We’re still a few weeks away from Google’s official launch day for the Pixel 10 series, but as is tradition in the technology world, the phones have no secrets anymore. Even Google has already shown us the Pixel 10 series a few times, and many other rumors and tidbits have slipped through other cracks.
At face value, though, this seems like a minor upgrade across the board. The phones look pretty much the same as last year, and there are no significant camera changes, so I’ve been feeling a bit underwhelmed by what’s coming on August 20. But then I stopped and thought about all the crucial upgrades that should be part of this series, and honestly, I think we’re all underestimating this Pixel 10 launch. to jog your memory, here are the five most significant changes we expect to see and why, in my opinion, they matter a lot.
What are you most excited about with the Pixel 10 series? 91 votes The new 3nm TSMC-made Tensor G5 42 % Qi2 with built-in magnetic compatibility 14 % Zoom on the regular Pixel 10 5 % Larger batteries and faster charging 11 % Gemini Space and all the new Gemini features 12 % Something else (tell us in the comments) 0 % I am not excited about the Pixel 10 series 15 %
3nm TSMC-made Tensor G5 processor
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
We’ve been hearing about Google’s plans to launch its first fully-custom Tensor chip with the Pixel 10. Recent rumors, though, have been much more specific. We know the Pixel 10 series’ Tensor G5 should be designed from the ground up by Google and manufactured by TSMC on their 3nm process. That’s a massive departure from previous Tensor chips, which were inspired by Exynos and manufactured by Samsung on its 4nm Foundry process.
Why there’s so much to look forward to with the Tensor G5 Google has suffered the consequences of its Exynos bet since the shift to Tensor with the Pixel 6. Tensor processors are slower than their competitors, overheat (anecdotally), have countless modem and connectivity problems, and see massive power drains. There’s a reason why Samsung uses Qualcomm processors on its own flagship phones like the Galaxy S26 Ultra, and why Qualcomm switched from Samsung Foundry to TSMC after its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 issues and never looked back: Samsung Foundry’s 4nm process is bad news, yet all Tensor processors so far have been built on it.
I’m so excited to see what this switch to TSMC’s 3nm process will bring to Tensor G5. I want to see a faster phone that doesn’t overheat when I dare use it outside in the summer and that sips on the battery without leaving me dry by 8 PM. If the new Tensor G5 can achieve all of this, it’ll be the biggest Pixel 10 win in my books, and that alone would be worth the upgrade.
No lazy, case-required Qi2 here
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