Google is expected to unveil the Pixel 10 lineup this August, but an early prototype of the phone has surfaced in an unexpected place – a Chinese auction – and revealed some intriguing details ahead of the official announcement. While the design seems familiar, there is a notable camera upgrade that could set this year’s Pixel apart.
The device in question appeared on the Chinese second-hand marketplace Goofish. According to the announcement, the prototype belongs to the Engineering Validation Testing (EVT) stage, although a closer look at the photos shows the “DVT” (Design Validation Test) mark, which usually indicates an earlier stage of the product development cycle.
One of the biggest takeaways from the leak is the confirmation of the upcoming Google Tensor G5 chip, which is said to be built on TSMC’s 3nm process. This should provide better efficiency and thermal performance compared to previous models.
In terms of design, the prototype hasn’t strayed far from the Pixel 9. It is still expected to feature a 6.3-inch flat OLED panel with thin bezels and Google’s signature horizontal camera strip on the back. However, the camera system has received a significant upgrade. Instead of the typical dual-lens system used in basic Pixel models, this device has three lenses: A 48-megapixel primary lens, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and – a first for non-professional Pixel models – a 10.8-megapixel (1/3.2-inch) 5x periscope telephoto lens. Previously, this zoom was only available for the Pro and Pixel Fold versions. This addition will undoubtedly greatly improve the clarity of photos taken with a long zoom, at least in sufficient light.
Of course, any information from auction announcements should be taken with a grain of salt. But with the rumored Made by Google event on August 20, where the Pixel Watch 4 is also expected to debut, we shouldn’t have to wait long for confirmation.
If the leak is confirmed, the Pixel 10 could offer a significant camera upgrade while retaining the clean design that Pixel users are familiar with. Whether this is enough to stand out in the crowded flagship market remains to be seen.
