What's the Google Pixel 10 Telephoto Macro Camera?

Described as “the most personalized, proactive, and helpful Pixels ever,” the Pixel 10 series was officially announced on August 20, 2025, at the annual Made by Google event. Google’s latest phones include the base Pixel 10 and three Pro models: the Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

With an IP68 water resistance rating, the Pixel 10 is twice as durable as the Pixel 8. It features a sturdy spacecraft-grade aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass. Inside, the brand-new Google Tensor G5 chip supports a longer 24-hour + battery life and improved AI features. Many of these features are exclusive to the Pixel 10 series, including everything from the Gemini Live AI assistant to Magic Cue’s in-context support.

But the real star of the Pixel show is a new Telephoto lens, featuring technology that takes high-quality macro shots like never before. In this article, we’ll explain the benefits of the Pixel 10’s upgraded camera setup and why you should consider investing this year.

What is the Google Pixel 10’s Telephoto Camera?

The Pixel 10 features a new 10.8 megapixel, 5x Telephoto lens for macro photos. This lens allows you to capture shots from both close up and far away, while preventing you from blocking the light.

Most flagship smartphones, including the Google Pixel 9, have just one macro mode that can be accessed through the Ultrawide camera.

But what makes the Pixel 10 so unique is its two modes to achieve the best-quality photos possible: one with the Ultrawide camera and another with Macro Focus mode through the new Telephoto camera. This long-focus lens uses a narrow angle of view to bring distant subjects closer, therefore creating better-quality images.

The Telephoto sensor’s minimum focusing distance is further than the Ultrawide, so both work together to take great photos no matter how far you’re standing from the subject.

The only other recent smartphone to offer this ‘Tele-macro’ lens was the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. However, it hasn't featured on a Galaxy Z Fold device or any other Samsung phone since.

The Pixel 10’s Camera app also features two zoom presets: one at 2x, which is a cropped version of the primary camera, and 5x. In contrast, the base Pixel 9 featured just a 2x optical zoom and didn’t have a dedicated Telephoto lens.

Optimized specifically for the Tensor G5, it also provides up to 20x Super Res Zoom, compared to the Pixel 9’s 8x. This enhanced zoom captures more intricate details from further away, creating sharper photos of everything from landscapes and faraway buildings to wildlife.

Paired with the 11% brighter Actua display (which is much easier on the eyes than the Pixel 9’s screen!), the Pixel 10’s Telephoto zoom technology enhances the overall photography experience, even in direct sunlight.

Have Any Other Pixel 10 Cameras Been Upgraded?

With its new Telephoto macro camera, the Pixel 10 is the first standard Pixel to have a triple rear camera system. The third Telephoto lens is usually only featured on the Pro models! This means the base Pixel 10 now offers a wide range of focal lengths for you to shoot at.

While this new Google phone may include a third Telephoto lens, it unfortunately comes with some sacrifices to the other cameras. This includes the 48 MP Main camera and 13 MP Ultrawide camera, which are significantly downgraded from the Pixel 9:

• 50 MP Main camera

• 48 MP Ultrawide with Macro Focus 

However, the 10.5 MP Front selfie camera does stay, along with 4k video recording. The Pixel 9 also only featured Super Res Zoom up to 8x, while this year’s model reaches up to 20x. The Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL also keep the same camera setups as the previous generation, with the following lenses:

• 50 MP Main camera

• 48 MP Ultrawide camera

• 48 MP 5x Telephoto lens 

The only change for the Pro models is with Pro Res Zoom, which now goes up to an impressive 100x, versus the Pixel 9 Pro’s 30x!

However, Google AI more than makes up for the compromises made on the base model. A variety of new camera AI features have been introduced exclusively for the Pixel 10 series, which we’ll explore in the next section!

How Does Pixel AI Work with the Google Pixel 10 Telephoto Camera?

Gemini, Google’s Pixel AI model, and the Telephoto camera combine on the Pixel 10 to provide improved photo quality both up close and far away. This is facilitated by the 34% faster Tensor G5 chip, which allows Gemini to run on the phone itself.

Better lenses, sensors, and zoom technology are supported by machine learning technology, which works with this upgraded hardware to create great AI cameras — including the Pixel 10’s Telephoto camera.

So, what’s the result? Enhanced by Google’s custom-built Tensor G5 processor, the Pixel 10 blends professional camera capabilities with advanced editing software that’s easy to use, all from your smartphone. Enjoy everything from unwanted object removal to taking sharp photos in low light. Google AI even provides helpful photography tips!

Some of the most exciting photograph and video AI features you’ll find on the Pixel 10 series include:

• Camera Coach: Offers step-by-step guidance and tips for lighting, composition, and more to help you take better photos.

• Video Boost: With the best video stabilization on a smartphone, Video Boost takes higher-quality videos with better lighting, colors, and details. 

• Auto Best Take: Activates when the Pixel 10 senses you’re taking a group photo. Analyzes up to 150 frames in seconds to help you capture the perfect image with just one shot, automatically blending several photos when it can’t find one good take.

• Guided Frame: Now uses Gemini AI to offer more detailed descriptions about the things the camera sees when you take a photo, including audio hints and scene descriptions. 

• Add Me: Includes the whole group in your pictures — even the person taking the photo!

• Night Sight: Powered by Video Boost, Night Sight delivers crisp videos in low-light conditions.

• Magic Editor: Easily makes complex photo edits, from removing objects to changing backgrounds.

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Final Thoughts

Many smartphone companies focus mostly on their Main and Ultrawide cameras, often neglecting the Telephoto lens. That’s why Google is undoubtedly changing the game with its Telephoto macro camera, offering one of the best triple rear camera setups on the market right now.

Whether you’re a budding professional photographer or are simply hoping to improve your camera capabilities, the Google Pixel 10 series is a great choice. It makes a great upgrade from the Pixel 9, delivering even more photography possibilities that weren’t an option on last year’s model. 

The series officially launched on August 28, 2025, meaning it’s available to try out right now. Check out our iPhone 17 camera review to see how Apple’s latest model compares!