During the Made by Google event, Google briefly showcased its new Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL phones’ ability to zoom in 100 times, a significant upgrade from the 30x zoom on the Pixel 9 Pro. However, the company didn’t elaborate on how this feature works. It seems “100 times zoom” might not be entirely accurate, as Pro Res Zoom largely depends on generative AI. Here’s what you need to know about Pro Res Zoom, including its effects on your photos and how to disable it.
How does zoom work on smartphones?
Previously, smartphone zoom was achieved through hardware or software. Hardware zoom relied on a telephoto lens for optical magnification but had limited range, maxing out at 5x on both the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro. Software zoom cropped photos to simulate zooming in, sacrificing resolution and often resulting in pixelation. Pro Res Zoom seeks to rectify this, though it’s not Google’s first attempt to enhance software zoom. The older tech still exists, so understanding the difference between it and Pro Res Zoom is essential.
What is Super Res Zoom?
Pro Res Zoom won’t replace Super Res Zoom entirely, though the names can be confusing. Super Res Zoom, introduced with the Pixel 3 in 2018, captures multiple images while zooming and integrates details from various distances and exposures to enhance the final image. While machine learning is involved, it’s not generative AI; the phone uses only captured data without creating new images. Despite improvements, limitations similar to standard crop-zoom exist. While Google uses Super Res Zoom for the 20x software zoom on the base Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL default to Pro Res Zoom, though the original method remains available.
How does Pro Res Zoom work?
With Pro Res Zoom, photos beyond the optical zoom limit use generative AI to enhance details, employing a local, on-device diffusion model designed expressly for Tensor G5. This approach differs from Super Res Zoom by integrating more than just captured images but aims to avoid pixelation.
Reactions to Pro Res Zoom results are mixed. Google demonstrated this zoom by showing a landscape shot where the Pixel 10 Pro zooms into a distant, pixelated truck, then uses AI to make it appear more detailed. Responses included, “That car looked like AI.” Given the “zoom in and enhance” feature limits, AI tools often appear artificial, raising doubts about whether this artificial quality—potentially cartoony—warrants the lack of pixelation. Does it “fake it” enough if visibly distinguished?
Labelling this as zoom may be misleading—the diffusion model essentially generates an image using existing resolution as a prompt, inserting it into your shot. Google tuned the model to prevent hallucinations, but noticeable artificiality might deter users. Can you truly say, “saw this cool truck on my vacation,” if the truck largely consists of AI-generated content?
As my editor noted, “You can zoom in to what the algorithm thinks a car looks like.” If skeptical, you still have options.
Pro Res Zoom will present photos without AI
When using software zoom on the Pixel 10 Pro or Pro XL, it’s not obligatory to accept an AI-enhanced image. The phone displays two images, one with Pro Res Zoom and another using “the old algorithm”—Super Res Zoom.
I haven’t personally seen the Pixel 10 Pro’s camera yet, but I witnessed a demonstration post-Made by Google. A Google Rep zoomed into a distant prop, showing both Pro Res and Super Res Zoom results. While she has yet to prefer the former, seeing both images allows for comparison.
Pro Res Zoom’s effectiveness remains uncertain. While capturing her phone screen, detailed review requires hands-on use with the Pixel 10 Pro. At least, users retain the old option.
Despite Pro Res Zoom reaching a 100x zoom cap, it allows selection of non-AI photos beyond 30x, enhancing Super Res Zoom beyond its previous limits, though some quality loss may occur.
You can disable Pro Res Zoom
Though I haven’t explored the new Pixel 10 Camera app extensively, Google assured Pro Res Zoom can be disabled via settings, beneficial for anyone dismissing AI options manually. However, this reverts zoom to 30x, albeit extending Super Res Zoom without AI input beyond this limit.
What is a photo?
Though Pro Res Zoom introduces artificiality, many Google camera features spark debate over what defines a photo. Given today’s filters, automatic adjustments, and Super Res Zoom’s frame merging, few images genuinely depict what photographers saw. If the reaction is “that looks like AI,” more refinement might be necessary before achieving genuine “100x zoom.”