Google finally confirms a proper GPU driver update is coming to fix the Pixel 10’s performance

Since the Pixel 10’s launch, one glaring issue has been its bafflingly poor GPU performance. Despite switching to a new PowerVR GPU from Imagination Technologies, the phone has struggled in benchmarks and real-world gaming, often performing worse than its predecessors. Frustrated users quickly diagnosed the likely culprit – the phone shipped with an outdated GPU driver that wasn’t fully optimized for Android 16. Now, after weeks of silence, Google has finally confirmed that further Pixel 10 GPU driver updates are on the way.

The outdated driver problem

As a quick recap, the Pixel 10 shipped with PowerVR driver version 24.3. However, right around the phone’s release, Imagination Technologies rolled out version 25.1, which included crucial Android 16 and Vulkan 1.4 compatibility. Users discovered the Pixel 10’s GPU often seemed stuck at low clock speeds, severely bottlenecking its potential performance. The obvious solution seemed to be getting that newer, optimized driver onto the phone.

Google confirms updates are planned

In a statement provided to Android Authority, a Google spokesperson acknowledged the situation and confirmed the company’s plans:

We are continuing to improve driver quality in our monthly and quarterly system updates. For example, the most recent September and October patch releases included driver improvements. In future releases we are planning further GPU driver updates.

While Google confusingly claims some driver improvements were included in the September and October patches (which brought no noticeable performance uplift for users), the key takeaway is the explicit confirmation that further updates are planned.

Hope for a fix, but questions remain

This is undoubtedly good news. Google has a history of significantly improving GPU performance on Pixel phones via driver updates rolled out with system updates. The fact that they’ve confirmed more updates are coming specifically for the GPU gives Pixel 10 owners reason to be optimistic that the phone’s graphical potential can finally be unlocked.

However, I don’t really understand why it is taking so long. The optimized driver (v25.1) has been available since August. Even the latest Android 16 QPR2 Beta still ships with the older driver. While confirmation of a future fix is welcome, the delay is a bit puzzling. Hopefully, “future releases” means soon, potentially with the next major Android update or Feature Drop.