TL;DR
Google has revealed that the Pixel 10 Pro phones can shoot high-resolution, 50MP portrait mode images.
This is a welcome addition if you’d like to crop after the fact or print an image.
Unfortunately, this feature only applies to the main camera.
Google’s Pixel 10 phones have a few notable camera improvements and additions, making them stand out from other flagship Android phones. However, the Pro phones also have a new option in portrait mode.
Google says the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL both offer a 50MP portrait mode option via the main camera. The company claims these are the highest-resolution portraits of any smartphone, but they’re actually catching up to a rival brand in this regard rather than beating them.
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The admittedly China-only vivo X200 Ultra already offers 50MP portrait modes via both the main and tele cameras. By contrast, Google only offers high-resolution portraits via the main camera. That’s not the best decision on Google’s part, as the main camera isn’t typically the preferred sensor for portrait shots. These cameras give you a wider shot than you might like, while often featuring a deep depth-of-field (i.e., more of the scene in focus). The latter characteristic means smartphone makers have to lean on software processing to blur the background, potentially leading to depth estimation issues. Meanwhile, many flagship phones today have telephoto cameras with large sensors and relatively wide apertures, enabling a shallow depth-of-field for more natural bokeh effects.
However, Google says the Pixel 10 Pro phones offer an “updated algorithm” for both 50MP and 12MP portrait modes. The algorithm apparently offers improved detail, depth estimation, and segmentation, “especially around hair.” Google also told us during a Tensor G5 briefing that the chip indeed offers “advanced” segmentation. This allows it to identify individual elements in portrait images, such as skin, lips, and eyes. So it seems like the company is addressing some of our concerns.
Nevertheless, the Pixel 10 Pro line’s 50MP portrait mode option could be useful if you’d like to print some snaps. This high resolution could also be handy if you want to crop the image after the fact. But we hope Google brings 48MP portraits to the tele camera for maximum flexibility.
Google Pixel 10
Very promising battery specs • 6.3-inch display • Loaded with Google AI features
Baseline excellence.
The Google Pixel 10 is the 6.3-inch base model of the in-house Android phones from Google. With plenty of high-speed storage options, a good amount of RAM, and the all-new Tensor G5 processor, it should blow through your mobile computing tasks with ease. A triple camera system includes standalone ultrawide and telephoto lenses, and a 50MP main sensor.
Google Pixel 10 Pro
Top-tier specs with small display • Satellite SOS • Powerful AI tools • Bright display
More power in the smaller form-factor
The Google Pixel 10 Pro marks a new trend. As the medium model in the Pixel 10 line, it offers top-tier specifications with the smaller 6.3-inch display. Diverging from previous Pixel series’ trend of the medium phone being a large display with low-tier specs. We’re excited for the Tensor G5 chipset, high-resolution display, UFS 4.0 storage options, big 16GB of RAM, and the AI-powered triple camera setup with 50MP main sensor.
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
Biggest non-folding Pixel phone • Best specs and AI features
Ultimate power from the Pixel 10 line
The most powerful option from the Pixel 10 line is the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. With a 6.8-inch display, Tensor G5 shipset, 16GB of RAM, UFS 4.0 storage options, a powerful triple camera setup, and a battery in excess of 5,000mAh, you should be able to power through any task in your day.
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
Top-tier specs • IP68 rating • 6.4-inch outer and 8-inch inner displays
Thinner, more powerful, and a bigger display
The Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold combines a 6.4-inch front display with a folding 8-inch inner panel for two capable viewing experiences. With the Tensor G5 shipset, 16GB of RAM, and lots of UFS 4.0 storage options, it matches the Pixel 10 Pro XL in terms of specifications and performance. The folding phone also offers a triple camera setup, plenty of powerful AI features, wireless charging, and an IP68 rating.
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