What you need to know about Google Pixel 10
Plus: Automatic airfare refunds, a new focus app and Apple TV+ price hike
Hello and welcome to another edition of my newsletter!
This week, I was back in Brooklyn for Google’s big Pixel event.
A couple of quick observations: Samsung held its foldables launch in the same neighborhood just a few weeks ago, where it was hot and humid inside and out. Google’s version? Freezing cold A/C blasting indoors while it rained outside. None of that has much to do with the gadgets themselves, but that’s the kind of on-the-ground perspective you’re here for, right?
Google’s event itself was a departure from the usual. Typically, it’s one executive after another on stage, each carefully walking through a new feature. This time, Google went full late-night talk show. Jimmy Fallon hosted live from a set that looked like it could’ve been ripped from The Tonight Show, complete with applause signs and a studio audience, all streamed on YouTube.
Celebrities were everywhere — both taped and live. Podcaster Alex Cooper demoed Pixel’s camera features, Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby showed off the AI workout assistant on the Pixel Watch, and one of the Jonas Brothers explained how they “love” Pixel and even shot their latest music video entirely on the phone. Stephen Curry wasn’t there in person but appeared in a skit announcing his new role as a Google fitness advisor.
The risk here? We all know most of these celebs don’t actually use Pixel day to day. They’re paid to show up and promote. Alex Cooper’s Instagram, for example, featured plenty of iPhone selfies up until recently — no surprise she switched once a deal was signed. Fallon himself is no stranger to Apple products either, often featuring them on his own show.
Hot takes are mixed on whether Google’s late-night experiment worked. But I’ll say this: it was fast-paced, different, and genuinely funny at times. I was glad to see it in person, especially since Google cut the invite list way down to fit the smaller studio audience.
On a personal note, I got to fly back to New York with my mom. She had some very relatable in-flight struggles: Netflix downloads that didn’t work, Bluetooth earbuds that wouldn’t connect, and Wi-Fi issues. I played in-flight tech support, showing her how to get free messaging over Wi-Fi, which was a first for her.
Now, let’s get into it: the announcements. Google made its strongest case yet for Pixel, with a lineup that goes all-in on AI, better cameras, and even some direct shots at Apple.
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Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro
The Pixel 10 is the entry-level Pixel (not counting the “a” models).
This year the big headline is a brighter screen and longer battery life. It also now has three cameras on the back, which means you’re getting a lot of phone for the $800 price tag. There’s a 5x zoom lens that gives you 10x optical quality zoom, and you can “Super Res” zoom up to 20x. That’s Google’s way of saying AI will step in to make your zoomed-in shots look as clean as possible.
The Pixel 10 Pro comes in two flavors — the Pro and the Pro XL. The Pro has a 6.3-inch screen, the XL goes bigger at 6.8 inches. Both have 16 gigs of RAM (fantastic!) and start at 128 gigs of storage for the Pro, with a more respectable 256 gigs on the XL.
Both phones have the same triple camera system, but here you get a 5x telephoto lens, 10x optical quality zoom and up to 100x Super Res Zoom. That last one is a bit controversial since Google is basically rebuilding the image with AI at that point, but in the demos it looked impressive.
One of the bigger new features is Google’s version of MagSafe, called PixelSnap. It’s on all the models this year and gives you a circle of magnets on the back so you can snap on accessories like a ring, charger, wallet — or whatever accessory makers come up with.
A smaller change, but one some people won’t love: there’s no more physical SIM card slot. It’s eSIM all the way. As someone who swaps phones for a living, this isn’t ideal — the fastest way to switch is still popping out a SIM card. That said, eSIMs can be provisioned over the air in seconds, you can store multiple on your phone, and when they work, they’re actually easier than the old system.
The Pixel 10 Pro starts at $1,000, while the XL will run you $1,100.
Pixel 10 Pro Fold
There’s not too much to say about this one except it’s still chugging along as a device. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone in the wild with a Pixel Fold — aside from tech journalists I run into at events.
The big improvement this year is dust resistance.
Otherwise, it still looks like two Pixels sandwiched together — smaller screen on the outside, big 8-inch display on the inside. People who own foldables swear by them, but I still can’t get used to all the extra effort it takes. The constant opening and closing feels like work.
In my head it’s always a little flow chart: social media? Outside screen. Quick email? Outside. Watch a movie? Inside. Take a picture? Outside. Wait — better picture? Inside cameras. It’s a lot of mental math just to use a phone.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts at $1,800.
AI upgrades
Of course, Google didn’t spend much time on stage talking specs — instead, the spotlight was on new AI features baked into these devices.
Magic Cue
This one’s actually pretty genius. It’s proactive AI for when someone texts you a question. Instead of making you dig through your phone, it instantly finds the answer and surfaces it above the text box. All you have to do is tap to send.
Example: someone asks for your flight number. Magic Cue will scan your Gmail, calendar, or texts, find the info, and present it as a suggested reply. Same thing if a friend asks, “what’s the restaurant again tonight?” Magic Cue looks through your email, finds the reservation, and has it ready to send.
It can even handle photos. If a friend texts, “hey, can you send those rodeo pics?” Magic Cue will pull up the exact shots it thinks you want and suggest them.
