New Pixel units leaked years prematurely this week

It has been a prolific week for Pixel leaks. That is not all that noteworthy — we’re used to having a reasonably clear image of Google’s next-gen {hardware} earlier than it is formally introduced. What has been a bit uncommon is that the leaks we have seen this week are about not simply the upcoming {hardware} era, but in addition the one after that, and even a brand new Pixel pill that is apparently deliberate for 2027. The information evidently all originates in paperwork leaked from Google’s gChips division — possibly not nice information for that workforce, however lots to chew on for us.

Welcome to Compiler, your weekly digest of Google’s goings-on. I spend my days as Google Editor studying and writing about what Google’s as much as throughout Android, Pixel, and extra, and sum it up proper right here on this column. That is the Google information you might want to perceive this week.

Google’s gChips division has sprung a giant leak

Writing for Android Authority, prolific Pixel leaker Kamila Wojciechowska has been reporting on what she calls “an unprecedented leak from Google’s gChips division” this week. Wojciechowska’s revealed tales about subsequent 12 months’s Pixel 10; 2026’s Pixel 11 and Pixel Watch 5; and even a Pixel Pill evidently deliberate for launch in 2027.

The experiences inform us that the Tensor G5 and Tensor G6 are each nicely into growth, and that the 2026 Pixel Watch 5 could also be Google’s first wearable to run on customized silicon. The Tensor G5 will mark a shift in Google’s chip technique: whereas prior generations of Tensor chipset have been manufactured by Samsung, the G5 can be constructed by TSMC, the Taiwanese agency that makes the customized chipsets Apple makes use of in its telephones, tablets, and computer systems. We’re not anticipating night-and-day variations versus the Pixel 9’s Tensor G4 — however the leaks get extra attention-grabbing as they delve into among the extra tangible upgrades to anticipate out of Google’s new {hardware}.

With an improved TPU, the Tensor G5 anticipated to debut within the Pixel 10 will evidently enable for AI-based video enhancing. It most likely will not be a Pixel-branded Sora competitor, although; Wojciechowska speculates that “Submit-capture Generative AI-based Intuitive Video Enhancing for the Pictures app” described within the gChips leak will enable the Tensor G5 to “perceive” video content material and supply enhancing instruments based mostly on that understanding.

I can think about AI-based instruments for enhancing video high quality, changing backgrounds, or including results that dynamically react to video content material, however I would not anticipate a video model of Google Pictures’ reimagine instruments. The paperwork additionally point out a characteristic referred to as Magic Mirror, however Wojciechowska says there wasn’t sufficient context to trace at what that characteristic is perhaps. The Tensor G5 will reportedly assist 4K60 HDR video recording, a giant enchancment from the 4K30 HDR potential with Tensor G4.

The Pixel 11 might get under-display IR cameras that might let face unlock work at nighttime.

The Tensor G6-equipped Pixel 11, in the meantime, might assist 100x telephoto zoom by way of a mixture of {hardware} and software program enhancements. Wojciechowska says the leaked paperwork particularly reference a “next-gen” telephoto digital camera for the Pixel 11, besides, I am not holding my breath that 100x zoom utilizing lenses and sensors sufficiently small to slot in a smartphone will truly be usable, at the least not inside the subsequent few years. The 20x hybrid zoom out there on the Pixel 9 Professional is perhaps spectacular on a technical stage, however the outcomes are oversharpened and do not have a look at all pure, even in good lighting. I am not assured it is a drawback AI can remedy.

Google’s 2026 flagship telephone might additionally mark the return of superior face unlock performance to the Pixel sequence. Whereas the Pixel 9 and Pixel 8 sequence provide safe face unlock that can be utilized to unlock the system itself and as biometric authentication for many apps, it is restricted by the telephones’ front-facing cameras and solely works in well-lit conditions. The Pixel 11 might get under-display IR cameras that might let face unlock work at nighttime, just like the way it works on iPhones and 2020’s Pixel 4 sequence, however with out the ugly {hardware}.

The leaked paperwork do not say a lot in regards to the Pixel Watch 5’s customized Tensor chipset, apart from that it was at one level deliberate for a 2026 launch. It could additionally use some older CPU cores: an Arm Cortex-A78 and two Arm Cortex-A55 cores. That is common for wearable chipsets, although. The transfer to a customized chipset will ideally imply higher efficiency in particular areas together with battery life positive aspects, however we’ll have to attend to listen to extra to know what the Pixel Watch 5 is all about.

