The Google Pixel 10 now includes a feature called “Adaptive Tone,” designed to adjust the display’s white balance in response to ambient lighting. This technology serves as Google’s equivalent to Apple’s True Tone and marks the return of a beloved feature that was previously available under the name “Ambient EQ” on the Pixel 4.
After a five-generation hiatus, this functionality is set to enhance both visual comfort and consistency for Pixel users. While the Pixel 10 series does not represent a significant hardware evolution, it does introduce integrated Qi2 magnets and noteworthy software improvements aimed at refining the viewing experience.
Adaptive Tone Details
Located in Settings > Display & touch, the Adaptive Tone feature automatically adjusts the display to warmer or cooler tones depending on the surrounding light conditions. Utilizing the device’s integrated ambient light and color sensor, it measures the ambient color temperature and modifies the display’s white balance accordingly. This ensures that visuals maintain consistency, especially since our perception of a screen’s colors can shift dramatically with varying ambient illumination, often resulting in displays appearing overly blue in warmer indoor settings.
Familiar Functionality
This technology is not new to the Pixel 10; devices like Apple’s have long utilized a similar capability known as True Tone. Samsung has its own version called adaptive color tone. Google has also incorporated related technologies in its Nest Hub products for years, and the Ambient EQ feature made a brief appearance on the Pixel 4. However, it was removed in subsequent models before making a comeback on the 2023 Pixel Tablet.
Now rebranded as Adaptive Tone, this feature is available across the entire Pixel 10 lineup and functions similarly to how it did on the Pixel 4, as confirmed by Google’s support documentation.
Additional Improvements
Besides Adaptive Tone, the Pixel 10 introduces a new setting aimed at optimizing the display for users sensitive to flicker. While it may not be the ultimate solution for those with flicker sensitivity, this improvement represents a positive step forward compared to earlier Pixel variants.
