Google is getting ready to unveil its four new Pixel 10 phones tomorrow, and, unlike several of my Android Authority colleagues who think the phones aren’t exciting — even boring — I personally think there’s a lot to look forward to. I love that we’re getting built-in Qi2 charging, a new TSMC-made processor, larger batteries and faster charging, and proper tele zoom on the base Pixel 10. The 100x zoom on the Pro phones also feeds into my addiction to snap photos from very far away in sports stadiums, during concerts, or while traveling.
But even though I’ve been a Pixel woman since the Pixel 2XL and I had the 4XL, 5, 6 Pro, 7 Pro, 8 Pro, and 9 Pro XL as my phones for the last eight years, I’m still hesitant to recommend the Pixel 10 phones to anyone. Actually, maybe it’s because I have so much experience with Pixels that I’m hesitant to tell anyone to pre-order the phones tomorrow and I have five reasons to justify this reservation.
Are you pre-ordering a Pixel 10 phone? 163 votes Yes — the Pixel 10 6 % Yes — the Pixel 10 Pro 20 % Yes — the Pixel 10 Pro XL 25 % Yes — the Pixel 10 Pro Fold 4 % No, I am not interested/not pre-ordering 29 % I'm still undecided 15 %
You don’t want to be a guinea pig for Google’s first-gen processor
Sundar Pichai
We know the Pixel 10 series will ship with Google’s first in-house processor, the Tensor G5. Right now, all hints point to it being built on TSMC’s 3nm process, not the Exynos-inspired Samsung Foundry 4nm process. On paper, that should be a huge upgrade, but the reality of Google and Tensor has been questionable for a while now. Even worse, the reality of any first-gen component, device, or service made by Google is doubtful. Will it perform nearly as well as Qualcomm’s flagship processors, will it have good thermals or will it throttle, and will it stand the test of on-device AI’s high requirements?
There’s a reason why Google fans like me are always cautious about jumping on board a new Google product. The company’s track record is terrible, from the innovative but barely exploited Pixel 3 Soli sensor, to the bad first iterations of face unlock on the Pixel 4 before Google rolled out fixes, and the Pixel 6’s first Tensor modem connectivity that was only fixed with the Pixel 7. Let’s just say that whatever new innovation Google brings, it’s clearly perfectable, either with software or with hardware updates.
Plus, current Tensor G5 info doesn’t seem all that hopeful. Leaked benchmarks (which I don’t trust 100% because they can be faked) indicate an incremental upgrade, which still puts the Tensor G5 far behind Qualcomm. What we generally know about the CPU aligns with those benchmarks, too. And the going rumor is that Google has switched from ARM’s Mali GPUs to Imagination Technologies’ DXT, which still trails behind the best chips and has very minimal ray tracing support. I won’t know the whole picture until the phone is in my hand, but the signs point to a lukewarm upgrade overall, with all the inherent risks of a first-gen Google product. That’s why you should: Pre-order a Pixel 10 phone if you like taking more or less educated gambles. Google has been exercising its chip-making muscles for four generations, so even if this is its first in-house processor, it’s not a rookie attempt. TSMC’s expertise should help fix whatever gaps Google has.
if you like taking more or less educated gambles. Google has been exercising its chip-making muscles for four generations, so even if this is its first in-house processor, it’s not a rookie attempt. TSMC’s expertise should help fix whatever gaps Google has. Wait a couple of weeks before pre-ordering because you’ll see real benchmark results and proper deep dives into Tensor G5’s CPU and GPU performance, throttling, and thermal results, and make a more informed decision.
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