Google Pixel 10 Series Camera Specs Leak: Upgrades and Downgrades

• The upcoming Google Pixel 10 base model will feature a significant camera upgrade with the inclusion of a telephoto lens for the first time, a feature previously exclusive to Pro models.

• However, this improvement comes at the cost of downgraded main and ultrawide cameras in the Pixel 10, using components from the Pixel 9a (Samsung GN8 and Sony IMX712 sensors respectively), resulting in potentially lower performance, especially in low-light conditions.

• In contrast, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL models retain the same camera setup as their predecessors, the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold receives only a minor primary camera sensor change.

• The Pixel 10's new telephoto lens is the 11MP Samsung 3J1, previously seen in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and its selfie camera remains unchanged from the previous generation.

• This strategic differentiation between the base and Pro models, with the Pixel 10 essentially being a Pixel 9a with a telephoto lens, may make the Pixel 10 a less appealing option compared to the Pixel 9a for some users, especially considering the potential price increase.

The upcoming Google Pixel 10 series is notable for significant camera upgrades in its base model, the Pixel 10, which will feature a telephoto lens for the first time. However, this addition comes at the expense of downgrading the main and ultrawide cameras to components previously used in the Pixel 9a, which raises concerns about overall camera performance. 

The primary sensor in the Pixel 10 has been replaced with a smaller Samsung GN8 sensor, while the ultrawide lens is now a Sony IMX712, both of which are less capable than their predecessors in previous models. This change moves the base Pixel 10 away from the usual camera configuration where the Pro models only had additional telephoto capabilities, indicating a shift in Google's strategy to differentiate between the basic and Pro models.

The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL will retain their camera configurations from last year’s Pixel 9 Pro, meaning they won’t see changes in the hardware. Their primary sensors remain the larger Samsung GNV, while the telephoto and ultrawide lenses also stay the same. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold sees only minor changes, swapping the main sensor to a Samsung GN8.

Overall, while the Pixel 10 represents an evolution in adding a telephoto option to its lineup, it does so by compromising on the quality of core lenses, shifting closer in specifications to the Pixel 9a than what is expected from an upgraded version. The key question remains whether the new telephoto feature justifies these compromises, especially if Google maintains a similar price point of $799 as last year. The long-term implications of these changes and their market reception will become clearer following the series' release.

Take a closer look at the graphics below. We compiled all the sensor changes to the entire Pixel 10 lineup as well as previous sensors used in last pixel generations.