Where can it search? Gmail, messages, Keep notes, contacts, screenshots, and more. And importantly, Google says all of this is processed privately, on-device.
Ask to Edit
Another potentially useful feature is a new Google Photos editing tool where you simply describe the changes you want.
Instead of hunting for crop, brightness, or blemish removal tools, you just type what you want. In one demo, the Googler typed “fix this” on a photo of two friends by a tree. AI analyzed the photo and automatically suggested improvements — even generating a few variations to pick from.
In another example, there was a reflection in a window. AI had already surfaced “remove reflection” as a one-tap suggestion. Hit the button, and the reflection disappeared in seconds. (Samsung already does something similar in its Gallery app.)
There’s also a fun “Surprise Me” option, like Google’s old “I’m Feeling Lucky.” In my demo, it took a photo of an alpaca and transformed it into a scene with a top hat and monocle in a library — complete with variations.
The bigger idea here is that we’re moving toward a future where you just tell AI what you want, and it handles the process. For casual users who don’t usually edit photos, this makes things approachable. For power users, manual tools are still there.
Real-time call translation
Google also showed off live call translation with a twist: the other person hears the translation in your own cloned voice.
You speak in your language, and the person on the other end hears their language — but still in your voice. It works both ways, so you hear their words translated back in real time.
The demo wasn’t flawless — there was some delay and a few lost words — but the potential is huge. Google says the goal is to keep phone conversations personal and natural, even when you don’t speak the same language.
Camera Coach
Google also showed off a demo of how the camera can “coach” you into taking a better picture. This feels like one of those features most people won’t bother with and that eventually ends up in the feature graveyard. I just can’t see the average person taking time to let AI tell them to line up differently, move closer, or switch angles. But who knows — maybe I’ll be proven wrong.
Pixel Watch 4
The headlines on the Pixel Watch 4 are a new domed screen, lift-to-talk for Gemini, and the ability to call for help using satellites.
For perspective, Apple has had lift-to-talk with Siri for years — maybe even since day one of the Apple Watch. But Gemini feels more useful (when it works) because you can not only ask AI all of life’s little questions, you can also pull from your personal data, reminders, and the rest of Google’s ecosystem. When I tested the Samsung watch, Gemini was my favorite feature by far. Having AI on your wrist is incredibly handy.
The satellite SOS feature is another notable addition. We’re already used to seeing this on smartphones, but Google’s implementation doesn’t require a phone nearby. As long as you’re wearing the LTE version of the Pixel Watch 4, you can summon help even when there’s no cellular coverage. I’m guessing the satellite connectivity is bundled into the tiny modem chip itself. Either way, it’s a solid option for hikers, runners, or anyone venturing off the grid with just their watch.
Wrapping Up
Google reminds me of the little engine that could, at least when it comes to smartphones. If I had a dollar for every smart innovation that started on their phones and later showed up on another device, I’d probably just write more of these newsletters.
Same goes for Samsung. But in the Apple-centric U.S. market, nothing truly seems to matter until it shows up on the iPhone. I’ve shown off so many cool features over the years, only to hear: “Oh, that’s not on iPhone? Oh well.”
Google is clearly aware of this and didn’t hold back on the Apple jabs. They pointed out that plenty of promises have been made about AI from other companies, but few have delivered. They declared the blue vs. green bubble fight over now that RCS is the universal standard — meaning read receipts, typing indicators, reactions, and clear photos and videos finally work across iPhone and Android. And they criticized Apple’s “walled garden,” contrasting it with Android’s message of freedom and choice.
The challenge is that in 2025, getting people to switch phones is harder than ever. Apple was smart about pulling users into iCloud, bundled services, companion devices, family plans, and an endless lineup of accessories. Once you’re in, it feels tough to leave.
As someone who switches between the platforms regularly, I can tell you many of the old differences are gone — chargers are standardized, ecosystems play a bit nicer — but people are still reluctant to leave what they know. That’s the uphill battle Google faces.
But for those who have a Pixel, it feels like they’re holding something smarter — a phone that thinks for them, not against them.
Tech Tidbits
A site called pAiback watches for price drops on flights you’ve already booked. If it spots one, it contacts the airline to snag you a future flight credit. It recently got me $80 back, so yes — it works.
Grammarly has launched new AI agents to help you write. The standouts: one that grades papers, checks for plagiarism and AI writing. There’s also a new Google Docs–style interface for drafting directly in Grammarly with all their tools built in.
Apple TV+ is raising prices again — now $13 a month, up from $10.
A Seattle startup is rethinking the landline for kids. It’s called Tin Can, a $100 device that lets kids call pre-approved contacts. The catch: it’s $10 a month to call people who don’t also have one. Fun idea, but FaceTime and free apps are pretty stiff competition.
A new app called Focus Friend from YouTuber Hank Green is climbing the download charts, helping people stay productive in short bursts. Apparently, lots of us want help keeping distractions at bay.
Feedbag
Too long but useful
Deborah, New Milford CT
Re: “My wife keeps telling me these newsletters are too long.” She’s right, but the more I read, the more I find useful information. I’m grateful you’re the one gathering the facts. Kudos — I like your newsletter.
That’s going to do it for this edition. Thanks, as always, for reading — and feel free to drop me a line here. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my podcast.
Have a great weekend!
Rich