Pixel 10 Pro adds 10x zoom button

Google adds a long awaited 10x zoom button to the Pixel 10 Pro camera app, improving long range shooting.

Pixel 10 Pro adds 10x zoom button in camera app

Google has added a dedicated 10x zoom button to the Pixel 10 Pro camera app. The Pixel 10 Pro already supports a high resolution 5x periscope camera, which can produce 10x shots at native resolution when the center crop is used. Previously, users relied on a finicky zoom slider that often did not snap exactly to 10x, sometimes requiring software tricks that could introduce artifacts.

The update follows feedback from reviewers and a December 2024 Android Authority poll showing strong demand for a direct 10x option. With the new control, Pixel owners can access long range shots more reliably and directly, aligning the software experience with the device's optical capabilities.

The move reflects a broader push toward aligning camera hardware strengths with cleaner software controls. A direct 10x button reduces reliance on crop-based approaches and aggressive upscaling, which can degrade detail in less-than-ideal lighting. It also signals Google is listening to user feedback and willing to tweak the software surface to showcase existing hardware advantages. In a market where small UX tweaks can tilt buying decisions, this is a low-risk upgrade with potential for meaningful perception shifts among Pixel fans.

If Google sustains this pace, future Pixel updates could lean more on intuitive camera UX as a differentiator rather than relying solely on hardware specs. The challenge will be maintaining consistency across models and avoiding feature bloat that crowds out everyday use.

Highlights

The camera UX is catching up with the hardware prowess of the Pixel 10 line.