Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: How the newest foldable phones stack up

The latest and greatest of the foldable phone world. (Google, Sam Rutherford/Engadget)

Last month, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was released and immediately became the de facto king of the foldable phone hill. But today a new challenger has arrived: The Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Initial details are now available, and Google is having a splashy launch event to introduce it (and the full new Pixel 10 line) to the world. These two smartphones are vying for the title of best foldable — both with very similar designs, but each bringing something unique to the table.

Samsung launched its first foldable phone in 2019, so it’s had quite a bit of time to refine the Galaxy Fold over the years. Google on the other hand just released its first Pixel Fold a couple years ago — but has already largely evened the match. And, of course, with enhanced Gemini AI software integration front and center, you’ll have access to Google’s impressive artificial intelligence features at nearly every turn.

We’ll break down how the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z Fold 7 stack up to one another. You can also check out our comparison of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the Galaxy Fold 6 to see how much has changed in a year. For more, see everything else that was announced at the Made by Google Pixel event today, including the Pixel Watch 4.

Price

First things first, how much will one of these high-tech folding phones cost you? That is the make-or-break question, after all. The newest Pixel foldable is still less expensive than this year’s Z Fold: it starts at $1,799 while the Galaxy smartphone starts at $2,000.

You don’t have any other real choices for “book-style” foldables in the US market. The OnePlus Open can be had for $1,499, but it’s almost two years old. And Apple’s most expensive phone is currently the $1,599 1TB iPhone 16 Pro Max — but as a non-foldable model with just a single screen, it’s hardly a straight comparison. If the rumor mill is to be believed, Apple may finally bow a foldable iPhone in 2026.

Dimensions and display

It’s a race for the largest display and Samsung won this time — but not by much. The Galaxy Z Fold is just a hair bigger than the Pixel Pro Fold. Both phones’ inner displays are 8 inches across when fully opened, while Samsung comes out ahead on the outer display with 6.5 inches (the Pixel is 6.4 inches).

As for height, the new foldable Pixel phone is 6.1 inches and the Galaxy Z is 6.2 inches — not a huge difference there. When unfolded, the Samsung wins on size efficiency, packing the identically sized 8-inch internal display into an area that’s 0.3 inches smaller — 5.6 inches versus the Pixel’s 5.9.

This year, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s displays have been upgraded to a Super Actua Flex OLED display with ultra-thin glass. Both the front screen and back cover come equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

As for the Galaxy Z Fold 7, it has a Dynamic AMOLED display (inner and outer) and comes with the Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on the front and the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the backside. The glass is ultra-thin, yet it’s 50 percent thicker than before.

While slightly bigger, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is still lighter than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The Samsung model weighs only 7.6 ounces — down nearly an ounce from its 2024 model — while its Google competition comes in at 9.1 ounces (the same as last year’s model).

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (left) compared to the new Pixel 10 Pro Fold (right). (Sam Rutherford/Engadget)

Processor, RAM, storage and battery

The Pixel 10 Fold Pro runs the Tensor G5 chip — Google says its CPU features 34 percent better performance compared to the Tensor G4 chip.

The Z Fold 7 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy. “Everything feels fast and snappy,” Engadget’s Sam Rutherford said of the Snapdragon 8 Elite performance on the Z Fold 7. (Sam also has first impressions of the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but speed tests will happen a bit later.)

Both phones offer the choice of 256GB, 512GB or 1TB storage. On the RAM front, the Pixel Fold delivers 16GB across the line, while the Samsung model reserves that level for the top 1TB storage tier; the small models get 12GB instead. The Galaxy phone will cost you $2,419 if you decide you need the maximum amount of storage, whereas the Pixel Fold tops out at $2,149.

When it comes to battery life, Samsung’s foldable lasts up to 24 hours with a 4,400mAh battery. The Pixel lasts up to 30 hours thanks to a more capacious 5,015mAh battery rating. Furthermore, the Pixel Fold is certified for Qi2 wireless charging, which Google is branding as “Pixelsnap” across its 2025 Pixel line for the first time..

