Pixel 10 GPU update confirmed, but major improvements still missing

While the Pixel 10 had a noticeable improvement over the Pixel 9 series’ performance, that came at the cost of unstable sustained performance and higher temperatures. What’s more, numerous users were complaining about compatibility issues and stutters, detailing playback issues with GoPro and DJI footage, pointing out PowerVR’s troubled driver history.

But while this is a confirmation that things will get better, it’s not exactly what users wanted to hear. The Pixel 10 currently runs driver version 24.3, while Imagination released v25.1 back in August with Android 16 compatibility, Vulkan 1.4 support, and general performance boosts. Google hasn’t rolled out that update yet, and the company isn’t saying when (or if) it will.

It’s been a frustrating few months for Pixel 10 Owners, especially after benchmarks showed the Pixel 9 Pro outperforming the Pixel 10 Pro in Vulkan tests. On Reddit, complaints about GPU stability, battery drain, and video playback issues are increasingly common.

For example, while the CPU performance has improved over the Tensor G4, the graphics remain a full tier behind Samsung and Apple. Given the $999 price tag of the Pixel 10 Pro, that gap is getting increasingly hard to justify.Even with optimizations, the PowerVR chip inside the Pixel 10 Pro is roughly comparable to the Galaxy S23 in gaming performance, which came out two years ago. Driver updates could smooth things out, but they won’t change the hardware’s limitations.

What happens next? Possibly the December Pixel Feature Drop

If Google sticks to its usual schedule, the next Pixel Feature Drop arrives in December, and it’s the most likely opportunity for a larger driver refresh. That could be when we finally see the PowerVR v25.1 rollout, though Google’s vague promise leaves room for a less exciting outcome.

Until then, the Pixel 10’s GPU story remains what it has been since launch: fine for casual gaming, frustrating for power users, and still waiting for the big fix.

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