The first renders of the Pixel 10 series have surfaced, and while the design doesn’t look all that different from the Pixel 9, there’s one big change: the base Pixel 10 might be getting a third camera. That’s a pretty big deal, considering the extra telephoto lens has always been one of the main reasons to go for the “Pro” model. So, if the standard Pixel 10 is getting a telephoto camera, what’s left to make the Pro worth buying?
A new camera setup that raises questions
For years, Google’s Pixel lineup has had a pretty clear distinction: the Pro models come with three cameras, while the regular Pixel sticks to two. That’s been one of the biggest ways Google differentiates the two models, aside from the Pro’s better display and extra RAM. But if the Pixel 10 is now getting a third sensor—claimed to be a periscope-style telephoto lens—that could completely shake up Google’s pricing and product strategy.
That said, there’s a good chance this isn’t a full-fledged periscope lens like the one found in the Pro models. Google probably wouldn’t put the same high-end telephoto camera in the base model, as it would blur the lines between the two. Instead, the Pixel 10’s third lens could be a lower-end 2x or 3x telephoto camera, which would still add zooming capabilities without fully matching the Pro’s 5x periscope zoom.
How Google could keep the Pro model relevant
If the base Pixel 10 gets a telephoto lens, Google will need to find new ways to justify the higher price of the Pro models. A few possibilities could be:
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Upgraded main sensor – Google could give the Pro model a better primary camera, creating a bigger quality gap.
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More storage – The Pro models could start at 512GB instead of 256GB.
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Battery upgrades – Faster charging or silicon-carbon batteries could be exclusive to the Pro models.
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More advanced Face Unlock – Adding extra security features to differentiate them further.
Without some kind of separation, the Pixel 10 Pro—especially the smaller Pro model—could feel redundant, making its price hard to justify.
Google’s messy pricing strategy
The Pixel lineup has already been tricky to navigate. Last year, Google had last-gen models priced similarly to new releases, creating a confusing situation for buyers. If the Pixel 10 lineup blurs the line between the standard and Pro models, it could make things even messier.
Google has some big decisions to make. If it’s adding a third camera to the Pixel 10, it needs to give the Pro models more exclusive features—or risk making them a tough sell.
