Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap or a Disappointing Stumble?

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap or a Disappointing Stumble?

Google Pixel update leaks early

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap Verizon has unintentionally revealed the next Google Pixel update ahead of schedule through a support page, detailing the upcoming improvements for the Google Pixel 9 lineup as well as older models like the Pixel 6, 7, and 8. Originally noticed by 9to5Google, the update was supposed to launch on November 5 but has yet to go live. The release, expected soon under version AP3A.241105.008, brings several enhancements to Pixel 9 devices:

Key Fixes and Improvements:

– Security: Latest Android security patches for your device.

– Bluetooth: Fixes for Bluetooth range issues in certain scenarios.

– Camera: Corrects a tilt problem when zooming between cameras under certain conditions.

– Sensors: Fixes an issue where Adaptive Brightness occasionally failed to activate.

– Touch: Addresses a glitch with the keyboard dismiss button in specific cases.

– User Interface: General performance and stability improvements in UI transitions and animations.

– Display & Graphics: Resolves an issue with flashing white dots under certain conditions.

For the Pixel 6, 7, and 8 models, the update version AP3A.241105.007 includes fewer stability fixes, focusing on Android security patches and general UI performance improvements.

While this update may not be as significant as the recent Android 15 release, it’s a welcome refinement for Pixel users facing these specific issues. Meanwhile, Samsung users are still awaiting the complete Android 15 rollout, though a One UI 7 beta with new icon styles, live lock screen widgets, and additional tools is expected to arrive later this month, with a full release planned for early 2025.

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap A new report from Japan today suggests estimated production costs (Bill of Materials or BOM) for Google’s Pixel 9 Pro and Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro. The BOM represents the approximate cost of each smartphone’s components, excluding research, development, and marketing expenses.

According to the report, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro is significantly cheaper to manufacture, with parts costing around $406, compared to the iPhone 16 Pro’s estimated BOM of $568. This marks an 11% decrease in BOM from the Pixel 8 Pro to the Pixel 9 Pro, but this comparison is a bit misleading, as the Pixel 8 Pro’s direct successor is actually the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The smaller Pixel 9 Pro likely has reduced costs due to its smaller display and battery.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro’s BOM has risen by 6% compared to the previous model. Its chipset costs an estimated $135, the display $110, and the camera components $91. For the Pixel, the SoC is around $80, the display $75, and the camera components total $61.

Despite these cost differences, both the Pixel 9 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro are priced the same, starting at $999.

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap In recent years, Apple and Google’s flagship smartphones have steadily increased in price, with most now surpassing Rs 1 lakh. Both companies attribute these price hikes to inflation and the rising costs of manufacturing advanced chips. However, a new report from Nikkei offers insight into the actual manufacturing costs of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro.

The report reveals that the Pixel 9 Pro’s bill of materials (BOM) — the cost of its individual components — is about $406 (around Rs 34,210), while the iPhone 16 Pro’s BOM is estimated at $568 (roughly Rs 47,860). The Pixel 9 Pro’s BOM is 11% lower than the Pixel 8 Pro’s, though this comparison is somewhat skewed since the Pixel 9 Pro has a smaller display and battery. Specifically, the Pixel’s Tensor G4 chip costs approximately $80 (Rs 6,800), while the Samsung M14 display and camera components are priced at $75 (Rs 6,300) and $61 (Rs 5,100) respectively.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 Pro’s BOM is 6% higher than the iPhone 15 Pro’s. Apple reportedly spends about $135 (Rs 11,400) on the A18 Pro chip, while the display and camera are estimated at $110 (Rs 9,300) and $91 (Rs 7,700), respectively.

Although these figures suggest Apple and Google sell their “Pro” models at nearly twice the manufacturing cost, it’s important to remember these estimates don’t cover additional expenses like shipping, distribution, R&D, and marketing, all of which significantly influence the final retail price.

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap A new update to the Pixel Screenshots app is rolling out, introducing several UI adjustments, including the removal of the “All screenshots” view.

Now, the Pixel Screenshots homepage displays two carousels for Reminders and Collections, followed by a grid of all your captures. Previously, a dedicated “All screenshots” page allowed users to adjust grid density, but with version 0.24.373.08, grid density options are now accessible directly on the main screen. Users can choose between four or three columns of square thumbnails, or two rectangular previews that offer a quick glance at each capture.

This change simplifies the layout by removing the redundant All screenshots view.

Additionally, users can now long-press on the homepage to select multiple images, making it easier to quickly share, add to collections, or delete them.

In the Collections view, a floating action button (FAB) replaces the “Select screenshots” option, while the overflow menu now contains options to “Edit title” and “Delete.” The update also adds shortcuts for “Take a photo” and “Add image” on the homescreen, so users no longer need to navigate through the FAB.

