Google Pixel 10 Expected to Feature Camera Changes with Additional Sensor

The upcoming Google Pixel 10 series is anticipated to launch in the summer, with initial reports suggesting that the base model will introduce a telephoto lens, although this may come at the cost of a downgrade in sensor quality.

Since the release of the Pixel 6, Google has consistently followed a clear camera strategy within its Pixel lineup. The basic models, such as the recent Pixel 9, have been equipped with two rear cameras, while the Pro variants, including the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL, featured three sensors. However, the Pixel 10 appears set to change this approach by incorporating a telephoto camera alongside the existing wide and ultra-wide lenses.

Despite this shift, there seems to be a continuing distinction between the camera capabilities of the base and Pro models, according to reports from Android Authority. It is believed that the Pixel 10 will utilize lower-resolution sensors compared to its Pro counterparts.

Details suggest that the Pixel 10 may employ the same wide and ultra-wide cameras found in the Pixel 9a. While the wide-angle camera is expected to retain a 50-megapixel sensor, it will reportedly switch from the Samsung GNV sensor to the GN8 model, which is also used in the Pixel 9a.

Similarly, the ultra-wide camera, which has a resolution of 13 megapixels, will also mirror that of the Pixel 9a. The new telephoto camera is expected to feature an 11-megapixel sensor from Samsung, specifically the model number 3J1, which is also utilized in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

It's important to note that while sensor resolution and size are crucial factors in photography, they are not the sole determinants of image quality. Smaller sensors typically struggle under challenging lighting conditions compared to larger sensors with higher megapixel counts.

In contrast, the Pro models of the Pixel 10 are not expected to see any significant changes from the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL. The camera system for the Pixel 10 Pro (XL) will reportedly continue to include a 50-megapixel wide-angle lens, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens with macro capabilities, and a 48-megapixel telephoto lens offering up to 30x digital zoom.

However, there is no guarantee that the latest Pixel generation will maintain the same image quality as its predecessors. Beyond the sensors and software, the image processing capabilities of the device, particularly the image signal processor (ISP), play a pivotal role. Reports indicate that Google has developed a new ISP entirely in-house, which will be integrated into the Tensor G5 chip powering all Pixel 10 models.

As for the design of the forthcoming Pixel series, minimal changes are anticipated, with the new models likely to resemble the current generation.