Did you know it rains on the Sun? Not water, of course. It's solar rain, which occurs in the Sun's corona, the outermost layer composed of intensely hot plasma. This phenomenon involves cooler, heavier blobs of plasma that condense high above the Sun's surface and then plunge back down.

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Category: Space, Science

Tags: Sun, Astronomy, Weather

Sure, a home weight room would be nice, but not everyone has the space or funds for one. xplate is the latest product designed to address that problem, by stuffing a modular weight training system into a case that can be taken anywhere.

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Category: Sports, Lifestyle

Tags: Exercise, Fitness, Modular, Kickstarter

The new Hex from New Zealand company KEA Outdoors looks like an unassuming folding EDC (everyday carry) knife upon first glance. It has a bright, grippy handle for convenience, a razor-sharp half-serrated, half-straight drop-point blade for cutting versatility, a thumb stud for fast, simplified deployment, and a lanyard hole for easily stringing up. But that lanyard slot is more than meets the eye, carrying a handful of functions within a simple rotating wheel-like design, creating a different style of multitool.

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Category: Knives and Multitools, Gear, Outdoors

Tags: Outdoors and Camping, Survival, Multitools, EDC, Camping, Backpacking, Folding, Knife

Google's newest Pixel 10 smartphone (right) gained a dedicated telephoto camera module, similar to Google's Pixel Pro models.

Image: Google

When Google announced its new Pixel 10 smartphone with a new telephoto camera, giving it a triple-camera array similar to the Pixel 10 Pro, it positioned it as an upgrade over the dual-camera systems of its predecessors. However, as we reported at launch, Google made some cost compromises to squeeze that third camera into the phone: the main and ultrawide cameras were downgraded compared to previous Pixel models.

In a world where new phones generally arrive with better cameras than their predecessors, this raises a key question for owners of models like the Pixel 7, 8 or 9: is upgrading to the Pixel 10 for its telephoto camera worth the compromise?

To find out, we conducted side-by-side photo comparisons of the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 across various lighting conditions.

Comparing the camera specs of the last four Pixel models reveals a significant shift by Google with the Pixel 10. Moving left to right in the table below, we've marked any camera modules that notably improved upon earlier generations in green. Camera models downgraded relative to previous generations are marked in red.

Editor's note: To make comparisons more straightforward, all focal lengths in this article are listed as full-frame equivalents.

13MP
Type 1/3.1
(16.1mm²)

10.8MP
Type 1/3.2 (15.5mm²)

*Full-frame equivalent focal lengths

Main camera: The Pixel 7, 8 and 9 used a Type 1/1.31 (72mm²) sensor like the ones used on Google's Pixel Pro models and similar to those on recent iPhone Pro models. In contrast, the Pixel 10 uses a Type 1/2 (31mm²) sensor, which has less than half the surface area of the earlier models. A smaller sensor captures less light, creating a disadvantage in low-light conditions that even advanced image processing can't overcome.

Ultrawide camera: The Pixel 10's ultrawide camera is also smaller than its recent predecessors, and 30% smaller than the ultrawide sensor in the Pixel 9. It's also a 13MP sensor, similar to the Pixel 7 and 8's 12MP sensor, but falls behind the Pixel 9's 48MP Quad Bayer sensor that facilitates additional computational processing to improve image quality.

Telephoto camera: The Pixel 10 is the only model in this group with a dedicated 5x telephoto camera module. But don't get confused; it's not the same telephoto camera module found on the Pixel Pro models, which use a larger sensor.

However, it's worth noting that modern smartphones are based on computational photography: a larger sensor (if it's combined with a bright lens) should yield better results, but a smaller sensor might be able to keep up if newer algorithms can combine more images. All things being equal, a larger sensor should be better, but since the computational component of smartphone cameras is somewhat opaque, all things may not be equal. So, we'll need to look at photographic tests to see how the cameras compare.

We took matched photos using the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 across a variety of lighting conditions to find out how the Pixel 10's new triple-camera array stacks up to its predecessor's dual-camera configuration. A sample gallery with all of these side-by-side photos, and more, is included at the end of the article.