When viewing individual screenshots, long transcriptions or descriptions are now truncated, making it easier to access fields like “Add a note” or “Add to collection” without excessive scrolling. As part of Google’s October Feature Drop, users can also use voice commands that include “in Screenshots” to locate saved content on their device.

The Pixel Screenshots 0.24.373.08 update is now available via the Play Store.

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap Google has yet to release the November 2024 update for Pixel devices, but Verizon has provided early details, highlighting a substantial update for the Pixel 9 series.

According to Verizon, the update was expected to roll out on November 5, 2024, a typical Monday release day, but Google has not confirmed it yet. Android 15 was released in mid-October.

The primary updates apply to the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold (version AP3A.241105.008) and include:

– Security: The latest Android security patches.

– Bluetooth: Fix for Bluetooth range issues in specific situations.

– Camera: Fix for tilt issues when zooming between cameras.

– Sensors: Fix for occasional failures in activating Adaptive brightness.

– Touch: Fix for an issue with the keyboard dismiss button in certain cases.

– User Interface: Overall performance and stability improvements for UI transitions and animations.

– Display & Graphics: Fix for flashing white dots in specific scenarios.

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap For the Pixel 6, 7, and 8 series, the November 2024 update (version AP3A.241105.007) includes just two changes:

– The latest Android security patches.

– General performance and stability improvements in UI transitions and animations.

A release from Google is anticipated sometime this week.

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap For nearly a decade, Google’s Pixel phones have been a favorite among Android fans, though their strong online following hasn’t always matched real-world popularity. Despite steady growth, Google sold just 10 million Pixel units in 2023, its best year yet, while Apple moved close to 235 million iPhones, with Samsung not far behind.

Recent weeks, however, suggest a turning point for Google’s smartphone sales. Following a record-breaking quarter after the Pixel 9 launch, multiple reports show positive signs for Google’s Android device. While specific sales numbers weren’t disclosed in Google’s Q3 2024 earnings call, the company confirmed “strong demand” for the Pixel 9 series. Counterpoint Research reported that Q3 2024 saw more Pixel sales than any previous quarter, marking a high point for the lineup.

This week, StatCounter offered further insight, showing Pixel users now make up 12.9% of the North American market, rising to nearly 15% in the U.S. In another Counterpoint report, the Pixel 9 Pro XL even ranked in the top 10 premium U.S. smartphones. While this growth is notable, the Pixel series still lags far behind Apple and Samsung; Google remains in the “other” category in many third-party reports, and its 2024 figures will likely still be small in comparison.

Apple, for instance, holds 54% of the U.S. market, even with a slight year-over-year decline. And while StatCounter’s numbers appear promising, they need to be replicated over multiple quarters for a clearer trend.

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap The smartphone market today has also narrowed significantly, with fewer brands for U.S. consumers to choose from. LG and HTC have largely exited, and brands like OnePlus are rarely seen in major carriers like Verizon or AT&T, leaving Samsung and Google as the primary Android options. This environment may benefit Google, as it aims to challenge Apple’s dominance in North America with the Pixel 9’s more iPhone-like design and refined software experience.

Apple’s tight ecosystem has long secured its popularity, especially with younger users, making Google’s challenge daunting. While the recent success of the Pixel 9 won’t likely shift iOS from its top position, having a strong “third option” like the Pixel series could bring fresh competition and innovation to the market.

Now is an opportune time for Google to entice iPhone users to switch, with Android 15 proving the platform’s stability and Google’s AI features clearly ahead of other mobile platforms. iOS 18, by contrast, has seen some backlash over bugs, potentially damaging Apple’s reputation for reliability (a topic soon to be covered in my iPhone 16 Pro Max review).

To maintain this momentum, Google must stay focused. The rumored early launch of the Pixel 9a could boost sales in early 2025, particularly if it stays near the $500 mark. An earlier Pixel 10 release ahead of the next iPhone, combined with Google’s extensive marketing, could attract iOS users interested in a change. A delayed or buggy launch, however, could undermine Google’s progress.

As we approach year-end, it’ll be interesting to see how the Pixel 9 series performs, with final numbers likely available in early 2025. While the Pixel 9 Pro might not yet impact iPhone sales directly, this momentum is what Google needs to solidify itself as a major competitor alongside Samsung and Apple. Ensuring a seamless Pixel experience will be crucial — only time will tell how well Google capitalizes on this opportunity.

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap Google’s Pixel series has long been a favorite among Android fans, and after using the Pixel 9 Pro, I’m convinced it’s Google’s best phone yet. The design is sleek, the performance strong, the camera excellent, and Android 15 is smoother than any previous version. Despite Google’s heavy emphasis on AI features in its marketing, my experience with AI on the device has been minimal.

