What the keynote at Google I/O 2025 reveals about the Google Pixel 10

      If it wasn't clear before, this year's Google I/O showcased that AI is indeed the future of Android. The event provided us with our first glimpse of Android XR smart glasses, a new headset, and an advanced video conferencing kit. However, a significant absence among all the exciting product announcements was the upcoming Pixel 10 series smartphones.

      Traditionally, I/O events focus less on hardware, and this year was no different, with a stronger emphasis on mobile user features rather than desktop enhancements. The absence of the Pixel phones was particularly noticeable, especially since Google's demonstrations frequently highlighted Gemini AI advancements on a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.

      This was rather surprising. After all, Google promotes the Pixel lineup as an AI phone. So why was there no emphasis on the Pixel 9 Pro or its foldable counterpart, which are among the top Android smartphones? Why not provide a sneak peek of the Pixel 10 and generate some excitement?

      Though Google hasn't specified the reasoning, it's likely they are reserving the anticipation for a grand launch event in the months to come. Nonetheless, Google I/O offered a solid preview of the software experience that will be seen in the Pixel 10 series, including Android 16 and various AI features.

      Camera upgrades take center stage

      Typically, there are two main reasons to invest in a Pixel phone: exceptional camera quality and the latest Android features. Google has already set the groundwork for enhanced creative control in the camera app during the Android 16 beta phase. Some upgrades involve software-assisted improvements for low-light photography.

      The update to the Camera2 API introduces a new hybrid auto exposure system, allowing users to easily adjust ISO and exposure levels, as well as fine-tune tint and color settings. If the photographic modes are comparable to those on the iPhone 16 Pro and the Galaxy S25 series, we can expect similar quality from the Pixel 10 series.

      Notably, these camera upgrades will come with improved battery efficiency. With the introduction of a new native PCM offloading pipeline, Google claims the onboard digital signal processor will manage audio playback processing more effectively, thereby preserving battery life during video and audio recording.

      High-resolution video capture is resource-intensive for phones, and I'm eager to see what enhancements Google will bring to the Pixel 10. In a developer-focused session, Google also provided insights into the CameraX and Media3 stack.

      The Pixel 10 series is expected to deliver a more adaptable Android experience, allowing users to modify aspect ratios and video resolutions. The Media3 effect connector will facilitate creative filter applications. A particularly intriguing feature is the concurrent camera system that supports dual camera streams.

      Leaks indicate that the hardware in the Pixel 10 series won't significantly surpass that of the Pixel 9 family, suggesting a stronger focus on software enhancements. And this leads us to…

      AI improvements

      Among the standout announcements at I/O 2025 was the introduction of the Veo 3 AI model, capable of producing photorealistic videos accompanied by appropriate audio. However, the noteworthy update was to the older Veo 2 model, designed specifically for smartphones.

      Users can now provide image and video samples as style references, dictate camera movements (such as rotation, zoom, dolly), widen the frame, and manipulate objects within videos. While these capabilities may be feasible on smartphones, it's unclear if they will be processed on the device itself.

      Image-to-video generation is already available on the Honor 400 series, and Veo video generation can be done within the Gemini mobile app. Meanwhile, the new Imagen 4 model has enhanced photorealism and typography, offering outputs at 2K resolution.

      The logical place for these AI photo and video updates is the native Pixel camera or the Photos app. Imagine uploading a photo and having its style influence your subsequent photos and videos. You'd be able to switch from portrait to landscape framing and tailor the objects featured in the videos.

      These AI editing features currently exist for photos, and I wouldn't be surprised if Google markets them as a key attraction of the Pixel 10. I just hope these features are not exclusive to the Pro models, considering all versions will likely utilize the same silicon.

      Shifting away from apps

      Google has previously established a system called apps (once known as extensions) that allow Gemini to interact with connected platforms. This includes fetching information from Gmail, adding items to Tasks, managing WhatsApp interactions, and more. While its adoption is still evolving, the Pixel 10 will introduce more agentic capabilities beyond traditional apps.

      The core of this initiative is Project Mariner, activated through the AI mode in the Search app. Initially, it can handle tasks like booking tickets, making reservations, or shopping based on simple text commands, such as “find me three tickets to the Arsenal game on Sunday, preferring cheaper seats.”

      Instead of requiring users to sift through Google searches and booking apps, Project Mariner will manage these tedious elements. Impressively, AI mode will also examine tickets and reservations in the user's Gmail inbox (and