In bright light, the main cameras on both phones deliver broadly similar results, at least when viewed on a small screen. At 100% view, however, it's clear the Pixel 9 retains more detail than the Pixel 10. Whether that's a function of the smaller sensor, the lens, or a combination of the two is hard to tell, though in some photos the Pixel 10's lens exhibited slightly more chromatic aberration than the Pixel 9.

Winner: Pixel 9

A close-up view from the main cameras on the Pixel 9 (left) and Pixel 10 (right). The Pixel 9 manages to capture more detail.

Click to view the full-sized images: Pixel 9, Pixel 10

The difference between the ultrawide cameras is more dramatic. Even in bright sunlight, the Pixel 9's ultrawide camera is sharper and retains noticeably more detail than the Pixel 10. The differences can become even more apparent when you get close to the corners.

Winner: Pixel 9

A close-up view from the ultrawide cameras on the Pixel 9 (left) and 10 (right). The Pixel 9 retains noticeably more detail even in bright sunlight.

Click to view the full-sized images: Pixel 9, Pixel 10

Things get interesting when we look at the Pixel 10's headline feature: the new 5x telephoto camera module, a feature missing on the Pixel 9. Instead, the Pixel 9 simulates a 5x camera using a crop of the main camera's sensor. Google markets this as "optical quality zoom," but take that claim with a serious grain of salt.

(Note that while Google describes both models' telephoto settings as "5x," the 110mm equivalent camera on the Pixel 10 is actually 4.6x longer than the main camera, which explains the wider field of view in the comparison shots below.)

A close-up view from the 5x "zoom" on the Pixel 9 (left) and the 5x telephoto camera on the Pixel 10 (right). Look closely at the text on the signs, and you can see that AI upscaling techniques used on the Pixel 9's 5x mode don't quite live up to Google's claims of "optical quality" zoom.

Click to view the full-sized images: Pixel 9, Pixel 10

As we've explained previously, cropping is not "optical quality zoom," and while the linked article is about iPhones, Google employs the same basic approach, using AI and computational techniques to maintain image resolution.

A look at the close-up images above quickly reveals the limits of this approach, particularly on the text of the signs in the window. In the Pixel 9 image, much of the text morphs into quasi-hieroglyphics. In contrast, the Pixel 10's dedicated 5x telephoto camera retains perfectly legible text. You'll see similar effects on other subjects, but it's particularly noticeable whenever there's text in a scene.

Winner: Pixel 10

Both models handle HDR (high dynamic range) scenes well, allowing photos to appear more realistic when viewed on HDR displays, such as those found on smartphones. The Pixel 9 retains a bit more detail, but the most noticeable difference is in the processing, where the Pixel 10 tends to lift shadows a bit more aggressively.

On a smartphone screen, HDR images from both models look good. Note that the versions you see here have been flattened to fit an SDR display, so while they do look a little different, it's not the best way to compare photos intended to be viewed using an HDR screen. To really see this difference, you'll need to download the original, full-sized images to a device with an HDR display to compare them.

Winner: Pixel 9 (by a hair)

HDR images from the Pixel 9 (left) and 10 (right) differ in processing, with photos from the Pixel 10 generally having a flatter, more HDR "look" to them.

Click to view the full-sized images: Pixel 9, Pixel 10

Google's Night Sight feature is designed to help smartphone photographers get better results in low light. The Pixel 9's sensor, which has more than twice as much surface area as the Pixel 10's, can make a big difference, and Night Sight photos from the Pixel 9 consistently outperform those from the Pixel 10.

The photo I chose to illustrate this point pushes both cameras to their limits. Upon closer inspection, both images look like watercolor paintings, but the Pixel 9 exhibits less noise and retains more information in the shadows rather than crushing them to black, and the Pixel 10 essentially obliterates all but the most prominent stars. Both cameras can deliver better Night Sight photos in less challenging situations, but the relative performance remains the same.

