Leaked information from Google reveals a number of surprising improvements to the Pixel
According to a new report, Google is planning a slew of new AI-powered camera tricks for its next-generation Pixel smartphones.
According to documents leaked by Google’s “gChips” division and seen by Android Authoritythe Pixel 10 and Pixel 11 cameras, in particular, will offer significant advances over the current lineup.
This year’s Pixel 9 lineup offered relatively minor camera improvements compared to the Pixel 8 series. However, the Pixel 10 is expected to deliver significantly bigger improvements thanks to improved camera hardware and the inclusion of the Tensor G5, the first SoC fully customized smartphone from Google. Later, the Pixel 11 is expected to have even better performance and features with the introduction of the Tensor G6.
Revealed camera improvements on the Pixel 10 and Pixel 11 include:
- Pixel 10: Improved video capabilities
- Pixel 10: Game-changing video and photo editing features
- Pixel 10: Stable streaming on the device
- Pixel 11: Zoom up to 100x
- Pixel 11: A new under-display camera for face unlock
- Pixel 11: Big low-light video improvements
- Pixel 11: Best Cinematic Video
Let’s take a look at these features in more detail:
Pixel 10: Improved video capabilities
The additional performance of the Tensor G5 will enable 4K HDR video up to 60fps instead of 30fps. This significant upgrade will finally bring the Pixel range into line with key rivals such as the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S series. However, Google has much more impressive improvements in store.
Pixel 10: Game-changing video and photo editing features
The Tensor G5 is expected to offer new “Generative Video ML” features, offering what the report describes as “Intuitive post-capture AI-based video editing for the Photos app.” That’s certainly a bit of a mouthful, but what it looks like from this description is that Google Photos will be getting some fancy new AI-based video editing features, powered at least in part by the Tensor G5. According to the report, these video editing features may also be available when creating YouTube Shorts in the YouTube app.
Brand new features are also coming for images, including Speak-to-Tweak, apparently some sort of voice-controlled image-editing feature, and Sketch-to-image, a feature with better sound. known to be expected to transform raw drawings. in high-quality photos using AI.
Less well known is a proposed upgrade to the “Magic Mirror,” whose function, for now, remains a mystery. However, Google’s “Magic” features tend to rely heavily on generative AI, and that’s likely to be the case here as well. Perhaps this Magic Mirror can deliver a brutally honest AI-powered assessment of your beauty, thereby escalating a jealous revenge plot against your winning stepmother. I hope not, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Pixel 10: Stable streaming on the device
The report also claims that the Pixel 10 will be able to run Stable Diffusion image generation models locally on the device without having to process them in the cloud on Google’s server. Stable Diffusion is an open source deep learning model primarily used for generating images from text descriptions. It requires significant processing power and a large amount of RAM to run at a usable speed. The Pixel 10’s ability to run Stable Diffusion locally points to some serious performance improvements.
Pixel 11: Zoom up to 100x
Looking further ahead, 2026’s Pixel 11 may introduce a 100x zoom mode for both photos and videos. This would use image processing powered by machine learning combined with an as yet unknown “next generation” telephoto camera. Samsung’s Galaxy S series flagships have offered 100x “Space Zoom” since the Galaxy S20 Ultra, but only for still images and some.
Pixel 11: New under-display camera for face unlock
The Pixel 11 may house a new infrared camera under the display, capable of improving the performance of secure face unlock in darker environments, an area where current Pixels struggle compared to the iPhone’s Face ID system. Interestingly, the Pixel 4 offered a dedicated sensor, which was ditched in favor of smaller bezels and a punch-hole selfie camera.
Pixel 11: Big low-light video improvements
The Pixel 11 looks set to introduce a new “Ultra Low Light” video mode that runs entirely on the device instead of relying on Google’s cloud-based Video Boost feature like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series. says you’ll be able to shoot low-light video without the need for a fast Internet connection and without a long wait, often hours, while Google’s cloud servers process your files. According to the report, Google expects the new low-light video mode to work in lighting conditions of 5-10 lux, roughly equivalent to “mood lighting” in a restaurant, but brighter than moonlight.
Ultra-low light video will be made possible by combining the increased performance of the Tensor G6 and the new camera hardware.
One gripe with the current Video Boost option is that you have to manually enable it every time you open the camera app. Google won’t let you set it as the default option, presumably because of the added inconvenience of Video Boost and, more importantly, the huge load it would put on its servers if everyone took pictures in the mode. Video Boost all the time. Moving the feature away from the cloud can make it easier to access the feature without having to remember to move this switch.
Pixel 11: Improved Cinematic Mode
The Pixel 11’s Cinematic Mode will get an upgrade. It will allow recording up to 4K at 30 fps, up from 1080p on the Pixel 9, and a new “video relight” feature. According to the report, the Tensor G6 will enable both features while reducing power consumption by nearly 40% when shooting cinematic videos.
These impressive leaks paint an encouraging picture of Google Pixel’s roadmap over the next two years, but Google’s competitors won’t stand still between now and 2026. In the battle for smartphone supremacy, AI is becoming the new battlefield. Google will have to pull out all the stops to stay competitive against giants like Apple and Samsung, both of which are expected to offer significantly improved cameras and processors in their next-generation flagships.
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