Color options

If you like having multiple colors to choose from, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is winning in this category. It comes in Mint, Jetblack, Blue Shadow and Silver Shadow. Mint is only available if you buy your phone online — you won’t be seeing that one in stores.

As for the Pixel 10 Fold Pro, your options are Moonstone and Jade.

Full specs comparison

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Starting price

$1,799

$2,000

Dimensions

Folded: 6.1 x 3.0 x 0.4 inches (155.2 x 76.3 x 10.8mm)
Unfolded: 6.1 x 5.9 x 0.2 inches (155.2 x 150.4 x 5.2mm)

Folded: 6.2 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches (158.4 x 72.8 x 8.9mm)
Unfolded: 6.2 x 5.6 x 0.2 inches (158.4 x 143.2 x 4.2mm)

Weight

9.1 oz (258g)

7.6 oz (215g)

Processor

Tensor G5

Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm)

Display

Inner: 8-inch Super Actua
Outer: 6.4-inch Actua

Inner: 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED
Outer: 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED

Storage

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

RAM

16GB

12GB (for 256GB, 512GB configs) | 16GB (for 1TB config)

Battery

5,015mAh | “Up to 30 hours”

4,400mAh | “Up to 24 hours”

Camera

Main: 48 MP wide | 5x telephoto lens with Super Res Zoom up to 20x
Front: 10 (ƒ/2.2)
Inner: 10 MP (ƒ/2.2)

Main: 200 MP Wide (F1.7) | 12 MP Ultrawide (F2.2) | 10 MP (F2.4) / Telephoto (F2.4) w/3x zoom
Front: 10 (F2.2)
Inner: 10 MP (F2.2)

Stylus support

No

No

Colors

Moonstone, Jade

Mint (online only), Jetblack, Blue Shadow, Silver Shadow

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/google-pixel-10-pro-fold-vs-samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-how-the-newest-foldable-phones-stack-up-165018793.html?src=rss 

How to pre-order Google’s new Pixel 10 phones, Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a

Google unveiled a swarm of new Pixel devices on Wednesday, including four Pixel 10 phones, the Pixel Watch 4 and a set of wireless earbuds called the Pixel Buds 2a. We’ve gone hands-on with some of the hardware already, and we’ll have full reviews in the days ahead, so most people should hold off before making any purchases. If history is any indication, it shouldn’t be too long before we see discounts for the new phones either. But if you’re interested in taking the plunge early, we’ve quickly broken down what’s new and where you can pre-order each device below.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-pre-order-googles-new-pixel-10-phones-pixel-watch-4-and-pixel-buds-2a-160046941.html?src=rss 

Pixelsnap is Google’s Qi2-powered answer to MagSafe for the Pixel 10 series

Google just revealed something called Pixelsnap at today’s Made by Google event. This is the company’s answer to Apple’s MagSafe technology, so it’s a magnetic attachment system that can integrate with Qi2 wireless chargers.

All of the new Pixel 10 phones have been outfitted with the tech, which lets users “effortlessly snap wireless chargers, stands, grips and thousands of other accessories,” including the just-announced official Pixelsnap charger. That Qi2 wireless charger reaches speeds up to 25W and there’s a version with a stand to dock a phone while charging.

Google

Google also announced the Pixelsnap Ring Stand, which is for hands-free viewing, and a range of Pixelsnap phone cases. There are plenty of accessories coming from third-party companies, including car mounts, wallets, grips and more. The tech should also integrate with most pre-existing magnetic accessories.

