Pixel 10 vs Pixel 9: oh, you only have two cameras?
The Pixel 10 makes a debut as the most all-rounded mini-flagship!
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Intro
Google’s Pixel 10 is official, and it looks like it might be the first “base model” Pixel that actually feels like a proper flagship, not just a slimmed-down version of its Pro sibling. And naturally, the first question we ask is: how far will it evolve beyond the Pixel 9?
Because, let’s be honest — Pixel 9 was good, even great in some ways. But if you looked a little closer, it was more refinement than reinvention. This year, though, things might be a bit different.
We’re talking new silicon. A proper, Google-designed chip — Tensor G5 — finally built on a cutting-edge 3nm node by TSMC. We’re talking new on-device AI features, which were teased at the recent I/O. And, for the first time ever, the base Pixel gets its own zoom camera.
So, let’s dive in. Did Google finally give us a base Pixel that doesn’t feel like a compromise?
Pixel 10 vs Pixel 9 differences:
| Google Pixel 10 | Google Pixel 9 |
|---|---|
| New 3 nm Tensor G5 chip | Google Tensor G4 4 nm |
| 6.3" display | 6.3" display |
| 3,000 nits peak brightness | 2,700 nits peak brightness |
| Triple camera setup (first time on base Pixel) | Dual camera - main and ultra-wide |
| Android 16 + a smarter AI assistant | Android 15 (updated timely to 16) |
| 30W wired charging | 27W wired charging |
| Qi2 15 W wireless charging Pixelsnap branding | 15 W wireless charging No magnets |
| 7 years of updates (Until 2032) | 7 years of updates (Until 2031) |
| $799 | $799 |
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
Still Pixel. Just more grown-up.
Not much changes here visually — you’ve still got the aluminum frame, the glass back, and yes, the camera bar. It’s still very “Pixel,” just subtly more refined. Think less dramatic redesign, more second-season polish.
Maybe the colors are a bit different — the Pixel 10 comes in Indigo, Frost, Lemongrass, and Obsidian, the Pixel 9 is available in Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, and Peony.
Size-wise, the Pixel 10 is slightly thicker and heavier than the Pixel 9. We are talking fractions of a millimeter and only a gram up. This can be attributed to the bigger battery and new Qi2 magnetic charging coil inside. Plus, a whole third camera, of course.
| Pixel 10 | Pixel 9 |
|---|---|
| Thickness 8.6 mm | Thickness 8.5 mm |
| Dimensions 152.8 x 72mm | Dimensions 152.8 x 72mm |
| Weight 204 grams | Weight 198 grams |
And while we’re here — don’t expect drastic changes to durability. Gorilla Glass Victus 2 stays. And unlike some others (you know who), we don’t have surprise “Action Buttons” showing up in strange places. There's an under-screen fingerprint scanner, and the convenient Face Unlock, which Google has enforced with AI to make extra secure, eventhough it only uses the selfie camera.
Also read:
Display Differences
Here’s where Pixel 10 stretches its legs a bit. Google is keeping the same 6.3-inch OLED panel as last year, with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, tall 20:9 ratio, but the brightness hops a couple of steps up — now at 3,000 nits peak, from 2,700 nits peak. Base SDR brightness also goes to 2,000 nits from 1,800 nits. Probably not a very perceivable improvement, but some extra headroom for the display to have to "go to" when under sunlight.
One thing we want to improve is the minimum brightness. While some rivals can drop to less than 1 nit for comfortable bedtime use, the Pixel 9 could only get as dim as 1.8 nits (which is still a bit too bright in a dark room). The Pixel 10 specs don't speak of this measurement, so sit tight until we get one in our hands!
The bezels haven't changed, so they are minimal, symmetrical, and non-distracting.
Performance and Software
Tensor grows up by shrinking the pathways down
Now this is the big one. After years of Google kind of staying a step behind and getting Samsung designs for its chips, the Tensor G5 is now a real, fully custom chip, manufactured by TSMC on a 3nm process. That’s a huge leap over the Tensor G4 — 34% CPU power, Google says.