Winner: Pixel 9

A close-up of Night Sight photos from the main cameras on the Pixel 9 (left) and 10 (right). Neither camera exhibits stellar results in this challenging scene, but the Pixel 9 exhibits less noise and holds onto information in the shadows rather than crushing them to black.

Click to view the full-sized images: Pixel 9, Pixel 10

Night Sight, using the ultrawide cameras with their much smaller sensors, pushes the limits of computational photography even further. The Pixel 10 is particularly challenged because it has a smaller sensor and a slower aperture, giving it about 40% of the light-gathering ability of its predecessor. That difference is clearly visible in Night Sight photos, with the Pixel 9 easily outperforming the Pixel 10 in almost all scenarios.

Note that the Pixel 7 and 8 ultrawide sensors are closer in size to the Pixel 10 (though still about 20% larger), so the difference in performance won't be quite as dramatic.

Winner: Pixel 9

A crop of Night Sight photos from the ultrawide cameras on the Pixel 9 (left) and 10 (right). Both cameras struggle here, but the Pixel 9's 50% larger, Quad Bayer sensor handily outperforms the Pixel 10.

Click to view the full-sized images: Pixel 9, Pixel 10

People photos and portraits represent one of the most common uses for any smartphone camera. We love to take photos of each other, and it frequently happens indoors and in low light.

The Pixel 9's larger sensor wins out here, producing more natural, less pixelated-looking textures and skin. Whether that's important depends on how you plan to use the pictures. If you're sharing photos with people who will primarily look at them on smartphones, it might not. If you want to make a print, it will.

Winner: Pixel 9

A close-up of a low-light photo taken in portrait mode on the Pixel 9 (left) and 10 (right). The Pixel 9's larger sensor allows it to retain more natural-looking details.

Click to view the full-sized images: Pixel 9, Pixel 10

While the Pixel 9 came out on top in all but one of the head-to-head comparisons, the choice between the newest Pixel and its recent predecessors is nuanced, and the best option depends on your priorities.

The Pixel 10's dedicated telephoto lens makes the camera more versatile for social media use, and could be a key factor for anyone who uses the telephoto feature a lot, handily outperforming the virtual 5x camera on earlier models. If flexibility outweighs absolute image quality, it could be a good option.

But physics matters, and you're more concerned about absolute image quality, the larger sensors and faster ultrawide lens on the Pixel 9 give it a clear edge. The Pixel 7 and 8 retain that advantage on the main camera, but the difference in ultrawide modules is less pronounced.

What's clear is that Google made a strategic decision to further differentiate the base model Pixel from the Pixel Pro models. Rather than giving Pixel owners the same cameras as the Pixel Pro, but fewer of them, it's setting up the Pixel Pro as the go-to choice for serious photographers while giving Pixel owners a more versatile solution, but at some cost to image quality.

Adobe's Project Indigo, a powerful camera app for iPhone, is finally available for the iPhone 17. Despite Apple releasing the iPhone 17 over a month ago, Project Indigo wasn't previously compatible with the new phone, reportedly due to the front-facing camera.

A post on Adobe's forum on October 16, as reported by The Verge, shared that the company had issues when developing support for the new iPhone 17 series of phones. "We have run into some issues, especially with the front camera," the post from product manager Boris Ajdin said. "Some of them we flagged to Apple, who have made a fix and will ship it with iOS 26.1. Sadly, that means we need to consider disabling the front camera in Indigo until that version of iOS is shipped."

For context, the iPhone 17's front camera uses a square multi-aspect ratio sensor, which isn't typical for smartphone cameras. The square sensor allows users to capture landscape or portrait photos and videos without rotating the phone. However, it also apparently complicates things for camera app developers, at least in the case of Adobe's app.

It appears that Adobe has now solved some of those issues. Over the weekend, Adobe's Chris Welch shared on Threads that Project Indigo is now ready for the iPhone 17. Welch shared a screenshot of the App Store listing, which says it required lots of "grinding, sanding, welding and polishing."

While the app is functional on iPhone 17s now, the selfie camera is currently disabled. The App Store description for Project Indigo says that front camera support for 17-series devices will be added in the next version of the app, which will come after Apple publicly releases iOS 26.1.

