Google Pixel 10 Series: Leaks Point to Tensor G5 Powering a Refined Lineup, Including a Pro XL and Enhanced Foldable

As the summer heats up, so too does the anticipation for Google's next generation of flagship smartphones. Leaks and rumors are intensifying, painting a detailed picture of the upcoming Pixel 10 series, which is expected to debut in August 2025. This year, Google is reportedly expanding its premium offerings with a standard Pixel 10, the Pixel 10 Pro, a larger Pixel 10 Pro XL, and an improved foldable, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. While official details remain under wraps, the consensus among tipsters points to significant internal upgrades, particularly a new, more efficient Tensor chipset, alongside strategic refinements across the board.

Key Takeaway: The Google Pixel 10 series, expected in August 2025, will reportedly feature the new TSMC-manufactured Tensor G5 chip for significant performance and efficiency gains. The lineup is rumored to include a standard Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, a new Pixel 10 Pro XL with a larger battery, and a refined Pixel 10 Pro Fold with a more durable design, including a potential IP68 rating.

The Tensor G5: A Game-Changer from TSMC

The most talked-about upgrade for the entire Pixel 10 lineup is undoubtedly the Tensor G5 chipset. Marking a pivotal shift for Google, the Tensor G5 is rumored to be the first Tensor chip manufactured by TSMC using an advanced 3nm process, moving away from Samsung Foundry. This change is highly anticipated to address past concerns regarding power efficiency and thermal management that have occasionally plagued previous Pixel generations. The shift to TSMC is expected to bring substantial improvements in raw performance, sustained performance under load, and ultimately, better battery life across all models.

A More Diverse Lineup: From Compact to XL to Foldable

Leaks suggest Google is leaning into a multi-device strategy for its premium offerings:

Pixel 10: The standard model is expected to retain a familiar form factor, possibly with a 6.3-inch FHD+ Actua OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2000 nits HDR brightness. It's rumored to get a triple camera setup for the first time, though with potential sensor compromises to accommodate the new telephoto lens.
Pixel 10 Pro: This model is tipped to feature a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display with a 1-120Hz variable refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3000 nits. It will likely retain a camera hardware similar to its predecessor, with improvements driven by the Tensor G5's enhanced computational photography capabilities.
Pixel 10 Pro XL: The larger flagship, the Pro XL, is expected to sport a more expansive 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display with the same high refresh rate and brightness as the Pro. Crucially, it's rumored to pack the largest battery ever seen in a Pixel phone, a 5,200mAh cell, combined with faster 39W wired charging. Both Pro models are expected to feature a larger vapor chamber for improved cooling.
Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Google's latest foldable is slated for significant refinements. Leaks indicate a thinner hinge design and a potential IP68 dust and water resistance rating – a first for a mainstream foldable, addressing a major durability concern. The 8-inch folding display and 6.3-inch/6.4-inch cover display are expected to see brightness improvements, with the outer screen potentially hitting 2050 nits.

Camera Innovations and AI-Powered Features

While the Pixel series has long been synonymous with exceptional computational photography, camera hardware for the Pixel 10 is reportedly a mixed bag. The base Pixel 10 might see a smaller main (48MP Samsung GN8) and ultrawide (12MP/13MP Sony IMX712) sensor compared to the Pixel 9, despite gaining a 10.8MP 5x optical telephoto lens. The Pro models, however, are largely expected to maintain their existing high-resolution camera hardware (50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 5x telephoto) with software advancements taking center stage.

All Pixel 10 devices are poised to leverage the Tensor G5's advanced AI capabilities for groundbreaking computational photography and video features. Rumored additions include:

4K 60fps HDR video support across the series.
Gimbal-like image stabilization for video.
New AI-powered tools such as "Video Generative ML" for smarter video editing, "Speak-to-Tweak" for voice-controlled photo adjustments, and "Sketch-to-Image" for transforming drawings into visuals.
Enhanced macro photography modes utilizing both ultrawide and telephoto lenses.

Other Notable Specifications

Across the lineup, expect to see 12GB of RAM on the Pixel 10, with the Pro and Pro XL variants boasting up to 16GB of RAM. Storage options will range from 128GB up to 1TB, with the Pixel 10 Pro XL potentially starting at 256GB. All models are expected to support Qi2 wireless charging, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and continue to offer features like Satellite SOS (in the U.S.) and an optical fingerprint sensor. The devices will, of course, launch with Android 16, showcasing Google's latest software innovations and deeper Gemini AI integration.

Pricing and Availability

While specific pricing remains speculative, rumors suggest a potential price increase for the Pro variants, possibly due to the dropped 128GB base storage option on the Pro XL. The official announcement of the Pixel 10 series, including full specifications and pricing, is widely anticipated for a Made by Google event in August 2025, with market availability expected shortly thereafter.

As Google continues to refine its hardware and software synergy, the Pixel 10 series, particularly with the promising Tensor G5 chip, aims to deliver a compelling Android experience that further blurs the lines between smartphone and personal AI assistant.