The Pixelsnap wireless charger costs $40, while the one with a stand costs $70. The Pixelsnap Ring Stand starts at $30 and dedicated smartphone cases start at $50. The phones will still be able to attach magnetically and wirelessly charge with one of these cases. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/pixelsnap-is-googles-qi2-powered-answer-to-magsafe-for-the-pixel-10-series-160048306.html?src=rss 

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers improved dust resistance and Qi2 wireless charging

Google just announced the Pixel 10 Pro Fold smartphone at the Made by Google event. This latest foldable offers some novel features, especially when compared to rival handsets like the recently-released Galaxy Z Fold 7.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. This is pretty significant for dust, as the Z Fold 7 has just an IP48 rating. IP68 is a good rating and essentially means that the unit will be completely dustproof and can withstand being submerged in water deeper than one meter for around 30 minutes. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold offered an IPX8 rating, which is the same metric for water but a much poorer rating for dust.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold also includes Qi2 wireless charging, and it’s the first foldable to offer this feature. That’ll pair nicely with Google’s just-announced PixelSnap platform, which is the company’s answer to Apple’s MagSafe.

Google

The general specs are solid here. It ships with a 6.4-inch external OLED display and an 8-inch internal display when unfolded. The hinge is made from high-grade aluminum alloy and the external display features a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover.

The battery lasts for around 24 hours, but Google’s Extreme Battery Saver software can extend that all the way up to 84 hours. We’ll have to test that when we run the handset through its paces. It can also charge up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes.

There’s a triple rear camera system, including a 48MP wide lens, a 10.5MP ultrawide lens with macro focus and a 10.8MP telephoto lens. It ships with a Google Tensor G5 chip, 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB in storage.

The bad news? The Pixel 10 Pro Fold won’t be available until October 9, while the other Pixel phones drop on August 29. Like most foldables, this handset is on the expensive side. Prices start at $1,799.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-pixel-10-pro-fold-offers-improved-dust-resistance-and-qi2-wireless-charging-160052381.html?src=rss 

The Pixel Watch 4 offers better battery life and easier screen replacements

Google just announced the Pixel Watch 4 at the Made by Google event. The upcoming smartwatch features a newly-designed domed display that’s ten percent larger than the Pixel Watch 3’s screen. It can also reach 3,000 nits of brightness.

The battery life is impressive here, with the company saying it should last up to 40 hours per charge. That’s enough time to use the watch all day and night, for those who want to track their sleep every once in a while. It also offers 25 percent faster charging when compared to the previous model.

Google

The Pixel Watch 4 gives customers access to SOS satellite communications, which lets users connect to emergency services via the device. This works even when cellular and Wi-Fi coverage isn’t available. The feature first launched with the Pixel 9 series of smartphones.

It’s the first smartwatch by Google “designed with serviceability in mind.” This means that it’s easier to replace the battery and screen. The Pixel Watch 4 tracks over 40 exercises, including yoga and kickboxing. There’s an AI-based personal fitness coach that arrives first for Fitbit Premium users after the watch launches.

As for health metrics, the smartwatch has an ECG app and offers irregular heart rhythm notifications. There’s also a brand-new feature that detects when a heart stops beating, which automatically connects users to emergency services. All health metrics can be tracked via an integrated dashboard.

Google

Of course, the watch was designed with Google Gemini in mind. There’s a new speaker for communication and a raise-to-talk functionality. The company says that Gemini will leverage data “from apps across your device” to answer questions. 

The Pixel Watch 4 comes in two sizes (41mm and 45mm) and integrates with a full range of accessories, including various bands. The company is introducing new watch faces and changed up the design of some pre-existing watch faces. It’ll be available for purchase on October 9, with prices starting at $349. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/the-pixel-watch-4-offers-better-battery-life-and-easier-screen-replacements-160053246.html?src=rss 

The Pixel 10 Pro series features brighter displays, bigger batteries and Qi2 wireless charging

After the usual months of rumors and anticipation, Google has officially launched the new Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL at its Made by Google event. The new generation flagship devices carry packed spec sheets with impressive upgrades from the Pixel 9 Pro. Perhaps the most exciting among them is the addition of Pixelsnap, which supports Google’s new ecosystem of Qi2-compatible chargers that magnetically align to the back of the phone. Beyond just the convenience, Qi2 compatibility should offer faster wireless charging speeds, too. This functionality had been conspicuously missing from flagship Android devices until now, and spawns a whole new world of accessories that can snap onto the back of the Pixel.