Nike has been working on some strange new ideas. The first is a pair of shoes that activate your mind body connection through receptors in your feet. The second are powered sneakers. Oh, and there's also an inflatable coat and a super-cooling shirt.

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Category: Sports, Lifestyle

Tags: Nike, Shoes, Smart shoes, Exoskeleton, Jacket, Shirt, Athlete, Fashion

The Gambier has a length of just 30 ft (9.1 m). Despite its compact dimensions, Rover Tiny Homes has worked with the limited available living space to provide a feature-packed towable home that's a good fit for regular travel and well-suited to a couple or small family.

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Category: Tiny Houses, Outdoors

Tags: Building and Construction, Tiny Footprint, Micro-House, House, Home

Researchers in Switzerland have stuffed a bunch of chips and sensors into socks to help people who suffer from some of the worst symptoms of diabetes – chronic pain and a loss of sensation in the feet.

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Category: Diabetes, Illnesses and conditions, Body and Mind

Tags: Neuropathic pain, Diabetes, ETH Zurich, Smart Fabric, Nerves, Mobility, Pain, Walk

Listening to or playing music later in life could do more than lift your spirits – it might also help keep your mind sharp. A study of more than 10,000 older adults has found that people who regularly engage with music have significantly lower rates of cognitive decline, with daily music listeners showing up to a 39% reduced risk of developing dementia.

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Category: Alzheimer's & Dementia, Brain Health, Body and Mind

Tags: Monash University, Dementia, Brain stimulation, Cognitive functioning, Age-Related, Aging, Music Streaming, Brain activity, Alzheimer's disease, Digital music

Russia has flown a nuclear-arm-capable cruise missile propelled by a nuclear engine. In a televised conference chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin the 15-hour flight of the 9M730 Burevestnik (NATO name SSC-X-9 Skyfall) was confirmed.

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Category: Military, Technology

Tags: Cruise missile, Nuclear, Russia

The Fujifilm X-T30 III is a gentle refresh of the Mark II, bringing it into line with the other models in the lineup.

We shot a sample gallery in a Seattle autumn, to show how its images look. Although the camera itself is a fairly known quantity, its new, ultra-wide XC 13-33mm F3.5-6.3 OIS kit lens is a different story. We focused on this lens when putting the gallery together, to show how it performs.

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For the first time, scientists have used evidence-based research to rewrite the advice on what to consume to relieve constipation, doing away with the broad "high-fiber diet" mantra. And one fruit in particular has been proven to be most effective.

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Category: Diet & Nutrition, Wellness and Healthy Living, Body and Mind

Tags: Diet, Fiber, Food, King's College London

The soldier of tomorrow seems to have arrived a bit early as Anduril shows off its new AI-powered helmet system. It not only protects soldiers but gives them super senses while turning them into nodes in an advanced data communications network.

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Category: Military, Technology

Tags: Anduril, Artificial Intelligence

New York City has gained a striking addition to its iconic skyline. Designed by renowned British firm Foster + Partners, 270 Park Avenue rises to a supertall height of 1,388 ft (423 m), making it one of the tallest new buildings in the United States.

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Category: Architecture, Technology

Tags: New York, Building and Construction, Foster and Partners, Skyscrapers, Office

The theme for our October Editors' photo challenge was "Fall Follies."

With the last wisps of summer in the air and days getting shorter, we challenged you to show us what makes fall special. From vibrant leaves to fall harvests and annual traditions, we asked you to show us what Fall Follies looks like through your lens.

Our community of DPReview photographers didn't disappoint, capturing nature's grand finale in a blaze of color. As usual, we were overwhelmed with great pictures – many more than we can present here. Our favorites, showcasing a diverse range of vision and talent, are presented in random order.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this photo challenge. If you want to participate in other photo challenges, visit our Challenges page to see currently open or upcoming challenges, or to vote in a recently closed challenge.

