The new Google Pixel 10 Pro is making waves in the smartphone photography arena with its innovative Pro Res Zoom feature, which utilizes advanced AI technology to enhance zoom capabilities up to an incredible 100x. Early comparisons between the Pixel 10 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra suggest that Google’s latest offering is leading the charge in long-distance zoom photography. This puts pressure on Apple to match or exceed these advancements with the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro.
As a passionate enthusiast of zoom photography, I am thrilled to see how Google leverages AI to enhance the photography experience on the new Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL. Having captured over 100,000 photographs on various smartphones, I understand the challenges of achieving professional-like images. Historically, long-distance zoom shots have been problematic, often necessitating a more substantial camera setup, such as a Sony mirrorless camera.
With the release of the Pixel 10 Pro, Google is improving its Pro Res Zoom feature by integrating the new Tensor G5 chip and its largest AI model to date. This combination aims to capture intricate details and significantly enhance the quality of zoom shots, allowing photographers to achieve stunning results even at higher magnifications.
In a recent test conducted by ZDNET’s Kerry Wan, the zoom capabilities of the Pixel 10 Pro were compared to those of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The results indicated that the Pixel's zoom functionality delivers a far more usable image, free from the grainy and pixelated artifacts that often plague digital zooms. This promising performance has already set the Pixel 10 Pro apart as a leader in smartphone zoom photography.
Having regularly used the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 16 Pro Max, I can attest to the limitations of their zoom capabilities. Both devices tend to produce pixelated images beyond their 5x and 10x zoom ranges, which are equivalent to approximately 120mm and 200mm focal lengths on full-frame cameras, respectively. The new 100x zoom on the Pixel 10 Pro surpasses the capabilities of these existing smartphone models, potentially matching or exceeding professional camera performance in this arena.
During the Pixel 10 hardware launch, Google showcased a compelling example of the 100x zoom in action, demonstrating its impressive usability. However, it remains to be seen how the Pixel’s Pro Res Zoom performs in low-light situations, and I look forward to testing its capabilities further in diverse lighting conditions.
If Google can refine its Pro Res Zoom technology to consistently produce high-quality images, it would represent a significant advancement in smartphone photography. This innovation could redefine how we approach digital zoom photography, making it a more practical option for capturing high-quality images.
As we anticipate the announcement of the iPhone 17 Pro in September, many are eager to see if Apple will introduce comparable AI enhancements to its zoom photography capabilities. Currently, Google stands as the frontrunner in computational photography, and the competition is heating up.
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