Google’s flagship phones have long been known for delivering excellent photos, and these new Pixel’s continue that tradition. Both models carry a triple rear camera system with a 50MP wide lens, a 48MP ultrawide with macro, and an “upgraded” 48MP 5x telephoto lens. It’s not clear yet what’s new about that telephoto camera, as it has the same f/2.8 aperture and 22-degree field of view as the one on the Pixel 9 Pro series. ProRes support is standard for more serious photo editors.

The 6.3-inch Pixel 10 Pro and the 6.8-inch Pixel 10 Pro XL will both feature a Super Actua display with variable refresh rate up to 120 Hz. The displays offer up to 3,300 nits of peak brightness or 2,200 nits peak in HDR, about ten percent brighter than on the Pixel 9 Pro series.

Both models boast their largest batteries yet with over 30 hours of battery life, which represents a roughly 25 percent boost over the last generation. The Pixel 10 Pro supports 30W fast charging while the Pro XL supports 45W. While both phones support the Qi2 standard, the 10 Pro XL is the first phone to support Qi2.2 with 25W wireless charging. The standard 10 Pro is limited to 15W wireless charging. Both sizes will be sold with 16GB of RAM. 

The Pro and Pro XL will both sport the Google Tensor G5 chip, which powers new on-board AI features coming to the entire Pixel 10 lineup. Key among them is Magic Cue, which can provide relevant information to the user by understanding when it’s needed, like pulling up your flight info when you’re calling the airline. Camera Coach is another AI-powered feature that will help users take better photographs by helping them find the best angle or lighting.

Both sizes will be available in four color choices, those being Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain and Obsidian. The Pixel 10 Pro will launch at $999 for the 128GB model, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL will launch at $1,199 with 256GB of storage (double what the Pixel 9 Pro XL included). The new Pixel Pro line is available for pre-orders today and will hit shelves on August 28.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/the-pixel-10-pro-series-features-brighter-displays-bigger-batteries-and-qi2-wireless-charging-160059520.html?src=rss 

All the new AI features coming to the Pixel 10 phones

Software has always been an integral part of the Pixel experience, and that’s not changing with the new Pixel 10 family. At its Made by Google event today in New York, Google detailed a suite of new machine learning and AI features that will debut with the Pixel 10 series before making their way to earlier models.   

The first new tool most people are likely to encounter is Magic Cue. As you’re texting your friends, Gemini Nano, Google’s private on-device model, will populate the conversation with contextual suggestions. For example, if a friend asks about a dinner reservation you two made last week, the Pixel 10 will display a shortcut you can tap to send them a Google Maps listing. Magic Cue depends on there being a digital paper trail to work. You can long press the shortcuts it generates to see where Gemini sourced the information it’s relaying to you. In the case of the example above, it may have come from your personal Gmail. 

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

The feature has extensions throughout Android. For instance, if a family member texts you about a flight you two are about to take, Magic Cue will not only provide the number of the airline, it will also display information about your flight on screen for easy reference.     

On the Discover page, which you can access on nearly every Android device by swiping to the leftmost page of your phone’s home screen, there’s a new shortcut to a feature called the Daily Hub. Like Samsung’s Now Brief, it’s a page with an AI-generated summary of the upcoming day. At the top, you’ll see a greeting, with a weather forecast and and any upcoming events on your calendar. Below that, there will be a list of reminders pulled from Gmail, Keep and other Google apps. If you keep scrolling, you’ll also find recommended articles and videos from YouTube.  

