Google just rolled out a GPU driver update that Pixel 10 owners have been begging for since October. And it’s about time.
The Pixel 10 launched with graphics performance that felt stuck in 2023. Now, with Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1, Google is finally delivering the fix that should have been there from day one.
What Just Changed?
Google quietly dropped a massive GPU driver upgrade for the Pixel 10 series.
The update bumps the driver from version 1.602.400 to 1.634.2906. That’s not just a version number change—it’s a complete overhaul.
What’s new:
- Vulkan 1.4 support (conformance version 1.4.1.0)
- Full Android 16 compatibility
- Improved shader compiler
- Better memory management
- Enhanced frame pacing
- Expanded OpenCL extensions
This is the same PowerVR driver that Imagination Technologies released back in August 2025. Pixel 10 owners have been waiting 4 months for it.
Why This Matters
The Pixel 10 launched with embarrassingly outdated graphics drivers.
Games like Genshin Impact struggled. Frame rates dropped. Battery drained fast. The phone got hot.
It wasn’t a hardware problem. The Tensor G5 chip has a capable PowerVR GPU. The issue was ancient software holding it back.
Problems Pixel 10 owners reported:
- Stuttering in high-end games
- Inconsistent frame rates
- GPU-related crashes in graphics-intensive apps
- Poor battery life during gaming
- Excessive heat during extended play sessions
- Some games dropping PowerVR support entirely
Reddit and Discord forums exploded with complaints. People spent $1,000+ on a flagship phone that couldn’t handle modern games smoothly.
Google promised a fix in October. Then… nothing. The Android 16 QPR2 update improved CPU efficiency but ignored the GPU entirely.
Now, finally, QPR3 Beta 1 addresses the actual problem.
What Vulkan 1.4 Actually Means
You keep hearing “Vulkan 1.4” but what does it do?
Vulkan is the graphics API that Android games use to talk to your phone’s GPU. Think of it as the translator between game code and graphics hardware.
Vulkan 1.4 brings:
Smoother gaming – Better handling of complex graphics instructions means higher frame rates and fewer stutters in demanding titles like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Call of Duty Mobile.
Future-proofing – Modern game engines are optimizing for Vulkan 1.4. Without it, the Pixel 10 would get left behind as mobile games get more advanced.
Developer-friendly – Eliminates device-specific workarounds. Game developers can now treat Pixel 10 like any other modern Android phone instead of coding around its limitations.
Better stability – Fewer crashes. Fewer random freezes. Games run the way they’re supposed to.
The Pixel 10 was running Vulkan from 2023. It’s now caught up to 2025 standards.
Real-World Performance: What Users Can Expect
Early beta testers are reporting noticeable improvements.
What’s better:
- Higher frame rates in demanding games (early tests suggest up to 20% gains)
- Smoother frame pacing (no more micro-stutters when new effects load)
- Improved battery efficiency during gaming sessions
- Less thermal throttling (phone stays cooler longer)
- Fewer app crashes in AR and camera processing tasks
- Better video editing performance
Discord user A_Button117 confirmed the update using Hardware CapsViewer for Vulkan, a diagnostic tool developers use to check GPU capabilities.
But here’s the reality check:
Driver updates don’t always translate to huge FPS jumps. The biggest gains will be in:
- Frame consistency (fewer drops)
- Stability (fewer crashes)
- Compatibility (more games running properly)
- Efficiency (better battery life)
If you’re expecting 60 FPS to suddenly become 120 FPS, you’ll be disappointed. But if you want games to actually run smoothly without random stutters? This should help.
The Genshin Impact Controversy
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
Earlier this year, Genshin Impact developers dropped support for PowerVR GPUs. Pixel 10 users panicked.
The rumor: Genshin Impact wouldn’t run on Pixel 10 anymore.
The reality: Google clarified to Android Authority that Genshin Impact never actually removed Pixel 10 support.
But the game still ran poorly. Frame drops. Overheating. Battery drain.
With this driver update, Genshin Impact should finally run the way it’s supposed to on a flagship phone.
Why Did This Take So Long?
Good question.
The Pixel 10 launched in October 2025. Imagination Technologies released this driver in August 2025—before the phone even came out.
Google could have shipped the Pixel 10 with the updated driver from day one. They didn’t.
Instead, they:
- Launched with an outdated driver
- Promised an update in October
- Delivered nothing with QPR2 in December
- Finally released it in QPR3 Beta 1 in mid-December
Why the delay?
