Quick Links
-
The Pixel 10 Breaks the Mold
-
The Importance of Telephoto
As someone who prefers smaller phones, it’s always been a bummer that Google reserves certain cameras for the bigger Pixel “Pro” models. That’s finally changing with the Pixel 10, and I’m very excited.
The first time Google included a “Pro” model was back in 2021 with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. They both had a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultrawide camera, but the Pro had one extra camera: a 48MP telephoto. It was the same story with the Pixel 7/7 Pro in 2022, the Pixel 8/8Pro in 2023, and the Pixel 10/10 Pro in 2024.
The non-Pro model has always been one camera behind. Dual cameras are nothing to scoff at, of course. A 50MP main camera is awesome, and ultrawide cameras can be useful too. However, I have found that an optical telephoto camera is much, much more valuable to me. I’ve been using the Pixel 9 Pro XL for nearly a year, and I barely ever use the ultrawide camera, but the telephoto camera gets used all the time.
The Pixel 10 Breaks the Mold
Google has finally given the base Pixel a third camera, a telephoto for the Pixel 10. This is an awesome upgrade for the most affordable phone in the series. Now, it’s not the same telephoto camera that can be found on the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL, but it’s still an optical zoom camera, and that’s what matters.
The lack of telephoto cameras in the base models of smartphones has bothered me for a long time. Manufacturers are more than happy to toss in an ultrawide or macro camera to go alongside the main shooter, but they’re stingy with telephoto cameras. Those are reserved for the biggest and best phones, and I’m tired of it. I’m glad Google is finally giving the base Pixel some zoom love.
- Brand
-
Google
- SoC
-
Google Tensor G5
- Display
-
6.3-inch Actua OLED, 20:9
- RAM
-
12 GB RAM
- Storage
-
128 GB / 256 GB
- Battery
-
4970mAh
The Importance of Telephoto
In my opinion, telephoto cameras are the most useful cameras to have. Typically, when you take a photo with your phone, things will always look farther away than they do to you in real life—that’s just how lenses work. I’ve found that I need at least a 2X zoom to bring subjects closer and more accurately match my perspective. But most things that I take a photo of are not right in front of me, which makes the 5X zoom equally as useful.
The Pixel 10’s telephoto camera is 5X, just like the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL, but it’s only 10.8MP. The Pro models have 48MP telephoto cameras. Another difference in the telephoto cameras is Quad PD autofocus for the Pro models, whereas the Pixel 10 has Dual PD autofocus. So, the Pixel 10 is still clearly not on the same level, but it’s much closer than previous generations.
Ultimately, it’s a huge step in the right direction. Google has been holding back on its affordable phones for a long time, and a telephoto lens on the base Pixel 10 is a sign that things are changing. Yes, it’s not the same sensor as the Pro model, and that’s okay. You’re getting a phone that’s $200-400 less expensive than the Pro models, but still gets you some real zoom capabilities.
Obviously, it’s never been an issue of Google not thinking people would want a zoom lens on the base model. They need to reserve some things for the more expensive models. For whatever reason, Google has let up on that just a bit, and I’m hoping this is just the beginning of a new trend for Google’s phones.