Ahead of Pixel 10 launch, here is a Wishlist: Will Google do, will it not?

India Today

a day ago

The Google Pixel 10 series is set to arrive on August 20. However, thanks to the leaks left, right and centre, we already have a pretty good idea of what's to come. There's talk of the Tensor G5 chipset built by TSMC. The colour options across the lineup are said to stand out from the usual Pixel palette. The standard Pixel 10 is even rumoured to feature a telephoto camera for the first time. In a nutshell, there's plenty to look forward to. Yet, for all the rumoured changes, there are still things many Pixel fans wish Google would do to make the 10th generation feel truly special. A wishlist, if you will. Some of these ideas have little to no chance of becoming reality, but hey, it doesn't hurt to imagine. Here are ten things that would make the Pixel 10 series even more complete.advertisementA Pixel that's actually compactLet's face it, Google has never quite nailed the 'compact flagship' formula. The Pixel 9, with its 6.3-inch display and 198g weight, is only small when compared to other Android devices, but next to the iPhone 16's 6.1-inch, 170g frame, or the Galaxy S25's 6.2-inch, 162g built, it suddenly feels bulky. A true compact Pixel, maybe closer in size and weight to those rivals, would be fantastic. Sadly, early leaks suggest the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro will stick to the same dimensions as the Pixel 9.More battery and faster chargingIf Google is going to keep the Pixel on the heavier side, then why not take advantage of the extra space and give it a bigger battery? Rumours suggest the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro will have batteries in the range of 4,700mAh to 4,800mAh, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL is rumoured to have a 5,050mAh battery. Not bad, but still not jaw-dropping. For instance, the Vivo X200 FE is a similarly sized phone, but with a massive 6,500mAh battery and 90W fast charging. In contrast, the Pixel 10 series is rumoured to top out at 40W wired charging. It's decent, but not the fastest.Qi2 wireless charging
One upgrade that feels overdue is Qi2 wireless charging. The Pixel 9 lineup skipped it entirely, even though Qi2 has been around since 2023 and brings magnetic alignment for better charging speeds and accessories. Apple has had its MagSafe system since 2020, and now Android phones like Samsung's Galaxy S25 are at least 'Qi2 ready', even if not fully embracing the magnetic functionality. For the Pixel 10, adding Qi2 would not only mean more reliable wireless charging, but also access to a growing ecosystem of magnetic grips, wallets, stands and mounts.Performance on par with rivalsThis year's Tensor G5 chip is said to be built by TSMC instead of Samsung, and that change alone gives hope. TSMC's track record with Apple and Qualcomm is stellar, and the expectation is that Google's chip will finally be more efficient and less prone to throttling. Better graphics, snappy user experience, and improved AI capabilities are all likely on the cards. The question is whether the Pixel 10 can truly match the performance of Snapdragon-powered rivals, something Google has struggled with in past generations.Better privacy controlsOne complaint that lingers across Pixel phones is the limited flexibility in privacy and security features. OnePlus, Oppo, and Vivo devices let you hide apps, lock them with different passwords, and even access them through clever shortcuts like dialling a simple code. In comparison, Google's Private Space feels heavy-handed, as it creates a whole separate profile rather than simply letting you hide photos, apps, or files within your main setup. It would be refreshing to see Google introduce more user-friendly privacy options in the Pixel 10.A dedicated camera buttonadvertisementGiven the Pixel's reputation as a camera-first phone, a physical camera button feels like a no-brainer. Sony Xperia devices have had it for years, and Apple has added something similar with the iPhone 16. Yet, leaks suggest the Pixel 10 will stick to the standard power and volume button setup. It's unlikely, but a dedicated shutter button would make the Pixel feel even more like the camera-focused device Google markets it as.Quicker photo processingWhile the Pixel's photo quality is rarely in question, speed can be an issue. Shooting in high-resolution RAW or 50-megapixel mode often leads to long processing delays. It's frustrating when you're trying to capture multiple moments quickly. If the Tensor G5 delivers the efficiency and raw power expected by TSMC's process, then hopefully we'll see much faster image processing this year.advertisement4K cinematic videoGoogle added cinematic video mode to its phones, but it's limited to 1080p at 30fps. However, the Pixel 10 has a chance to change that, ideally pushing cinematic video to 4K, maybe even at 60fps. Even if 60fps is a stretch, at least 4K recording at 30fps would bring Pixel video closer to the likes of Apple and Samsung. What's more important is refining the blur and stabilisation, which have often looked choppy in older Pixel models.More storage optionsIn India, the Pixel 9 came with 256GB storage, which is better than the 128GB limit on older-generation Pixel phones. Still, why not push further? At the Pixel's price point — upwards of Rs 80,000 — users should have the option to buy 512GB models as well. Apple and Samsung have this option, offering multiple storage tiers for a price bump. For a phone that relies heavily on AI features, photos, and video, more storage just makes sense.Lifetime Gemini ProGoogle bundled a one-year Gemini Pro subscription with Pixel 9 Pro devices. For the Pixel 10, why not go a step further and make it free for as long as the device gets software updates? In today's day and age, most people change their phones every two to three years anyway, so offering Gemini Pro throughout that period would create goodwill, loyalty and strengthen Pixel's identity as the 'AI-first phone'. Even if Google limits it to two years, it would still be a great gesture.- Ends