Summary
- The core Pixel 10 lineup will get upgrades like Tensor G5 chips, and the addition of a telephoto camera to the base model.
- The Pixel 10 Pro Fold may be the first foldable smartphone with a truly dust-resistant IP68 rating.
- Expect to see a Pixel Watch 4 at the event, as well as the Pixel Buds 2a, and possibly new Gemini and Google Nest rollouts.
It’s funny to think that at one time, Google was invested in product secrecy as much as Apple is with every iPhone announcement. That was reasonable — until leaks of upcoming Pixel phones became so widespread that there was almost no point in holding an event. In recent times Google seems to have admitted defeat, issuing teaser announcements ahead of major product showcases. The Pixel 10 is a known quantity — it’s just the details that need to be confirmed.
The curtain on that info is slated to rise during a “Made by Google” event on Wednesday, August 20 at 1pm ET/10am PT. In the meantime, I’ve gathered together all the most credible rumors so far, including news about the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. There’s also word that we’ll be seeing other products announced. For a teaser of my own, let’s say that you might be pretty happy if you’re into fitness.
The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL
The stars of the show
In some ways, the bulk of the Pixel lineup isn’t expected to change much. The Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro should each feature a 6.3-inch display, with the Pixel 10 Pro XL bumping you up to 6.8-inches. Through both many leaks and official product images, we know that aesthetics will stay similar to the Pixel 9 series.
Things get a little more interesting under the surface. All of the phones are expected to upgrade to Google’s new Tensor G5 processor, which should be developed in-house, and manufactured using a 3nm TSMC process. Traditionally, Google has partnered with Samsung, so the hope is that the G5 may be better optimized for Pixel 10’s needs — or at least more power-efficient, since the G4 has a 4nm architecture. One of Apple’s greatest advantages with the iPhone is that its processors are custom-tailored, even eliminating the need for as much RAM as many Android phones have.
The base Pixel 10 should include a 10.8-megapixel telephoto camera in addition to 48-megapixel wide and 13-megapixel ultra-wide units. In the past, Google has forced buyers to upgrade to a Pro for a telephoto, despite the fact that it’s usually preferable to get closer to a subject than push it away. Indeed, the move could put pressure on Apple, which is expected to stick to a wide/ultra-wide combo for the standard iPhone 17. There will still be reasons to upgrade to a Pixel 10 Pro or Pro XL, of course — those devices should get 48-megapixel telephotos, sitting next to 50-megapixel wide and 48-megapixel ultra-wide cameras.
The base Pixel 10 should include a 10.8-megapixel telephoto camera in addition to 48-megapixel wide and 13-megapixel ultra-wide units.
For some people, the biggest change may be the addition of Qi2 charging, which is based on Apple’s MagSafe and substantially faster than regular Qi. To support that Google is allegedly introducing a series of ” Pixelsnap” accessories, including a case. Magnets improve the efficiency of wireless charging by guaranteeing perfect alignment. As a bonus, they enable accessories like attachable wallets and battery packs, and more elegant charging stands. You should even be able to use most MagSafe products with a Pixel, assuming a difference in phone dimensions doesn’t get in the way.
As for prices, Android Headlines suggests that the Pixel 10 will start at $799 for 128GB. The 10 Pro should slot in at $999, and the 10 Pro XL at $1,199, with the XL defaulting to 256GB of storage. You won’t be able to get any more space than that on the base phone, but both the Pro and Pro XL should have 512GB and 1TB configurations. A 1TB Pro XL may set you back $1,549.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold
La crème de la crème
Like its siblings, the 10 Pro Fold should be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, gaining upgrades like a Tensor G5 chip, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a telephoto with 5x optical zoom. Arguably those features should’ve been in the 9 Pro Fold, given that device’s $1,800 sticker price.
The marquee change may actually be durability. Google is rumored to be improving the strength of the hinge, and according to WinFuture, introducing IP68 water and dust resistance. To date, no foldable has had better dust resistance than the IP48 on Samsung’s Z Fold and Z Flip — and the 9 Pro Fold has no dust rating whatsoever. With the 10 Pro Fold, it may finally be safe to take a foldable to the beach or a dusty construction site, although there’s no word on how tough the device’s internal and external screens will be.
The Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a
Giving the people what they want
Not much is known about the Pixel Watch 4, but it could become slightly thicker than its predecessor in the name of extended battery life. Android Headlines adds that it might get continuous blood oxygen (SpO2) monitoring, instead of just recording that data overnight. This is a win for runners, weightlifters, and other athletic types, as midday SpO2 levels are a sign of cardiovascular fitness — the closer they are to 100%, the better. For a lifter like myself, more oxygen saturation can mean squeezing out one more rep on a difficult set.
Another rumored enhancement is some sort of emergency satellite communication, as on the forthcoming Apple Watch Ultra 3. The Pixel Watch 4 should be considerably cheaper, however, starting at $350 versus the Ultra 3’s $800, assuming tariffs don’t push prices upward from the last generation.
The Pixel Buds 2a, meanwhile, are Google’s new budget earbuds. According to well-known leaker Evan Blass, Google is planning to add active noise cancellation to the A series for the first time, if not as good as what you’ll find on the Pixel Buds Pro 2. The 2a will lack some other Pro features too, namely Conversation Detection, head-tracked spatial audio, and wireless charging for the case. You should expect reasonable battery life, thankfully — that’s rumored to be 7 hours of in-ear time, and 20 hours in total via the case.
Other potential surprises
The AI drumbeat bangs on
It wouldn’t be a Google event if there wasn’t some sort of AI tie-in, and another Android Headlines claim is that Gemini will gain a “Camera Coach” for Pixel devices, offering tips on things like angles and lighting to produce better photos. There may even be conversational photo editing, letting you do things like tweak exposure or remove objects with simple voice commands. That could be very impressive if it works reliably — although I’d stick to finger gestures or Photoshop when precision matters.
Google is also long overdue to update most of the Google Nest smart home lineup, particularly its speakers and displays. The last major refresh in that area was the second-generation Nest Hub, which shipped in 2021. Earlier in 2025, the company promised to continue putting out new products, and the Made by Google event would be a logical time to reveal anything if it’s going to ship before the end of 2025. There’s no word on specific devices, however.