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

For those who also want to reflect at the end of their day, there’s a new Journal app too. It has AI features built throughout. For instance, as you’re writing an entry, it will automatically suggest images to include from your photo library. Additionally, the app will attempt to automatically categorize your entries based on topics you’ve designated. Google has used emoji for this part of the interface, which make it easy to see at a glance what you wrote about from the app’s monthly view.       

Over in Photos, Google has introduced a feature called Conversational Editing. It allows you to tweak an image by describing to your phone how you want it modified. For example, say you took a selfie of yourself in a busy tourist location. You can tell Photos — using your voice, your phone’s on-screen keyboard or a suggested prompt — to edit all the strangers out of the scene. After a few moments, the on-device model will produce a new image, with the original displayed alongside it so you can compare the two. It’s possible to build multiple edits on top of one another, and if you don’t like the latest edit, you can go back. 

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

In the camera app, there are a handful of new AI features. First, there’s Camera Coach, which will examine the shot you’re about to snap. It will read the scene and make suggestions on the angle and lighting to use, as well what capture mode is best for the situation. Another new AI feature, dubbed Auto Best Take, finds and combines similar photos so that everyone in a group shot looks their best. Lastly, Google updated last year’s Add Me feature to make it easier to include the photographer in even larger groups.  

Elsewhere, Google is introducing a few upgrades to its Gemini Live visual assistant that build on the base the company debuted last year. To start, there are new visual indicators that will mask part of your phone’s screen to make it easier to see what Gemini is referring to when it answers a question. This feature will be available first on Pixel 10 devices before rolling out to other Android phones and iOS devices later. Separately, Google says it will soon release a new model that “dramatically” improves how Gemini uses key elements of human speech. For instance, you’ll be able to tell the assistant to speak slowly if you’re jotting down notes, and it will change its tone depending on the emotional nature of the topic you’re discussing.   

The Pixel 10 family is available to per-order today, with general availability of the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL to follow on August 28. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a won’t arrive at retail until October 9. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/all-the-new-ai-features-coming-to-the-pixel-10-phones-160017270.html?src=rss 

Everything announced at the Made by Google Pixel event, including the Pixel 10 lineup

Google is kicking off the fall tech event season (albeit in late summer) today with its Made by Google showcase. The headline attraction at the event is the Pixel 10 lineup, but there’s plenty of other interesting stuff on offer too, such as the Pixel Watch 4, Pixel Buds 2a and — of course — a bunch of AI-related announcements.

Google has also confirmed something many folks have been waiting for: its take on MagSafe. The company is calling its version Pixelsnap.

Here’s a look at everything that announced at the Made by Google event, along with links to our more in-depth coverage of each product and our hands-on impressions:

Pixel 10

A tenth birthday is typically cause for a special celebration. The Pixel brand isn’t quite that old yet (the original Google Pixel arrived in 2016), but there might still be enough to the base Pixel 10 to make fans don a conical hat and blow a party horn.

For one thing, this is the first non-Pro Pixel phone to boast a telephoto lens. It is a 5x optical zoom lens, but it supports 10x optical image quality with the help of cropping and computational photography. Using the Super Res Zoom feature can give you a 20x zoom equivalent. Along with the telephoto lens, the Pixel 10 has 48MP wide and 13MP ultrawide sensors on the rear, as well as a 10.5MP selfie lens.

As with the other phones in this year’s lineup, the Pixel 10 runs on the Google Tensor G5 chip. It’s said to be 34 percent faster than the Tensor G4 chipset and it’s the first chipset that runs the Gemini Nano model. According to Google, that supports more than 20 generative AI experiences that run locally.

The user interface is in line for some changes too. The company says Material 3 will support expressive photo wallpapers, customizable quick settings and improved typography. All of that should look pretty good on the Actua display, which delivers up to 3,000 nits of brightness.

