I attempted gaming on the Pixel 10’s new GPU and… it is wonderful

While there’s a lot to unpack with the Pixel 10 sequence and its new Tensor G5 processor, one of many largest {hardware} adjustments this yr is the adoption of a model new GPU structure.

Google has switched from its long-running use of ARM’s Mali to Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR sequence. Specifically, the PowerVR DXT-48-1536, however with out the ray-tracing capabilities that the sequence can assist.

Early scepticism recommended that the transfer won’t be a lot of an improve and probably even a downgrade for the Pixel 10 sequence in comparison with final yr. Thankfully, our preliminary exams counsel that isn’t the case — efficiency is up by someplace within the area of 27%, not less than so far as benchmarks go. However, temperatures are barely larger than final yr, leading to extra questionable sustained efficiency in our stress exams. A blended bag, then.

Gamers hoping that the Tensor G5 would meet up with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite and Apple A18 Pro will little doubt be disenchanted. However, few titles goal absolutely the pinnacle of cellular graphics efficiency, and loads of video games run fairly easily on older Pixels already.

What’s extra essential with a significant structure shift is that widespread titles really run. A rerun of the Samsung Exynos Diablo debacle actually wouldn’t do the brand new Pixels any favours with the already less-than-favorable cellular gaming crowd. With that in thoughts, I got down to examine that my Pixel 10 may really run the preferred video games on the market.

In the Android area, Immagination’s PowerVR structure has largely been deployed in funds merchandise, so to check if the platform is able to delivering in a flagship product, I attempted as well up just a few of the extra widespread Android cellular video games.

The excellent news is that PUBG, COD Mobile, Genshin Impact, Honkai Starrail, and Diablo Immortal put in and booted up accurately. I performed round in all these titles for a couple of minutes apiece and didn’t discover any efficiency or graphical glitches.

I haven’t had time to immediately examine the efficiency of those titles in opposition to final yr’s flagship but, however body charges felt clean to me on the default graphics settings — properly above 30fps as soon as I flipped on these video games’ 60fps modes. I most likely may have pushed the settings a bit bit larger and been wonderful as properly.

Interestingly, even GRID Legends appeared obtainable to obtain within the Play Store, a title that isn’t obtainable for my Pixel 9 Pro XL. After downloading it, nonetheless, I used to be greeted with the message that the telephone doesn’t meet the minimal necessities to play. Still, it’s not like that is the one telephone that falls foul of some video games with extra particular necessities, however it’s one thing that the newest Snapdragon telephones seldom should cope with.

I additionally tried a bit little bit of emulation through Dolphin. While the expertise was a bit extra spluttery at occasions whereas taking part in a little bit of Mario Kart Wii, much more highly effective telephones aren’t proof against the odd jank whereas loading up belongings. General efficiency was once more greater than clean sufficient to benefit from the recreation, whether or not utilizing OpenGL or Vulkan backends, and there have been no lacking textures, bizarre lighting results, or weird glitches to smash the expertise.

This actually isn’t to say that each recreation or emulated title will run flawlessly. I clearly haven’t had time to check all of them, and this can be one of many explanation why Google hasn’t mentioned an excessive amount of about its new GPU — there may at all times be an outlier or two. Still, fears that shifting to a brand new graphics structure will render the Pixel 10 sequence ineffective for avid gamers seem unfounded. It won’t be the quickest alternative, however you possibly can dabble in some gentle gaming on the Pixel 10 with out situation. If I’ve one criticism, it’s that the little telephone warms up fairly shortly.

Google’s Tensor has at all times been a contentious chip from a efficiency perspective, and the G5 contained in the Pixel 10 sequence is not any exception. It is certainly not in the identical benchmarking league because the quickest processors round, which some will discover robust to reconcile with the telephone’s premium value level, notably for the Pro fashions.

If gaming is excessive in your checklist of priorities and it’s essential to have the very best body charges cash can purchase, grabbing the very succesful and fairly priced OnePlus 13 or a devoted gaming beast just like the ASUS ROG Phone 9 will undoubtedly swimsuit you higher.

That mentioned, the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro fashions don’t have any bother booting up any of the video games I examined, they usually run with nary a hiccup. If you might be extra of an off-the-cuff dabbler within the odd recreation and worth Google’s helpful AI additions and newest pictures smarts, then the Pixel 10 sequence continues to be undoubtedly value a purchase order.