Most likely: testing and optimization. Google needed to make sure the new driver worked properly with Tensor G5 before pushing it to millions of users.
But that doesn’t explain why they didn’t use it at launch when it was already available.
When Will Most Users Get This Update?
Here’s the bad news: not anytime soon.
The GPU driver is currently only available in Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1.
The timeline:
- Right now (December 2025): Beta users only
- March 2026: Expected stable release via Pixel Drop
- After that: All Pixel 10 users get the update
That’s a 3-month wait for most people.
How to get it now:
Join the Android Beta Program at android.com/beta. Install QPR3 Beta 1 on your Pixel 10.
Warning from Google: If you install QPR3 Beta 1, you’re committed to the beta track until the stable release in March. Rolling back can cause data corruption.
Only install the beta if you’re okay with potential bugs and stability issues.
What About Other Pixel Phones?
The GPU driver update is specific to the Pixel 10 series because they use the PowerVR GPU.
Devices getting the update:
- Pixel 10
- Pixel 10 Pro
- Pixel 10 Pro XL
Devices NOT getting it:
- Pixel 9 series (different GPU)
- Pixel 8 series (different GPU)
- Older Pixel models (different hardware)
However, all Tensor-powered Pixel devices (including Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet) get the other Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 features.
Other New Features in Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1
The GPU update isn’t the only thing in this beta.
Adjustable flashlight brightness – Finally. Control flashlight intensity from quick settings instead of just on/off.
Samsung-style navigation buttons – New toggle to reverse 3-button navigation order (Recents-Home-Back instead of Back-Home-Recents). Great for Samsung switchers.
Location tracking indicator – Tap the blue location icon in your status bar to see which apps are tracking you right now. Just like the camera/mic indicator.
Wireless ADB enhancements – Better for developers.
December 2025 security patch – Standard monthly security fixes.
These features will likely roll out to all Pixel users in March 2026.
The Bigger Picture: Google’s Tensor Strategy
This GPU saga highlights a weak spot in Google’s custom chip strategy.
Google switched from Qualcomm to custom Tensor chips starting with Pixel 6. The goal: better AI integration and longer software support.
The results:
- AI features: Excellent
- Software support: Great (7 years of updates promised)
- CPU performance: Good enough
- GPU performance: Lagging behind Snapdragon and Apple
The Tensor G5 in Pixel 10 uses Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR GPU. It’s capable hardware. But Google’s driver support has been terrible.
Compare to competitors:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon: Day-one driver support
- Apple A-series chips: Tight hardware-software integration
- Samsung Exynos: Regular driver updates
Google needs to do better. Flagship phones shouldn’t launch with outdated drivers.
This update shows Google is listening. But it also shows they have work to do on their hardware-software integration.
Should You Install the Beta?
Install if:
- You play demanding mobile games regularly
- You’re experiencing frame drops and stutters
- You’re okay with potential bugs
- You can wait for fixes if something breaks
- You understand beta software is unstable
Don’t install if:
- You use your Pixel 10 as your only phone
- You need 100% stability for work
- You’re not comfortable troubleshooting issues
- You don’t game much anyway
For most users, waiting until March 2026 is the smarter move. The stable release will have all the benefits without the beta headaches.
But if gaming performance matters to you right now? The beta is worth considering.
What This Means for Pixel’s Future
This GPU update sets a precedent.
Google is showing they’ll continue optimizing Pixel hardware long after launch. That’s good news for anyone who spent $1,000+ on these phones.
But it also raises questions:
Why wasn’t this ready at launch?
Will future Pixel phones ship with up-to-date drivers?
Is Google serious about competing in mobile gaming?
The answers will determine whether Pixel can truly compete with Samsung and Apple in the flagship market.
For now, Pixel 10 owners finally get the graphics performance they paid for. Better late than never.
The Bottom Line
The Pixel 10 launched with a graphics bottleneck that shouldn’t have existed.
Four months later, Google is finally fixing it with a GPU driver that was available before the phone even launched.
The update brings Vulkan 1.4 support, better stability, improved efficiency, and smoother gaming performance.
Beta users can get it now. Everyone else waits until March 2026.
It’s the update Pixel 10 owners deserved from day one. And it proves that sometimes, the biggest performance improvements come not from hardware upgrades, but from software that actually uses the hardware properly.
Update your Pixel 10 to Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 to try the new GPU driver now. Or wait for the stable release in March 2026.
The GPU driver update is available now in Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 for Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL. It will roll out to all users in the stable release expected March 2026.