Google also claims that the Pixel 10’s battery can power the device for more than 30 hours, up from the 24-plus hours for which the Pixel 9 lineup was rated. When you use a 30W adapter, you’ll be able to charge the Pixel 10 to 55 percent of its capacity (i.e. 16-plus hours of use) in 30 minutes. In addition, the handset boasts a satin metal finish, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

The Pixel 10 will shelves on August 28. It starts at $799 and will be available in Obsidian, Frost, Lemongrass and Indigo colorways.

Read more about the Pixel 10.

Pixel 10 Pro / Pro 10 XL

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

How would you like that thing we just told you about but with higher specs and maybe a larger display? The Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL each boast a 50MP wide lens, a 48MP ultrawide and a 48MP 5x telephoto lens. Google claims this is its best camera system in a smartphone to date. There’s more memory in these models too, with 16GB of RAM versus 12GB in the base Pixel 10. (The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has 16GB of RAM too.)

The Super Actua displays are about 10 percent brighter than on the Pixel 9 Pro series, with 2,200 nits of full-screen brightness or 3,300 peak when viewing HDR content, and that’s while consuming less power than previous models. The Pixel 10 Pro has a 6.3-inch screen while the Pixel 10 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch display, and each has a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz.

As with the base Pixel 10, the Pro models are slated to have more than 30 hours of battery life on a single charge. The Pixel 10 Pro supports 30W fast charging, while you can top up a Pixel 10 Pro XL with 45W of fast charging. Both support Qi2, but in what’s said to be a first for a phone, the 10 Pro XL offers 25W wireless charging via Qi2.2 compatibility. The Pixel 10 Pro XL has upgraded speakers too, with what Google claims is loud and powerful bass, along with full and balanced stereo audio.

The Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL will be available in Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain and Obsidian colorways on August 28, with pre-orders opening up today. The Pixel 10 Pro starts at $999 for 128GB of storage and the Pixel 10 Pro XL will run you $1,199 for 256GB of storage.

Read more about the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Of course, there’s a fourth phone in the Pixel 10 lineup this fall. Google made durability a priority on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance (a first for a foldable, the company says). A new gearless hinge will help with that — Google says it’s twice as durable as the hinge in the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. In fact, the company claims the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is designed to handle over 10 years of folding.

The internal, eight-inch Super Actua Reflex display (said to be the largest on any phone), and outer 6.4-inch Actua display both deliver up to 3,000 nits of brightness. Google says it redesigned the interior with resilient, ultra-thin glass, along with dual anti-impact layers to help protect it from drops.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is said to have the largest battery in a foldable yet, with a 5,015mAh capacity. As with the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup, there’s Qi2 wireless charging support — an apparent first for a foldable. Alternatively, you’ll be able to charge the battery to half of its capacity in 30 minutes with a 30W adapter, Google says.

The triple-camera array includes a new 48MP main sensor, along with a 10.5MP ultrawide lens with macro focus and a 10.8MP telephoto lens. A feature called Instant View will show recently-taken pictures alongside the viewfinder. Google says it improved multitasking as well, with split-screen functionality that supports app resizing and the option to drag and drop files.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold comes in Moonstone and Jade colorways, but it’ll arrive later than the rest of the Pixel 10 family — it’s scheduled to land on October 9. It starts at $1,799 for 256GB of storage. If you’re willing to splash out more cash, though, you can have up to 1TB of onboard storage, the first time that’s been an option in a Pixel Pro Fold.

Read more about the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Pixelsnap

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

As mentioned above, all of the Pixel 10 devices have Qi2 wireless charging capabilities built-in, but Google is expanding on that with its own, long-awaited spin on MagSafe. Google’s take is called Pixelsnap. The company is offering a slew of magnetic accessories for Pixel 10 devices, including cases, a charging puck, charging stand and non-charging ring stand.

Read more about Pixelsnap.

AI updates

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

This being Google in the Gregorian calendar year of 2025, of course there are a bunch of AI features coming to the Pixel 10 lineup (some should trickle down to older models later). Magic Cue might be the handiest of the latest tools. This is said to deliver proactive suggestions based on your activity by pulling data from the likes of Gmail and Google Calendar.

