By The Indus Zone Tech Desk | Updated October 23, 2025 | Google Pixel 10 Set for Major GPU Driver Update
The Google Pixel 10 is one of the most talked-about Android phones this year. However, while its design and camera have earned praise, its performance has left many users disappointed — especially in gaming. Now, Google has confirmed that a GPU driver update for the Pixel 10 is on the way, and it could finally fix the performance issues that have frustrated users for months.
What Went Wrong With the Pixel 10
When Google launched the Pixel 10 series, it introduced the new Tensor G5 processor, built by TSMC. This chip was supposed to offer better performance and battery efficiency than previous generations. It also replaced the older Arm Mali GPU with Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR graphics chip.
But things didn’t go as planned. The Tensor G5’s performance turned out to be below expectations. The Pixel 10’s graphics speed was even slower than the Pixel 9 in several tests. Users reported that games like Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact ran with stutters and frame drops.
For a premium smartphone, this was disappointing — especially since competing devices from Samsung and Apple offered smoother gaming and faster graphics rendering.
Outdated GPU Drivers May Be the Cause
Many users on Reddit and other forums began investigating why the Pixel 10 performed poorly in GPU benchmarks. Their research revealed that the issue might not be with the hardware itself, but with the outdated GPU driver software.
The Pixel 10 currently runs GPU driver version 24.3, which was built before Android 16 was released. This version doesn’t fully support new APIs and graphics features needed for modern games. Around the same time that the Pixel 10 launched, Imagination Technologies released a newer driver (v25.1) that added Android 16 and Vulkan 1.4 support — both crucial for better gaming and graphics stability.
However, Google didn’t include this newer driver in the Pixel 10’s software, leading to visible performance gaps. The outdated driver seems to be holding back the true potential of the Tensor G5 GPU.
Google Confirms GPU Driver Update
In a statement to Android Authority, a Google spokesperson confirmed that the company plans to roll out GPU driver updates for the Pixel 10 in upcoming system releases.
“We are continuing to improve driver quality in our monthly and quarterly system updates,” the spokesperson said. “For example, the September and October patch releases included driver improvements. In future releases, we are planning further GPU driver updates.”
This means Google is aware of the issue and is actively working on a fix. The company’s response brings some hope to Pixel 10 owners who have been vocal about the device’s underwhelming performance since launch.
Driver Updates Already Happening — But With Mixed Results
Google claims it has already rolled out driver improvements in the September and October updates, but users say they haven’t noticed any major difference in day-to-day performance. Benchmark scores and gaming frame rates remain nearly the same as before.
The confusion is growing because even the latest Android 16 QPR2 Beta 3.1 version still appears to use the older GPU driver. This suggests the full fix may arrive in a later update — possibly in November or December.
Experts believe that once Google includes the updated v25.1 GPU driver, users could see noticeable improvements in graphics rendering, gaming smoothness, and heat management.
Google’s Track Record With GPU Updates
This isn’t the first time Google has updated GPU drivers on its Pixel devices. In the past, similar updates have brought big improvements in gaming and overall performance.
For example, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 both received GPU driver patches that boosted benchmark scores and fixed frame drops in games. Those updates were well-received by the community and helped improve user experience significantly.
So, it’s reasonable to expect that the Pixel 10 will benefit from the same kind of optimization once the new drivers are integrated into the system.
What the Tensor G5 GPU Is Capable Of
The Tensor G5 uses Imagination’s PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU, a modern graphics unit that supports Vulkan 1.3, tile-based deferred rendering, and up to 1.5 TFLOPS of FP32 performance. On paper, this GPU should easily handle modern 3D games and high-resolution interfaces.
However, because of the outdated driver, the chip hasn’t been able to deliver its full potential. Games run slower than expected, and benchmarks place the Pixel 10 behind even mid-range devices in graphics-heavy tasks. With proper driver optimization, the Tensor G5 could finally perform at the level Google promised during launch.
When to Expect the Update Google Pixel 10
While Google hasn’t shared an exact release date, the company’s statement indicates that the GPU driver update will likely arrive in a future monthly patch — possibly as part of the November or December system update.
The update will be delivered over-the-air (OTA), so Pixel 10 users won’t need to take any special steps. Once installed, it should enhance gaming stability, improve frame rates, and possibly even extend battery life by making the GPU more efficient.
Final Thoughts
The Pixel 10 is still a capable smartphone with one of the best Android experiences, powerful cameras, and deep AI integration. However, its GPU performance has been a weak link since launch.
With Google confirming a GPU driver update, there’s renewed hope that the device will soon perform as well as it looks. Once the update rolls out, Pixel 10 users should finally see the smoother, faster, and more reliable performance they expected from a flagship phone in 2025.