I tested Gemini Live but haven’t felt the need to use it regularly. While the camera app offers AI tools to enhance photos, I prefer manual adjustments to capture great shots. Mostly, I’ve used my Pixel 9 Pro like most people do: to stay connected, listen to music, and stay organized.

If it were up to tech giants like Google and Apple, AI would assist with nearly everything on a smartphone. Tasks like messaging, photography, and even email would be handed over to AI. But in conversations with other “power users,” few see AI as essential. In fact, improvements to phones that most users would appreciate include better app sandboxing, higher-quality audio, enhanced camera stabilization, more consistent support across brands, and better cross-platform integration.

Most people, however, just want a reliable, user-friendly, affordable device. AI integration comes with hidden costs, too. For instance, Gemini Advanced is free for a year on new Pixel phones, but afterward, it will become a paid service. AI also requires considerable processing power, often drawing on energy-intensive data centers. To make AI processing smoother, phones would need more powerful chips, additional RAM, and efficient cooling—likely raising prices and adding complexity.

While manufacturers might find AI trendy, it’s questionable whether the average consumer finds it indispensable. The global smartphone market remains enormous, projected to reach $493 billion by the end of 2024 without relying on AI. Though AI has its place in specialized fields, as a selling point for smartphones, it may be less relevant than companies think. What users really need are reliable, secure phones that work seamlessly without breaking the bank.

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap Recent leaks about Google’s upcoming Tensor G5 processor indicate it may offer only modest upgrades over its predecessor, following a similar trend seen in earlier Tensor chips like the G3 and G4, which struggled to deliver major performance improvements.

A device speculated to contain the Tensor G5, codenamed “Frankel,” recently appeared on Geekbench. This chip reportedly has two efficiency cores clocked at 2.44 GHz, five cores at 2.86 GHz, and one prime core at 3.40 GHz. Confusion around the core structure persists, as another leaked codename, “Laguna,” surfaced with a 5-core setup that matches the Geekbench configuration.

Speculation suggests this could be an alpha version of the Tensor G5, explaining the relatively low scores on Geekbench compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s G4-powered benchmark results.

The Tensor G5 is expected to be manufactured using TSMC’s 3nm process, marking a switch from Samsung’s fabrication. Additionally, Imagination Technologies’ new PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU is anticipated, bringing ray tracing and GPU virtualization, though reports indicate the G5’s GPU performance still trails leading processors like the Apple A18 Pro and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite by about two generations.

The leaked Geekbench scores highlight that, while improvements are present, Google’s Tensor series may not yet compete with top-performing processors. The Tensor G5 device operates on Android 15, with the Pixel 10 series projected to launch with Android 16 by mid-2025.

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap Google’s Pixel phones have gained a devoted following, and it seems the Pixel 10 is on track for a 2025 launch, expected to showcase Google’s latest in-house processor, the Tensor G5. This chip, finalized by July and set to be manufactured by TSMC using the advanced second-generation 3nm N3E process, aims to address some of the performance issues that held back previous Pixels, which used modified Exynos chips.

Google’s shift to TSMC signals a big move away from Samsung’s chips, which faced criticism for lower battery life and performance. This decision raises expectations that the G5 could finally put the Pixel closer to competitors like Qualcomm and Apple in terms of power and efficiency.

Despite high hopes, early benchmark leaks are suggesting that the Tensor G5 may fall short of expectations. On Geekbench, a supposed Pixel 10 prototype (codenamed “Frankel”) scored 1,323 in single-core and 4,004 in multi-core—results that fall short of the Pixel 9’s performance, which had scores of 1,800 and 4,573, respectively. This modest improvement could disappoint those expecting the G5 to deliver a significant performance boost.

Google’s Pixel 10: A Promising Leap Compared to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, which promises a 45% CPU boost and a 44% improvement in efficiency, the Tensor G5’s architecture appears more modest. The G5 is expected to feature a Cortex-X4 core at 3.40GHz, five Cortex-A725 cores at 2.86GHz, and two Cortex-A520 cores at 2.44GHz—a slight upgrade from the G4’s configuration.

While raw speed may still lag behind Apple and Qualcomm, the G5 is rumored to have an upgraded GPU, which could make the Pixel 10 a better gaming device. Even if it doesn’t match competitors’ peak speeds, improvements in battery life and cooling could still appeal to mobile gamers.

However, with a rumored $100 annual price hike (the Pixel 9 starts at $799, the Pixel 8 was $699, and the Pixel 6 launched at $599), some may prefer devices like Snapdragon 8 Elite phones or the latest iPhone Pro Max. While the Pixel 10 may offer a solid gaming experience, it might not be enough to sway users prioritizing both performance and speed.