For instance, if you’re calling your airline, Magic Cue might pull up your flight details. If a friend asks for the address of your Airbnb vacation rental, Magic Cue could bring that up to save you some time.

There are plenty of other AI tools on the way to Pixel 10 devices. I am an abysmal photographer, so Camera Coach sounds like it could be a genuinely useful feature for people like me. When you point the cameras at a subject or scene you want to capture, Gemini kicks into gear to analyze what the lenses are picking up. The feature will offer composition and framing suggestions, and suggest camera modes to employ. Gemini Live can offer visual guidance with on-screen overlays. 

Meanwhile, the Guided Frame feature will describe what the camera sees, primarily to assist blind and low-vision users. This is said to work on any scene and seems (at least on the surface) similar to services like Be My Eyes.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Other Pixel 10 AI camera tools include Auto Best Take, which can seemingly pick out the best group photo from multiple options. As for adjusting images, the Conversational Editing feature harnesses Gemini to help you tweak things using natural language voice prompts. You might ask it to adjust lighting, change the framing of a shot or remove objects, and hopefully Gemini will be able to handle those without a hitch. 

In addition, Pixel 10 devices are the first phones to implement C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) content credentials directly in the camera app. This is an industry standard labeling system for content that’s created or modified using generative AI.

Elsewhere, Pixel translation tools could be in line for a serious upgrade with Voice Translate. Google says this feature will be able to translate calls in real-time in your own voice.

Google has folded a new native audio model into Gemini Live that’s said to control the emotional tone and be capable of detecting a user’s emotions. AI could help you better manage your calls too. The Call Message function will keep missed and declined calls separate from spam, and offer real-time transcripts as well as suggestions for next steps. Gboard writing tools, Pixel Studio and NotebookLM integration are in line for updates too.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Last but not least, Pixel 10 devices have a Pixel Journal app that will remain private (following in Apple’s footsteps to a degree). The app harnesses AI to offer prompts that may help you track your progress and record your thoughts. 

Read more about the Pixel 10 AI features.

Pixel Watch 4

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Let’s move on from phones and take a gander at Google’s latest smartwatch. The Pixel Watch 4 has a new dome-style display that’s 10 percent larger than the screen on the Pixel Watch 3. It can reach up to 3,000 nits of brightness. Battery life is said to be improved too, with Google claiming it can power the wearable for up to 40 hours on a single charge. Google has also made it easier to replace the screen and battery this time around too, though we’ll have to see it in person before we can judge how easy it is to actually do.

Other features include satellite connectivity for emergencies (when you’re out of range of Wi-Fi and cell towers), an electrocardiogram app and irregular heart rhythm notifications. Google says the Pixel Watch 4 will be able to detect when a wearer’s heart stops beating and contact emergency services. There will also be an AI-based personal fitness coach. Fitbit Premium subscribers will be the first to gain access to that.

The Pixel Watch 4 will be available in in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm. It starts at $349 and will hit shelves on October 9.

Read more about the Pixel Watch 4 and AI personal fitness coach.

Pixel Buds 2a and Pixel Buds Pro 2 updates

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Google hasn’t forgotten about its earbuds here either. The company is releasing the the Pixel Buds 2a with active noise cancellation (ANC), powered by a Tensor A1 chip. Even with this upgrade, these are Google’s lightest and smallest A-Series earbuds to date.

They’re IP54 rated for dust and water resistance, while the charging case has an IPX4 rating. The Tensor A1 chip is also said to deliver improved quality for calls and other audio, while supporting Gemini and other AI features in the Pixel Buds 2a. These earbuds are said to have double the battery life of their predecessors at 10 hours on a single charge, with the case adding 17 hours of listening time (seven and 13 hours, respectively, when ANC is enabled). 

The Pixel Buds 2a will be available on October 9 in Hazel and Iris colorways. However, due to these upgrades, the Pixel Buds 2a will cost $130, which is $31 more than the previous generation.

