Pixel 10 features tease

As Google gears up for the Pixel 10, the push to revive a key perk could redefine how the phone competes with Apple.

Pixel 10 must outshine iPhone 17 with a bold move

Google is set to unveil the Pixel 10 lineup at an event on August 20. The expected lineup includes the base Pixel 10, the Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Upgrades listed for the series include faster charging at 60W across all models and a telephoto camera on the base Pixel 10, with a possible IP68 rating for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Apple is anticipated to respond with the iPhone 17 in early September, heightening the race for meaningful differentiators beyond hardware.

A long standing debate around the Pixel line is whether Google should revive unlimited Google Photos storage. The original Pixel phones offered free unlimited full resolution storage, a perk ended in 2021. Since then storage is capped by Google Drive, with the 15GB free tier and Google One options driving revenue for Google. While the idea of unlimited storage is appealing, there is no solid evidence Google plans to bring it back; the feature would have wide cost and policy implications for the company.

Beyond storage, the article notes Google has previously bundled Gemini Advanced for a year with higher end Pixel models, a perk that could be extended to the base Pixel 10. If Google positions Gemini AI as a core value at the $799 price point, it could tilt the competitive balance with Apple Intelligence, which has its own cadence of updates and automation features. The core question remains whether Google can offer a compelling mix of hardware and software that makes the Pixel 10 feel not just competitive but irresistibly useful.

The Pixel 10 faces a crowded field. Google can no longer rely on novelty alone. A return to unlimited storage would be a bold signal about value, but it would also upend Google One economics and cloud revenue. More sustainable is to include strong AI features as a standard perk, if supported by fair pricing. Bundling Gemini Advanced with the base model could set a practical standard that separates the Pixel from rivals without sacrificing margins. Yet Google must balance nostalgia with a clear path to continued innovation in software and services.

The broader trend is clear: hardware gains matter, but software, AI capability, and cloud services increasingly decide a device winner. Pixel needs a distinctive edge that stays relevant as Apple accelerates its own AI and camera storytelling. If Google leans into a value proposition that couples useful AI with reliable hardware, it may create a durable gap that lasts beyond the September reveal season.

Highlights

The Pixel 10 story will hinge on evidence of real value delivered through software and services, not just specs.