Google is tipped to introduce an unexpected change with the Pixel 10 camera. The standard model will reportedly gain a telephoto lens for the first time, but with downgraded components in the remaining cameras. This means the base Pixel 10 could potentially deliver inferior image quality to the Pixel 9 in many scenarios, despite the added zoom capability.
Information from a Google insider received by Android Authority, shows that this year’s standard (non-Pro) Pixel 10 smartphone will come with an unexpectedly powerful camera upgrade in the form of a new triple rear camera, incorporating a telephoto lens. This will bring a three-lens setup to the base Pixel model for the first time.
Here are the report’s key findings:
- Pixel 10 Pro: will include the best sensors for superior all-round image quality.
- Pixel 10: tipped to gain a telephoto lens, but with lower-quality sensors all round.
- Pixel 9a: Expected to share most camera sensors with the base Pixel 10.
Pixel 10 Camera: Telephoto Lens Added, But At What Cost?
Until now, Google has reserved telephoto lenses for its Pixel Pro and Pro Fold smartphones only, equipping its standard Pixel models with just two cameras at the rear. However the report also claims that this Pixel 10 telephoto upgrade will come at the cost of downgrading the remaining two rear cameras to the level of the budget-friendly Pixel 9a launching later this week.
This change could catch potential customers unaware, especially those who habitually upgrade their phones without paying close attention to the specs.
The key takeaway here is that if you care about getting the best quality from your Pixel’s primary camera, you’ll have to opt for a Pro model as the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro will likely have a much bigger quality gap between them than the current Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro.
That said, Dxomark tests of the earlier Pixel 8a show that Google’s budget models can hold up reasonably well against more expensive Pixels with larger sensors outside of the most challenging situations. In this generation of Pixels, the gap between the Pixel 8a and the Pixel 8 was particularly narrow when it comes to zoom performance, which may provide a clue as to why Google is beefing up the Pixel 10 with that new telephoto lens.
It’s a risky move that may yet pay off, but it will depend on customers valuing improved zoom performance over better “normal” snaps.
Pixel 10 Camera Specs: A Detailed Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of the expected camera hardware:
Pixel 10:
- Wide (primary): Samsung GN8 – 50MP, 1/1.95-inch
- Ultrawide: Sony IMX712 – 13MP, 1/3.1-inch
- Telephoto and selfie: Samsung 3J1 – 10.87MP 1/3-inch
Both the wide and ultrawide cameras here match those of the Pixel 9a.
Pixel 10 Pro (same as current Pixel 9 Pro):
- Wide (primary): Samsung GNV – 50MP, 1/3.1-inch
- Ultrawide, telephoto and selfie: Sony IMX858 – 48MP, 1/2.51”
Pixel 10 Pro Fold
- Wide (primary): Samsung GN8 – 50MP, 1/1.95-inch
- Ultrawide and Telephoto: Samsung 3J1 – 10.87MP 1/3-inch
- Selfie (inner and outer): Samsung 3K1 – 11MP 1/3.94-inch
Pixel 10 vs. Pixel 9: Camera Quality Concerns
The Pixel 10 Pro’s sensors don’t just offer higher resolution, they are also physically larger. Sensor size is crucial for picture quality, especially in low light. Larger sensors can capture more light in a single shot, resulting in cleaner, less-grainy, images. This puts the base Pixel 10 at disadvantage in many scenarios when compared with the Pro version and even the current Pixel 9. This would make it considerably more difficult for Google to sell the Pixel 10 as an upgrade to Pixel 9 owners.
Will the Pixel 10 Camera Upgrade Be Enough?
Despite these detailed sensor specs, key questions remain about the quality and magnification level of the Pixel 10’s lenses and how they will compare to both the Pixel 10 Pro and the Pixel 9a. However, we’ll get to see what Google can achieve with these smaller sensors well before the Pixel 10-series launch, when the Pixel 9a launches on April 10. We will gain valuable insights from how the new Pixel 9a camera stacks up against the base Pixel 9.
Would a new telephoto lens be enough to make you upgrade to the Pixel 10, even if it meant a slight drop in overall image quality?
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