base Pixel 10 Prois an exciting prospect– I’ve long felt that flagship-level smartphones ought to ship with the optical trifecta of wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto focal points as standard. For context, Samsung has been doing precisely this for several generations now, while Apple continues to reserve telephoto photography for its Pro line of iPhones.
On the other hand, the addition of a telephoto lens on the Pixel 10 might come with an unexpected catch. Leaks suggest that in exchange for the additional zoom sensor, the primary and ultra-wide camera might be downgraded when compared to last year’s base Pixel 9 (via Android Authority). More specifically, the Pixel 10 may ship with a similar sensor setup to the one found on the mid-range Pixel 9a, complete with the Sony IMX712 as opposed to the newer IMX 858. This move wouldn’t surprise me, as it would provide Google additional leverage when comparing the Pro and non-Pro Pixel 10 models side-by-side.
New Pixel 10 renders showcase triple camera array, striking color tones
A new set of exclusive Pixel 10 renders have been published by Android Headlines, corroborating previous reports of a triple camera and new colors.
3Some vibrant new colorways
The Pixel 10 series might pop with personality
I’m a big fan of colorful smartphones, and, this year, Google appears to be as well. The standard Pixel 10 is rumored to be arriving in obsidian (black), indigo (dark blue), frost (light blue), and limoncello (yellow). The indigo colorway is of particular note, as it closely resembles the really blue color of thefirst-generation Pixelfrom 2016.
While the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s colors are less clear at the moment, Google has officially teased an all-new hue for its Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL handsetson its digital storefront. Rumored to be called moonstone, this colorway is an attractive blend of silver and subtle blue, and it’s precisely the variant that has caught my eye the most.
More recently, new leaked promotional images fromEvan Blass on Xshowcase not only the 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL in moonstone, but also matching Pixel Buds and a Pixel Watch. In all likelihood, we’re probably looking at the next-generation Pixel Watch 4 and the existingPixel Buds Pro 2in a new colortone, but nothing is certain quite yet. I’m all for matching tech, and moonstone is shaping up to be an attractive aesthetic that I’d be happy to rock on the daily.
4A TSMC-tastic system on a chip
The Tensor G5 is rumored to be a major upgrade over last year’s G4
Google has been designing its own chipsets for some time now, starting with the original Tensor processor in thePixel 6 and 6 Pro. Over time, the Tensor line has evolved, but it continues to underperform when compared to the likes of high-end Qualcomm and Apple system on a chip (SoC) designs.With the Pixel 10 line, rumor has itthat the upcoming Tensor G5 processor will pack some serious computation grunt,perhaps nearing paritywith its competitors.
Most rumors are pointing to the Taiwanese Semiconductor Company (TSMC) as the manufacturer of the Tensor G5, which is likely to be built using the company’s advanced 3-nanometer fabrication process. This would mark the end of Google’s years-long reliance on Samsung Foundry for Tensor chip production, while providing a considerable performance bump worthy of a high-end Android smartphone going into 2026.
I tested out Android’s new desktop mode, and now I can’t wait for a Pixel PC
Your next laptop might run Android – here’s how I previewed Google’s new-and-improved desktop mode using nothing but my Pixel 9 Pro.
5Desktop mode on day one
The Pixel 10 series is likely to ship with Android 16 QPR1 out of the box
I recently tested outGoogle’s new desktop mode for Android, which the company is currently beta testing within Android 16’s Quarterly Platform Release (QPR) 1. A rudimentary desktop experience is already available on the Pixel 9 series, which supports display out via USB Type-C, but Googlehas come out on record stating its plansto transform Android into a Chrome OS-caliber desktop operating system in the future.
Android 16 QPR1 itself has been in testing for several weeks, and I expect it to ship alongside the Pixel 10 series right out of the box. In my experience, this desktop mode is relatively stable and performant, albeit missing some important features that are available in alternatives likeSamsung DeX. In any case, the one-two punch of a more powerful Tensor G5 processor and day-one support of external monitor support is incredibly compelling, and it makes the Pixel 10 line more computer-like than any previous generation Google handset.
4 moves that might help the Pixel 10 beat the iPhone 17
The launch of the Pixel 10 is fast approaching, and here are the steps Google should take to ensure it stands out.
