Google's annual hardware event combo: Pixel 10 fully integrates Gemini AI, watches and headphones also "evolve"

On August 20th, Eastern Time, Google launched a new lineup of consumer devices at its annual hardware event Made by Google 2025, including the next generation of smartphones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds, further integrating its hardware with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

The newly released product line includes four smartphones from the Pixel 10 series— the Pixel 10 starting at $799, the Pixel 10 Pro starting at $999, the Pixel 10 Pro XL starting at $1,199, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold starting at $1,799, as well as the Pixel Watch 4 smartwatch starting at $349.99 and the Pixel Buds 2a wireless earbuds priced at $129.

The new series of smartphones are all equipped with the Tensor G5 processor, and Google has deeply integrated its Gemini AI assistant, introducing innovative AI features such as Magic Cue and Camera Coach.

Among the new products, the three regular Pixel 10 smartphones will be available this month, while the foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4, and Pixel Buds 2a will not be released until October. This means that most new smartphones will hit the market several weeks ahead of the accompanying smartwatch, and the new generation of foldable phones may launch later than Apple's iPhone 17 series, which is expected to be released in September.

This launch comes at a time when competition between Google and Apple in the AI field is intensifying. Google recently released advertisements mocking Apple's delay in upgrading Siri, promoting the Pixel 10 series with the slogan "Ask more of your phone," seizing market opportunities ahead of Apple's annual major hardware event in September.

Commentators believe that despite the ambitious launch of AI features, Google still faces severe challenges in increasing its market share in the smartphone sector, lagging far behind leading Android brands like Samsung and Motorola. So far, AI features have not significantly driven growth momentum for the Pixel series, and consumers have not accelerated their phone upgrade pace as a result.

Entire Series Equipped with Gemini AI Assistant

Google positions Gemini AI as an intelligent platform that goes beyond traditional chatbots or voice assistants. In the Pixel 10 series, AI features are integrated throughout the system, designed to be more proactive and intelligent. Two core new features, Magic Cue and Camera Coach, are available on all four models.

Magic Cue aims to provide useful contextual suggestions at appropriate moments. For example, when a user calls a hotel they have booked, the phone app will automatically display booking details; when a friend asks about dinner plans, the messaging app will extract information from Gmail, Google Calendar, and other apps to automatically suggest a reply; when someone asks to share travel photos, Magic Cue will automatically find relevant images in Google Photos Camera Coach brings the largest scale of AI integration to camera applications. This feature provides different shooting composition suggestions and uses generative AI to preview various shooting effects in real-time. Suggestions change in real-time based on the scene or subject, recommending overhead angles when shooting food and reminding to avoid distracting elements like window frames when capturing indoor cityscapes or sunsets.

The Pixel 10 Series Features Four Distinct Models

The standard Pixel 10 looks similar to last year's Pixel 9, with the biggest change being the addition of a telephoto lens in the camera area, a feature previously limited to the Pro models. The new lens offers 5x optical zoom, forming a triple-camera system along with the regular and ultra-wide lenses. The brightness of the OLED screen has been increased to 3000 nits, and the sound quality has also improved.

The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL maintain essentially the same hardware specifications in the 6.3-inch and 6.8-inch versions, with higher RAM capacity than the standard version (16GB vs. 12GB) and superior camera performance. The Pro version's display can reach a maximum brightness of 3300 nits, and the XL version is equipped with the best speakers in the series.

The Pro series introduces the Pro Res Zoom photography feature, which uses AI to make distant subjects clearer, but it will generate details that were not actually captured, so these photos will have an AI watermark. This feature is trained to avoid enhancing people, which may result in clear backgrounds but blurry subjects.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is Google's third-generation foldable phone, focusing on improving durability and detail optimization. Although it is not as thick as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, it may be more resistant to wear and tear in daily use.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, a first for foldable phones sold in the U.S. market. Its outer screen bezel has been narrowed, increasing the display size from 6.3 inches to 6.4 inches, while the inner screen remains at 8 inches. The battery capacity has increased, and with a more efficient processor, battery life is improved. Based on an average of folding 50 times a day, Google claims the Pixel 10 Pro Fold can withstand ten years of folding use.

Google specifically mentioned that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a "split-screen" feature, allowing users to use different applications on two screens. For example, if a user wants to plan a trip with friends, they can compare flight details in one screen's app while checking hotel booking status in another screen's app.

Full Series Upgraded Chips and Charging Technology

The entire Pixel 10 product lineup is powered by the Google Tensor G5 chip, manufactured by TSMC, changing the previous practice of being produced by Samsung. According to Google, the Tensor G5's performance has improved by an average of 34%, with dedicated AI chip functionality enhanced by 60% This transformation is expected to solve the overheating problem of older models.

Google has also introduced support for the Qi2 wireless charging standard, with all four Pixel 10 models featuring magnetic attachment technology for easy connection to accessories like stands or detachable handles. Google is the first major Android phone manufacturer to integrate Qi2 in this way, launching the "Pixelsnap" brand accessory series, which is designed to be cross-platform compatible with Apple's MagSafe accessory series.

Google has released a series of magnetic accessories compatible with the Pixelsnap product line, including a Pixelsnap charger priced at $40 that supports Qi2 wireless charging. The company also launched a phone case priced at $50 with a magnetic ring in the middle, and a magnetic ring stand priced at $30 that allows for hands-free use.

Pixel Watch 4 Charging Enhancement Pixel Buds 2a

The most noticeable change in the Pixel Watch 4 is the charging method: a new connector has been added to the side, allowing the device to be placed on a stand for charging while keeping the time or tools fully visible. This is more elegant than the previous circular charger that adhered to the bottom of the watch, and the charging speed has also increased by 25%.

The peak brightness of the screen has been increased to 3000 nits, with the 45mm version offering a battery life of 40 hours and the 41mm version providing 30 hours. Google has also emphasized repairability, allowing users to replace the display and battery. The Pixel Watch 4 supports emergency satellite communication, which Google claims is a first for smartwatches.

The Pixel Buds 2a are Google's latest entry-level wireless earbuds, which add active noise cancellation compared to the previous generation A series products, and introduce new colors: hazelnut and iris, with prices rising from $99 to nearly $130.

The high-end Pixel Buds Pro 2 are priced at $229 and introduce a new Gemini feature that allows users to answer calls with gestures, along with a new moonstone color.