Looking at our current benchmarks of the Snapdragon 8 Elite, 34% more power than the Tensor G4 still won't cut it to make it to the top, but it'll get close. Of course, the Tensors are about AI smarts first and foremost, and the Pixel 10 comes with those for sure.
Software-wise, Android 16 is on board, with a promise of 7 years of updates. The Pixel 9 is also eligible for Android 16, of course, and will be getting updates until 2031, while the Pixel 10 will live on until 2032. And with 12 GB of RAM standard (hello multitasking!), things should feel snappy. Storage will still top out at 256 GB, though — so no 512 GB here.
Camera
Three's a crowd? We don't mind!
Don't call me three-eyes!
The Pixel 10 is finally getting its own telephoto lens. That’s right — Google’s no longer gatekeeping zoom for the Pro.
But the sensors have now been shuffled around. The main camera has a 48 MP instead of a 50 MP sensor, there's a 13 MP ultra-wide instead of the 48 MP on the Pixel 9. But now, a 10.5 MP telephoto with 5x optical and 20x SuperRes zoom has also been added. Give some, take some?
A new Camera Coach on the Pixel 10 will also help you frame a photo better, supposedly. The demo on stage looked pretty cool — the phone was giving suggestions and explaining why that would look good in a photo. Essentially, it should kind of sort of teach you a bit about photography. We'll see how that works out and if it trickles down to the Pixel 9 via update.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the camera specs:
| Camera | Pixel 10 | Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Main | 48 MP, F1.7 | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide | 13 MP, F2.2 | 48 MP, F1.7 |
| Telephoto | 10.5 MP, 5x, F3.1 | --- |
| Selfie | 10.5 MP | 10.5 MP |
Battery Life and Charging
Solid results to be expected
The Pixel 10 series are all getting a bigger battery, the base model being no exception with a 4,970 mAh cell! That's up from 4,700 mAh on the Pixel 8 and all the more impressive when you consider the new Qi2 magnets, too, with not much width added.
That’s one of the biggest battery sizes on a smaller Android phone, and with a more efficient chip under the hood, endurance should only improve. Hang tight until we get to put it through our elaborate battery life test.
The Pixel 10 series now also all support Qi2 wireless charging with magnets built in the phone. Google calls it Pixelsnap and has an accessory ecosystem ready, with chargers and stands in tow. Unfortunately, only the Pixel 10 Pro XL hits 25 W wireless charging, the Pixel 10 still taps out at 15 W. It does juice up with 30 W on the wire, though. The Pixel 9 gets 27 W wired, 15 W wireless, so not much different.
Specs Comparison
Here's a quick overview of the Pixel 10 vs Pixel 9 specs:
| Pixel 10 * | Pixel 9 |
|---|---|
| Size, weight 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.6 mm 204 g | Size, weight 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm 198 g |
| Screen 6.3" OLED 120Hz | Screen 6.3" OLED 120Hz |
| Processor Google Tensor G5 3nm | Processor Google Tensor G4 4nm |
| Versions: 12/128GB 12/256GB LPDDR5X | Versions: 12/128GB 12/256GB LPDDR5X |
| Cameras: 48 MP main 13 MP ultra 10.8 MP telephoto 10.5 MP front | Cameras: 50 MP main 48 MP ultra - 10.5 MP front |
| Battery: 4,970 mAh | Battery: 4,700 mAh |
| Charging: USB-C 30W wired 15W Qi2 wireless | Charging: USB-C 25W wired 15W wireless |
Also read: Pixel 10 vs Pixel 8
Summary
I... am... complete!
Here’s the thing — Pixel 9 was good. But it always felt like it held something back. Pixel 10? That might be the first base model that doesn’t.
You get the upgraded custom chip. The extra camera versatility. The high-refresh screen. A smarter, more cohesive on-device AI experience than ever before. And a bigger battery with Qi2 wireless charging.
If you’re on a Pixel 9 and happy? No rush to upgrade. But if you’re still holding onto a 7 or 8 — or thinking of finally ditching the Pro price tags — this might just be the one to go for.
This isn’t just a Pixel 9 with new wallpaper. It’s a Pixel that’s ready to stand on its own.
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