A 2027 Pixel Pill might include two USB-C ports

Leaked paperwork considered by Android Authority reportedly embody an attention-grabbing tidbit in regards to the Tensor G6: it will include assist for 2 USB-C ports for “pill solely use circumstances,” together with assist for DisplayPort output. AA individually reported that the Pixel Pill that’ll use the Tensor G6 is due out in 2027, once more citing leaked paperwork.

Taken with the in-development windowed mode out there on the present Pixel Pill in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, the addition of a second USB-C port that can be utilized for show output paints an image of a tool meant for at the least gentle productiveness work — though the ceiling for productiveness on Android tablets has as a lot to do with third-party software program because it does the OS itself. The pill is apparently deliberate for a 2027 launch, which might imply that we’re in for a milder Pixel Pill refresh someday within the interim — probably subsequent 12 months.

That is a lot to find out about units that will not be out there for years to come back, and most of it has me optimistic in regards to the near-term way forward for Google’s {hardware} lineup. From a high quality perspective, Pixel telephones really feel like they’ve entered a brand new period with the Pixel 9 sequence, and it is thrilling that Google seems poised to maintain the momentum, even when subsequent 12 months’s Pixel 10 solely provides low-key enhancements like 4K60 HDR video recording and enhanced on-device AI performance. I am actually keen to listen to extra about that new Pixel Pill; the first-gen mannequin will get loads proper, however there’s quite a lot of room to develop there, too.

Android 16 is formally coming early, Pixel 9a might keep $499 MSRP

Leaks about {hardware} slated for launch years sooner or later are actually thrilling, however Google’s acquired loads happening within the near-term, too: Google’s promoting refurbished Pixels, the Play Retailer looks like it is preparing for mixed-reality (XR) headsets, and Android 16 is seemingly proper across the nook. This is a rundown of the remainder of the week’s huge Google information.

Android 16 is launching within the second quarter of 2025. Google confirmed through the Android Builders Weblog that, as a part of a brand new launch cadence, Android can be getting a “main SDK launch” in 2Q2025. Given these correspond with new Android variations, that feels like a reasonably clear indication that we’ll be seeing Android 16 within the spring reasonably than the autumn.

The Pixel 9a might launch on the similar $499 MSRP because the Pixel 8a, which could simply change my entire outlook on the telephone. In accordance with reporting from Android Headlines, the 9a will launch in March for $499, sporting a 6.3″ show and a 5,000mAh battery. I have been railing in opposition to the Pixel A sequence currently; the 8a felt extremely redundant in comparison with the bottom Pixel 8, which is often out there on sale for about the identical value because the lower-end 8a (and infrequently even much less). But when the 9a does land and not using a generational value hike, it will be a reasonably compelling deal — 90% of what you get within the Pixel 9 for $300 much less sounds good to me.

Google’s promoting refurbished Pixel telephones. Now you can seize prior-generation Pixel telephones in licensed refurbished situation, with choices stretching again to the Pixel 6. It is an ideal initiative in concept, however the Pixel 6 is not assured Android updates after the present Android 15, so a refurbished mannequin does not precisely have legs. A refurb Pixel 6 additionally prices $339, which is not an ideal deal in comparison with the 8a on sale for $399 — a value it is hit a number of instances since launch and absolutely will once more round Black Friday. It beats tossing outdated telephones in a landfill, however should you’re purchasing refurbished, make sure you do your analysis.

The Play Retailer is prepping assist for XR headsets. In accordance with an APK teardown from Android Authority, Google’s working to assist mixed-reality headsets — the type that overlays info over your bodily environment — within the Play Retailer. There aren’t presently any Android-based mixed-reality headsets out there, however they’re within the works: an August report from Cnet particulars the work Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm have been doing to deliver the section to life on Android.

Gemini 2.0 is deliberate for December, based on The Verge. We do not have a lot element in regards to the replace, however I assume it will be a bit higher at quite a lot of issues Google expects we’ll be enthusiastic about (hooray, extra tokens!). Gemini 2.0 will evidently energy a set of options Google’s calling Undertaking Jarvis, which can be capable to carry out actions on the net in your behalf — reserving flights, for instance. AI remains to be too unreliable too typically for me to get enthusiastic about Gemini performing advanced duties that might doubtlessly value me 1000’s of {dollars}, however I’ve extra confidence Google will be capable to pull it off than AI upstart Rabbit was.

Russia has fined Google extra money than exists. On the again of a sequence of escalating fines, Google now owes Russian media entities 2 undecillion rubles, or roughly $20.6 decillion — an amount of cash that actually cannot be paid. The fines are the most recent growth in a saga stretching again to 2020. Russia is aware of Google cannot pay the fines; a Kremlin spokesperson mentioned the quantity is “crammed with symbolism.” Hit the hyperlink beneath for the complete story.