Excitement is building in the tech world as a significant leak has just pulled back the curtain on Google’s upcoming flagship smartphones, the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL. The details suggest a familiar yet refined experience. In other news, the Pixel Watch 3 is quietly getting a significant upgrade, promising more precise tracking capabilities.
Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL: Familiar form, new power
According to a detailed report from Android Headlines, the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL will largely stick to the design language of their predecessors. This means we are looking at similar display sizes: a 6.3-inch screen for the Pixel 10 Pro and a larger 6.8-inch display for the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Both are expected to feature LTPO OLED panels with a smooth 1-120Hz refresh rate and a dazzling peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Durability remains a focus, with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protecting both the front and back. This comes roughly a week after we saw the leaked specs for the standard Pixel 10.
Under the hood, both Pro models will pack Google’s new Tensor G5 processor, paired with a hefty 16GB of RAM. Storage options will vary slightly. The Pixel 10 Pro will offer 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB configurations. The larger Pixel 10 Pro XL, however, will skip the 128GB option, starting directly at 256GB and going up to 1TB. This mirrors a strategy seen with other major phone makers, potentially hinting at a price adjustment for the Pro XL.
Surprisingly, the camera hardware on the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL appears to remain largely unchanged from the previous generation. We are looking at a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 48-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 48-megapixel telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The front-facing camera will be a 42-megapixel shooter. A welcome improvement is the added macro capability for both the ultrawide and telephoto lenses, offering more versatile close-up photography. The telephoto is expected to provide better quality for macro shots due to improved light intake, with a focus distance of about 10cm, while the ultrawide can get as close as 2cm.
Battery life is also seeing an upgrade. The Pixel 10 Pro is set to feature a 4,870mAh battery. The Pixel 10 Pro XL will boast the largest battery ever in a Pixel phone at 5,200mAh. Charging speeds are also getting a boost, with the Pixel 10 Pro supporting 29W wired charging and the Pixel 10 Pro XL getting a faster 39W. Both models will also support 15W wireless charging, thanks to Qi2. Anticipation builds for an August 20 announcement, with a release date slated for August 28.
Pixel Watch 3: A new trick for finding your stuff
Meanwhile, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is quietly becoming a pioneer in precise location tracking. A report from Android Authority reveals that the smartwatch now supports Bluetooth 6.0’s Channel Sounding feature. This is a big deal because it allows for incredibly accurate, centimeter-level distance tracking between devices.
Unlike traditional Bluetooth which relies on imprecise signal strength, Channel Sounding calculates the actual time it takes for a signal to travel between two devices. This means no more frustrating searches when your Bluetooth tracker is “somewhere in the room.” While Ultra-wideband (UWB) offers similar precision, it requires specific, often more expensive hardware. Channel Sounding, leveraging the ubiquitous nature of Bluetooth, presents a widespread and cost-effective alternative.
The Pixel Watch 3 gained this capability with its recent Wear OS 5.1 update. While the hardware is ready, the feature is not yet fully active for users. This is likely in preparation for a future “Find Hub” app from Google, which would fully utilize Channel Sounding to greatly improve the accuracy of finding lost items. Google may also be waiting for the broader adoption of Android 16, which includes new ranging APIs to simplify these tracking technologies.
If you’re a Pixel Watch 3 owner, let me know your thoughts on this addition in the comments below.
Dwayne Cubbins
1383 Posts
My fascination with Android phones began the moment I got my hands on one. Since then, I've been on a journey to decode the ever-evolving tech landscape, fueled by a passion for both the "how" and the "why." Since 2018, I've been crafting content that empowers users and demystifies the tech world. From in-depth how-to guides that unlock your phone's potential to breaking news based on original research, I strive to make tech accessible and engaging.