Pixel 10 Event: 6 Google Wishlist Items for 2025
- Google's big hardware showcase, Made By Google, is set for Aug.
- With four new Pixel phones, a new Pixel watch, and new Pixel earphones on deck, there's a lot to look forward to.
- Phone manufacturers like Google spend a great deal of time designing and building beautifully crafted devices—only for them to be hidden behind a hideous plastic case.
Google’s big hardware showcase, Made By Google, is set for Aug. 20. Thanks to teasers from Google and leaks from internet sleuths, we already know plenty about what Google has in store.
With four new Pixel phones, a new Pixel watch, and new Pixel earphones on deck, there’s a lot to look forward to. After using the Pixel 9 series devices, the Pixel Watch 3, and the Pixel Buds for a year, we have a few things we’d like Google to change or update. Here’s what we’re hoping to see at the Made by Google event this year.
What We Can Expect from the Made By Google Pixel Event
1. A Stronger Pixel Phone
Google Pixel 9 Pro (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Phone manufacturers like Google spend a great deal of time designing and building beautifully crafted devices—only for them to be hidden behind a hideous plastic case. I’d like Google to build a Pixel that can survive the trials and tribulations of daily life without an extra layer of protection. That means a tougher frame, better impact resistance, and materials that can take a hit without showing wear or shattering.
The current IP68 rating that most flagship smartphones have is fine for protection against dust and water, but it doesn’t help when the phone hits the sidewalk. I want to see real-world durability that’s obvious beyond lab tests. Give me a more rugged device (like the Sonim XP or Samsung XCover7 Pro), even if it adds a few grams of weight.
Corning and other glass makers have done a great job with Gorilla Glass, but it’s time for a generationally tougher material so we can use our phones without a case and without worry.
2. Improved Audio From the Pixel Buds
Google Buds Pro 2 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
The Pixel Buds A are good, but they’ve been around more than four years now, and the competition has surpassed them in audio and performance. Apple, Boseand Sony all make earbuds that block out more ambient sound than Google’s budget buds, but we’re confident that Google has the software talent to catch up here.
I want the rumored Pixel Buds 2a to make a subway train, airplane cabin, or noisy café better fade into the background so I can enjoy my music. Since good active noise cancellation (ANC) relies on algorithms, Google could use its advanced AI capabilities to filter out the chuff and offer the most personalized ANC on the market. We’d also like to see more Gemini features baked into the buds.
3. Longer Battery Life for … Everything
Pixel Watch 3 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
The Pixel Watch is still young compared with the Apple Watch and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch line. Google’s platform and hardware could use more time to mature here. Even so, I’d like to see stronger battery life, ideally reaching a second day (or more) without having to resort to low-power mode. The display is already sharp and bright, but thinner bezels would make it look more modern. If Google can match or beat its rivals’ fast-charging speeds, that would help users who forget to plug in overnight. But getting through two days would be a good place to start.
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Then there are the phones. Google’s Pixel 9 series ranks well below the Apple iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25 families when it comes to battery life. Google needs to make some serious efficiency improvements to push battery life closer to the competition. I can only hope that the expected Tensor G5 chip, which reports suggest may shift away from Samsung Exynos processors, will deliver those efficiencies.
4. Snappier Software and AI
Google Pixel 9 Pro (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Google has been developing AI features for its phones, and I expect that trend to continue. AI can help with photo editing, summarizing long articles, and even translating conversations in real time. But these features only work if they are fast and reliable.
I’d like to see AI tools that feel more native to the device and that don’t require multiple seconds to process before you see results. If the new Pixel phones can apply edits or offer useful search information instantly (or nearly so), it would give Google an even bigger edge over competitors who are still offloading this work to the cloud. One way to do this would be to perform more AI calculations on-device. As with battery life, a more capable and efficient processor could be the linchpin here. Will the Tensor G5 have what it takes? We hope so.
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5. Better Repairability
(Credit: Eric Zeman)
If you break your Pixel Watch screen, Google says the whole device must be replaced. That’s a serious waste of resources. If you drop your Pixel phone, there are opportunities to have it repaired, but you’re on the hook for the cost unless you have Google Preferred Care or other insurance.
If Google is to be serious about competing with Apple and Samsung, which have more mature processes for device repairs, it should commit to the repairability of every Pixel-branded device. That includes parts availability, clear repair guides, and reasonable pricing for repairs that take place via official avenues.
6. One More Thing: Let’s Get Weird
Sometimes Google surprises us with something experimental. Project Soli’s gesture controls, while short-lived, showed the company was willing to try unusual ideas. I’d like to see a return to that spirit. Whether it’s new ways to interact with our devices, smarter accessories, or unexpected form factors, a little risk-taking can make an event memorable.
If Google delivers tougher hardware, stronger battery life, and competitive noise cancellation at this year’s Made By Google event, it will be more than just another Pixel launch. It will be a sign that Google is aiming to be a market leader with a cohesive strategy for every Pixel device.
Live Post-Event Coverage With PCMag and CNET
After the event, CNET’s Bridget Carey, PCMag’s Iyaz Akhtar, and their fellow editors will break down everything unveiled by Google. Watch the live broadcast on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 9:30 a.m. PT / 12:30 p.m. ET in the video below.
About Iyaz Akhtar
Mobile Analyst
