Google (GOOG, GOOGL) used its Made by Google event in New York on Wednesday to debut its newest generation of hardware, headlined by the Pixel 10 smartphone family and the Pixel Watch 4. The Pixel 10 lineup marks a major refresh across Google’s mobile offerings and highlights how the company is weaving its Gemini AI tools deeper into its ecosystem.
The Pixel 10 Lineup
This year’s smartphone release includes four models: the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
- Pixel 10 (starting at $799) now includes three rear cameras instead of two, adding a 5x telephoto lens to its setup. It features a 6.3-inch display, the new Tensor G5 processor, 12GB of RAM, and storage options starting at 256GB.
- Pixel 10 Pro (starting at $999) raises the bar with 16GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, and an upgraded triple-camera array. The display gets a sharper finish, while the phone runs on the same Tensor G5 chip as the standard model.
- Pixel 10 Pro XL delivers nearly identical specs to the Pro but stretches out to a 6.8-inch display with a slightly larger battery. Google says all three non-folding models will last more than 30 hours on a single charge.
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold
The most eye-catching device of the launch is the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Google’s book-style foldable. It features a redesigned hinge that improves durability, adds water- and dust-resistance, and enables slimmer bezels for its larger 6.4-inch front display. When unfolded, the phone expands to an 8-inch tablet-like screen for streaming, gaming, or productivity.
Priced at $1,799, the Pro Fold undercuts Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 by $200, though Samsung’s device is thinner and lighter. The battle between the two flagships will test whether Google can make meaningful inroads in the foldable market.
AI at the Center: Magic Cue
Google is leaning heavily on AI as a differentiator. Its new Magic Cue assistant integrates across apps to anticipate user needs. For instance:
- If a friend texts asking about dinner reservations, Magic Cue can automatically surface the details from Gmail.
- When calling an airline, flight information appears on-screen without switching apps.
- The Weather app personalizes updates by checking your Calendar—for example, alerting you if rain is forecast during a planned trip to Yellowstone and offering advice like how to protect electronics.
Google emphasized that Magic Cue processes data locally on-device in a secure enclave, and apps cannot access the data unless permission is granted.
Pixel Watch 4
Alongside its phones, Google launched the Pixel Watch 4, available in 41mm and 45mm sizes starting at $349. It features a domed display with a larger viewing area, 25% better battery life, and LTE support. Importantly, it’s also the first commercial smartwatch to support standalone emergency satellite communication, aimed at hikers or outdoor enthusiasts who may find themselves in remote areas without cell service.
Strategy and Outlook
While hardware sales aren’t the main profit driver for Google, the company uses its Pixel devices to showcase the power of its software, services, and AI platforms. Still, the Pixel line has earned a reputation for high performance and camera quality, putting it in contention among the top smartphones available.
With this year’s updates—especially the new foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold and the AI-powered Magic Cue—Google is betting it can not only keep pace with rivals like Samsung and Apple, but also carve out a distinct AI-first identity in the smartphone market.