Meanwhile, Google is offering the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in a new colorway, Moonstone, to match some of the Pixel 10 devices. A software update in September will introduce more features to the Pixel Buds Pro 2, including protection from certain sudden loud noises, the ability to adjust audio based on the volume of your surroundings, a way to answer or dismiss calls with head gestures and advanced audio processing for Gemini Live.

Read more about the Pixel Buds 2a and Pixel Buds Pro 2 updates.

Hands-on with the Pixel 10 lineup and Pixel Watch 4

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Ahead of the Made by Google event, we had a chance to go hands-on with the new devices. You can now check out our first impressions of:

Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL

Pixel 10 Pro Fold

Pixel Watch 4

If you’re interested in pre-ordering any of those — or the Pixel Buds 2a — we’ve got you covered with our pre-order guide.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/everything-announced-at-the-made-by-google-pixel-event-including-the-pixel-10-lineup-161155567.html?src=rss 

Google Pixel 10 phones will narc on AI-edited images

Google unveiled its Pixel 10 lineup today, and the company’s latest phones will be the first to implement industry-standard C2PA Content Credentials within the native camera app. This enables people to identify whether an image was edited using AI, confirming its authenticity (or lack thereof) to anyone looking at it.

The Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, or C2PA, designed an open technical standard that essentially enforces transparency on a piece of media, providing information on how it was created and what, if any, modifications have been made. Appearing as a digital watermark (the C2PA likens it to a nutrition label), Content Credentials will be present in all photos taken by a Pixel 10 camera, and that imprint will also be viewable by anyone using Google Photos.

The camera features on the latest Pixel phones are more pumped full of AI than ever, making it possible to apply edits in Google Photos using text or natural language voice prompts describing what you want. This in theory allows anyone lacking photo editing skills to bypass the manual process entirely, and by tapping on different parts of the photo you can get Gemini-powered suggestions on what edits to make.

Google joined the C2PA last year, assisting with the development of the latest version of Content Credentials and eventually building the tech into Google Search, so that any image containing CP2A metadata would be identifiable as such. The standard is now supported in Google Images, Lens and Circle to Search, as well as the Pixel 10 phones announced today. Content Credentials will gradually roll out to Android and iOS devices running Google Photos in the coming weeks.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-pixel-10-phones-will-narc-on-ai-edited-images-161757203.html?src=rss 

Xbox unveils its Handheld Compatibility Program

Microsoft announced Wednesday during Gamescom 2025 that not only will its Xbox Ally handhelds be released on October 16, but the company is spinning up a new initiative to support optimized gaming on these devices called the Handheld Compatibility Program.

The initiative seems to be similar to Valve’s Steam Deck Verified, where Xbox will test games to ensure their compatibility with the new Xbox Ally handhelds. “We have worked with game studios to test, optimize, and verify thousands of games for handheld compatibility, allowing you to jump into the game without having to tweak settings, or requiring only minor adjustments,” said Roanne Sones, CVP of Gaming Devices and Ecosystem at Xbox.

The program will be available on release day and users will be able to see handheld compatibility directly in their game libraries. Games will be badged as “Handheld Optimized,” indicating games with default controller inputs, appropriate resolution for full-screen play and more. Games badged as “Mostly Compatible” may require minor in-game setting adjustments for an optimal experience on the Xbox Ally handheld.

Microsoft says it will continue to partner with developers to submit their titles for handheld compatibility testing.

In addition to the “Handheld Optimized” badge, games will also be given a Windows Performance Fit indicator of either “Should play great” or “Should play well.” Microsoft says these signal “compatibility and performance fit,” but really it’s anyone’s best guess what that means or how it’s different from the Handheld Performance badge. We’ve reached out to Microsoft for additional details and will update if we hear back.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-unveils-its-handheld-compatibility-program-162635781.html?src=rss 

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