The Pixel 10’s rumored telephoto sensor has left me stumped

I’ve spent an unhealthy quantity of this yr considering loads about Google’s present Pixel lineup. Final week, I shared a few of these ideas forward of this month’s rumored Pixel 9a unveiling, writing how that cellphone can and will lastly shut down endless conversations surrounding the A-series’ worth. I got here out the opposite facet feeling fairly optimistic; in my eyes, Google has lastly cemented its lineup in a method that feels simply straightforward sufficient to clarify to anybody who walks right into a provider retailer.

So naturally, right this moment’s Pixel 10 leak threw a wrench in my whole argument. Whereas virtually all the pieces about our first spherical of renders for Google’s 2025 flagships factors in the direction of a spec-based refresh — with Tensor G5 being the factor that doubtless drives adoption — it is the plain Jane Pixel 10 that has eyebrows raised throughout the online. If these CAD-based renders from well-known leaker OnLeaks are appropriate, the Pixel 10 is about to get some kind of telephoto lens, erasing one of many fundamental variations between it and Google’s Professional-series of smartphones. And admittedly, I am unsure what to make of it.

The Pixel 10 might get a telephoto lens to match its Professional-siblings

Nevertheless it’ll come at a price

In case you missed the information, this is what’s up. This morning, OnLeaks and Android Headlines launched renders for the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Professional, and Pixel 10 Professional XL. By and enormous, these designs are nearly unchanged from their predecessors; even their respective dimensions are successfully similar. Definitely, the Pixel 10 sequence will sport some critical upgrades, and never simply because of Tensor G5. Brighter shows, longer-lasting batteries, and possibly even a reminiscence improve previous 16GB for extra on-device AI expertise all seem to be good guesses.

However going off these renders alone, just one factor actually caught out: an extra sensor on the common Pixel 10. OnLeaks adopted up his renders by clarifying that it appears to be both a telephoto or periscope lens of some variety, and certainly, these CAD-based photos do show a Pixel 9 Professional-esque periscope sensor hiding behind the digicam bar. That will characterize an enormous change to Google’s lineup, axing one of many few issues that at the moment has patrons paying $200 further for the Pixel 9 Professional.

I am simply unsure this makes a lot sense to me. Final yr, AP’s EIC James Peckham already discovered few causes to select up the Pixel 9 Professional over the cheaper Pixel 9, and delivering any type of telephoto sensor would see Google ditching a very powerful one. In a world the place the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Professional each supply fundamental, ultra-wide, and telephoto sensors, the record of variations between these two gadgets begins wanting fairly skinny.

Certain, there’s the RAM allotment. Google used 12GB within the common Pixel 9, however 16GB within the Pixel 9 Professional and Professional XL. I’d anticipate to see a distinction as soon as extra, even when reminiscence will increase for fashions throughout the board. The Pixel 9 makes use of Google’s Actua show, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional has a Tremendous Actua show. Little doubt the Pixel 9 Professional has the higher, brighter, sharper panel, however I believe each look good to my eye, and Tremendous Actua definitely is not well worth the $200 worth distinction by itself.

In any other case, I am struggling to think about variations. Google swaps the matte and shiny finishes between the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Professional, however I do not suppose anybody’s making their determination based mostly on that — particularly when a case covers all of it up anyway. And all that has me questioning what function the smaller Pixel 10 Professional would serve sandwiched between two smartphones that make an entire lot extra sense on paper.

A Pixel 10 telephoto lens makes some kind of sense

Simply do not anticipate the identical sensor throughout all three telephones

Okay, so what do I believe is occurring right here? Nicely, OnLeaks’ file speaks for itself; I positively suppose one thing is occurring with the Pixel 10’s digicam module, however there are extra potentialities at play right here than you would possibly suppose.

Let’s begin with the obvious: the Pixel 10 truly getting a telephoto lens. Though they’re pretty uncommon on something however the increased finish of flagships, you can discover each telephoto and periscope sensors on cheaper gadgets. Nothing’s Telephone 3a and Telephone 3a Professional, for instance, come geared up with a 2x telephoto sensor and a 3x periscope sensor, respectively. If the Pixel 10 is, actually, getting a zoom-based improve, I might search for one thing like both of those, a far cry from the 5x sensor seen on the Pixel 9 Professional and Professional XL.

However for my cash, Google has the perfect digital zoom within the sport proper now, so even a 2x telephoto sensor might assist enhance its telephoto sport on its starter flagship. That might enable the Pixel 10 to maneuver as much as, say, 16x Tremendous Res Zoom, fairly than being caught at simply 8x like the present Pixel 9.

The Pixel 9 Professional… or is it the Pixel 10?

Clearly, your guess is nearly as good as mine relating to the precise sensor, however I might be shocked to see the identical 5x periscope lens present up on the common Pixel 10, and never simply because it will render the Pixel 10 Professional redundant. Ben Schoon at 9to5Google put right this moment’s renders up towards one another and located that, whereas the Pixel 10 has room for an extra sensor in comparison with the Pixel 9, the lenses in these rumors are clearly situated in other places. It is an odd alignment, and suggests the 2 fashions will not share sensors.

I really feel fairly assured Google would not wish to step on its Professional-series sneakers, even when including any type of telephoto sensor most likely ensures some Pixel followers will keep on with the cheaper possibility. However since we’re doubtless 5 – 6 months out from the Pixel 10’s debut, why not spend a while dreaming up what else this house could possibly be used for! Listed here are my “greatest” theories:

• A LIDAR sensor. Google is going all in on Android XR this yr, thanks largely to its partnership with Samsung. A LiDAR sensor would reinforce the Pixel 10’s AR talents, nevertheless it additionally would not make a lot sense to seem right here and never on the Pixel 10 Professional or Professional XL. In different phrases, it is most likely not this.
• Nothing. Severely. Possibly Google simply enlarged the uncovered house on the Pixel 10’s digicam bar to make it look extra in step with the Pixel 10 Professional. Stranger issues have occurred, however I’ve to think about one thing goes into that house.
• A macro sensor. Truthfully, I simply suppose this might be humorous. Are you able to think about an $800 Pixel 10 with a ineffective 2MP macro sensor that solely exists to pad out the specs sheet? It even has an ultra-wide sensor able to macrophotography, and but, this being the ultimate final result of my limitless hypothesis would actually depart me laughing. Let’s do it, why not?

This far out from launch, your guess is nearly as good as mine

Besides my macro sensor guess. That one’s even higher

The extra I give it some thought, the extra I believe Google should be including a (doubtless) telephoto sensor to its beginning mannequin within the Pixel 10. That is excellent news for customers seeking to get probably the most bang for his or her buck, however that at all times comes on the danger of burning a higher-tier mannequin within the course of. My hope, in fact, is that Google follows this by delivering an excellent greater enhance to the digicam programs discovered on the Pixel 10 Professional and Professional XL. If I am getting bored with the best way the Pixel’s pictures look, delivering greater, higher sensors is one solution to win me again.