Google is about to ace a key maturity exam with its 'late' Pixel 10 launch

How delighted were you when you heard that this year's big "Made by Google" event could take place in July or even June instead of August or September? Well, that dream was crushed in no time, as the Pixel 10 series launch is now reportedly scheduled for August 20, with a proper release for the search giant's four new high-end smartphones then expected on August 28. Basically, the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold are likely to go official later in the year than the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL , and Pixel 9 Pro Fold did back in 2024, which sounds like bad news for Google fans, Android purists, and even Android users in general.
But while I consider myself a member of all three of those groups, I view the newly rumored dates as a potentially positive thing. Here's why:
Who here remembers the original Google Pixel phone? The decidedly experimental Android 7.1 Nougat-running handset (and its XL sibling) were unveiled in early October 2016, followed by a Pixel 2 duo in October 2017, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL in October 2018, and the Pixel 4 and 4 XL in, you guessed it, October 2019. Google broke the pattern (somewhat) with a late September 2020 launch for the single-size Pixel 5, going back to a traditional October announcement for the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro in 2021, Pixel 7 and 7 Pro in 2022, and Pixel 8 and 8 Pro in 2023. The Pixel 9 family then changed the paradigm completely, both by including four members instead of just two or three and by seeing daylight in August.
The Pixel 9 family should mark the beginning of a new era for Google-made smartphones. | Image Credit -- PhoneArena This allowed Google to beat Apple's iPhone 16 quartet to the market, which was clearly a smart strategic choice. But while a June or July 2025 release would have given the Pixel 10 series a strategic advantage over Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, and Z Flip 7 FE in addition to this year's iPhone 17 lineup, that would have also signaled weakness and indecision for a company that's setting the trends in so many segments of the tech industry. After nine years in this business (15 if you also count the discontinued Nexus line), Google needs to show maturity, boldness, and a pioneering spirit that other brands can follow. Predictability is a key characteristic of most smartphone market heavyweights (from Apple to Samsung and even Xiaomi or Oppo), and if Google wants to join that club, firmly locking a timeframe for all future high-end Pixel launches sounds like the best possible "programming" move. Quick, what's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the Pixel 9a name? It's "delay", isn't it? But that's not entirely fair, as Google's 2025 mid-ranger was still released earlier in the year than the Pixel 8a back in May 2024.
The search giant would have clearly been better off unveiling and releasing the Pixel 9a in April or even May than rushing its announcement and tarnishing its image with what everyone now views as a tardy rollout.
The Pixel 9a is proof an early announcement is not always a good idea. | Image Credit -- PhoneArena
To a certain extent, the same can be said about last year's Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro Fold , which arrived in stores a couple of weeks after the "vanilla" Pixel 9 and the Pixel 9 Pro XL despite all four models going official at the same time.
Bottom line, it would be much wiser of Google to unveil the Pixel 10 , 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, and 10 Pro Fold on August 20 and start shipping all four devices on August 28 than rushing them to a July announcement only to realize the phones can't actually be used until weeks later. Of course, that's all assuming Big G will release the entire Pixel 10 family by the end of August, which is obviously not a guarantee just yet.

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You need to have this Pixel safety feature toggled on to protect yourself from getting wiped out

Phone Arena

41 minutes ago

Phone Arena

You need to have this Pixel safety feature toggled on to protect yourself from getting wiped out

Did you know that this month is National Safety Month in the U.S.? I was so excited hearing this that I celebrated by jumping up and down and in the process I twisted my ankle and then fell down a flight of stairs breaking several bones. No, that really didn't happen, but if it did, I would hope to have my rejuvenated Pixel 6 Pro beside me. That's because Pixel handsets have certain safety features that help keep users safe (which is what safety features are for, of course). The first feature is one that is only available on Pixel 9 series devices. Let's say you and your Pixel 9 are driving in an area where there is no cellular coverage but you need help with your car. Instead of walking miles to civilization, you can use Satellite SOS which will allow you to "text emergency services, request roadside assistance, message friends and family, and share your location." Pixel phones and Pixel watches (paired with a Pixel 9 handset) offer Scam Detection. This is an exciting and protective feature because it scans in real time the pattern of a call that you are on or a text message that you are in the middle of. With help from AI, patterns of the call or text are analyzed and if they seem suspicious, the user is alerted. To activate Scam detection, open the Phone by Google app and tap the three-dot icon in the upper right corner. Tap on Settings and look for Scam Detection. Tap on it and toggle the feature on. This feature is available for Pixel 9 users in the U.S. and those with a Pixel 6 and later (including the Pixel 8 line) with the Phone by Google beta installed. You can check to see if you're on the beta by going to Settings > Apps > See all xxx apps. Scroll down to Phone and go tot he bottom of the page. You should see the version number followed by "publicbeta." Scam Detection is a great feature that scans calls and texts for patterns used by scammers. | Image credit-PhoneArena On Pixel 3 watches, the FDA approved Loss of Pulse Detection feature will prompt a call to emergency services and if you are unresponsive, it will go ahead and make the call. If you find yourself involved in a severe accident while driving a car or riding in one as a passenger, Pixel phones and watches will help you connect with emergency services. You will get a few seconds to respond to a prompt and should you be unresponsive, the feature will call emergency services and pass along your location. In the course of a day, you might come face-to-face with a weather emergency, or an emergency that threatens the safety of the public (the latter seems to occur more often than we'd like). Along with AMBER alerts, you can be notified of these activities by enabling Wireless Emergency Alerts on your Pixel device. While these features come to light during National Security Month, they are available on compatible Pixel devices throughout the entire year.