Google Pixel 10 and 11 may feature major camera and AI enhancements

Future Pixel innovations: Google’s ambitious roadmap for camera and AI upgrades: Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 and Pixel 11 smartphones are set to receive significant enhancements in camera capabilities and AI features, according to leaked internal documents.

Pixel 10 camera improvements:

• The Pixel 10 series, expected to launch in 2025, will reportedly feature the new Tensor G5 chipset.
• A major upgrade includes support for 4K 60fps HDR video recording, an improvement over the Pixel 9’s 30fps limitation.
• The Tensor G5 chip is said to be capable of running stable Diffusion-based models locally, potentially enabling on-device AI-powered image processing.

Pixel 11’s revolutionary camera features:

• Slated for a 2026 release, the Pixel 11 lineup is rumored to offer even more advanced camera capabilities.
• A standout feature is the reported 100x zoom functionality for both photos and videos, powered by Machine Learning algorithms.
• The device may include a ‘next-gen’ telephoto camera to complement the enhanced zoom capabilities.
• Cinematic Blur is expected to receive an upgrade, supporting 4K 30fps and introducing a new ‘Video relight’ feature for manipulating lighting conditions in videos.
• An “Ultra Low Light Video” mode, also referred to as “Night Sight Video,” is said to be in development, utilizing on-device processing for improved low-light video quality.

AI-powered features and editing tools:

• Google is exploring various AI features for future Pixel devices, including:
  • Speak-to-Tweak: A potential LLM-based editing tool.
  • Sketch-to-Image: A feature that could transform sketches or drawings into fully rendered images.
  • ‘Magic Mirror’: A mysterious feature with limited information available.
• The Tensor G5 chip may enable ‘Video Generative ML’ features, described as “Post-capture Generative AI-based intuitive video editing for the Photos app.”
• This AI-powered video editing functionality could potentially extend to the YouTube app for Shorts creation.

Tensor G6 and advanced always-on features:

• The Tensor G6 chip, expected to power the Pixel 11 series, may include a “nanoTPU” enabling various ML-based always-on features.
• These features could include detection of agonal breathing, sleep apnea, cough, snore, sneeze, fall detection, gait analysis, and sleep stages monitoring.
• An emergency sound event detection system is also reportedly in development.

Enhanced face unlock for Pixel 11:

• The Pixel 11 series may feature an improved face unlock system capable of functioning in low-light conditions.
• This advancement is attributed to the Tensor G6’s Image Signal Processor (ISP), which might support an under-display IR camera system designed for power efficiency.

Broader implications: As Google continues to push the boundaries of smartphone technology, these reported upgrades could significantly impact the competitive landscape of the mobile industry, potentially forcing other manufacturers to accelerate their own AI and camera innovations to keep pace with Pixel devices.