On May 22, 2025, X/Twitter user @MarksGonePublic stumbled onto what looked very much like an official Google ad shoot for the yet-to-be-announced Pixel 10. “Just out for a walk… stumbled onto a full-on commercial shoot for the Google Pixel 10,” they wrote, alongside shots of a camera crew lining up phones and storyboards on easels in plain sight.

According to 9to5Google, the shoot was unmistakably for the Pixel 10—the storyboards display the words “Google” and “Pixel 10” in the brand’s signature font and layout. And based on the two circular cut-outs next to the camera module, the hero device here appears to be the Pixel 10 Pro (or Pro XL), which, like its predecessor, is expected to house both a flash and a temperature sensor in that little camera array.

One of the biggest clues from the leak is the tagline plastered across the storyboard: “Ask more of your phone.”

This line sums up Google’s positioning so far: a device that leans heavily on AI-powered smarts, from real-time translations to live HDR processing. We’ve seen hints of these capabilities in Android 16 and the Tensor G4 chip, and rumor has it the Pixel 10 will debut the next-gen Tensor G5 with beefed-up AI image processing. All of which makes “asking more” feel on-brand.

The back-of-phone shots in the storyboards are eerily similar to the Pixel 9 Pro—same rounded camera bar, same matte finish silhouette. Google may be sticking to a “if it ain’t broke” design ethos for 2025.

Detailed sketches zoom in on the power button, volume rocker, and the triple-lens array. No radical new ports or unexpected buttons appear—just the trusty USB-C at the bottom, which Google is unlikely to change this year.

Two ad concepts are in the works: one appears to be a stunning portrait showcase, and the other hints at a new “Add Me” feature (possibly a social-sharing shortcut built into the camera UI). Whether “Add Me” is a QR-like contact card, a collaborative AR effect, or something else remains to be seen.

Beyond the sketches, we get brief glimpses of a black Pixel 10 Pro—likely the “Obsidian” colorway—being handled by talent on set. In these quick hands-on shots, again, there’s little to distinguish it from the Pixel 9 Pro aside from potentially slimmer bezels (if you squint) and an ever-so-slightly revised camera housing.

You might wonder—why film a secret ad in broad daylight on Vancouver’s streets? A few thoughts:

• Tax incentives & film infrastructure: British Columbia offers generous tax breaks and world-class production facilities. Lots of big films and commercials are shot here.
• Controlled public access: Vancouver’s downtown and studio backlots can be cordoned off quickly, giving crews the illusion of secrecy amid city life.
• Aesthetic appeal: Moody skies, evergreen backdrops, and glassy downtown towers give a sleek techno-urban vibe, perfect for a gadget ad.

Whichever the reason, filming in a public space always runs the risk of this kind of guerrilla leak—something Google’s PR team surely didn’t budget for.

Leaks are nothing new for Pixel launches, but seeing a fully dressed ad shoot is unprecedented. In past cycles, we got blurry hands-on leaks, CAD renders, or firmware teardowns. But a live commercial? That’s next-level.

We’re still months out from Google’s typical October announcement. Between now and then, expect:

• Firmware teardowns: Early Android 16 QPR releases may hide references to Tensor G5 or Pixel 10 branding.
• Accessory leaks: Cases, chargers, and watch faces often leak via FCC filings.
• Software previews: Beta builds of Google Camera or Pixel Launcher could show new features like “Add Me.”

Until Google lifts the curtain, these guerrilla snapshots from Vancouver are all we’ve got. But one thing’s clear: despite the familiar silhouette, Google is leaning hard into its AI narrative—inviting us to “ask more” of our phones. And if that message resonates, a little unsolicited publicity might be exactly what they needed.