Photographer: mxzrevman

Photographer's statement: I was very lucky with the timing. The leaves were just perfect, and the weather was perfect with the sun at a nice height above the horizon. This was at Thatcher State Park outside of Albany, New York.

Equipment: Nikon Z5 + Nikon Nikkor Z 20mm F1.8 S

Photographer: JeffryzPhoto

Photographer's statement: In Mexico, this time of year means preparations for Day of the Dead, or Día de Los Muertos: the time when departed souls can return to visit loved ones left behind. Marigolds feature prominently, their color and scent helping to guide them.

Equipment: Fujifilm X-T4 + Fujifilm XF 8-16mm F2.8 R LM WR

Photographer: JC-W

Photographer's statement: The Moselle, a river between Luxembourg and Germany, is a famous wine region. In October each year, you can find these beautiful grapes on the hillsides separating both countries.

Photographer: TheDispossessed

Photographer's statement: An acer, photographed in Durham Botanic Gardens, England. Capturing these leaves involves being there at the right time on the right day to get the light just right.

Equipment: Canon EOS 80D + Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

Photographer: hach

Photographer's statement: This photo was taken from the roadside overlooking a small farm. Underneath is the Tyrifjorden lake, covered by fog. The location is at Sollihøgda (Sunny heights), just north of Oslo.

Equipment: OM System OM-1 + OM System 40-150mm F4.0 PRO

Photographer: RacingManiac

Photographer's statement: Early fall colors at the Kiyomizu Dera in Kyoto. I like the treeline, and the roof of the shops all lead to the pagoda on the opposite side of the footpath

Equipment: Sony a7 IV + Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS II

Photographer: Sam Bennett

Photographer's statement: Pink echoes in the valley of Graveyard Fields in Western North Carolina as the forest slowly heals itself year over year after the ravages of Hurricane Helene.

Equipment: OM System OM-3 + Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4 Pro

Photographer: Gman58

Photographer's statement: We were taking a fall road trip to visit friends in the mountains of Tennessee when I noticed these beautiful cypress trees, living in the water of the lake, at the terminus of the Ocoee River Gorge.

Equipment: Pentax KP + HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR

Photographer: MtnBikerCalif

Photographer's statement: I was fortunate enough to be in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah with four friends, mountain biking the Great Western Trail. My OM-1 is too heavy and inconvenient while biking through tough terrain, but my new iPhone was great for photography and helped with navigation. I wasn't expecting the incredible fall colors of the aspens. They were the highlight of the trip. I'd never seen such expanses of golden leaves.

Equipment: iPhone 17 Pro

Photographer: SergeAP

Photographer's statement: Autumn is beautiful with its dramatic blend of vibrant, lush colors and the deep lyricism and silence of evening city parks, the already cold and damp air with the amazing taste of fallen leaves, and the warmth of melancholy memories of the past summer.

Equipment: Nikon D800

Photographer: Eric Hensel

Photographer's statement: I rarely arise before dawn, these days, with two exceptions: salmon fishing or a photography expedition. I managed to combine both pursuits on this particular morning, as I tried out a lens I had purchased from a local shop for twenty dollars. I couldn't believe my luck when I rested the lens on the handrail of the Depot St. Bridge in Rogue River, Oregon, just as a drift-boat was heading toward me in the fog.

Equipment: Sony a7 + Vivitar series-1 70-210mm f/3.5

Photographer: Tough Gritz

Photographer's statement: When the Aspens bring out their fall display, they make for exceptional landscapes like this one on Highway 550 facing north from Silverton, Colorado, toward the town of Ouray, Colorado, on the Western Slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

Equipment: OM System OM-5 II + OMS 8-25 f/4 PRO

Photographer: decentred

Photographer's statement: Shot way back when, on Kodachrome. The light was low, the ISO was 64, I was crouched down, elbows tucked in, holding my breath, dialing in some self-timer to get the mirror slap out of the way early, and shooting at maximum aperture.

Equipment: Nikon FE + Nikkor AI 35mm

Photographer: cbf_si

Photographer's statement: The creeping morning mists herald the arrival of winter. But first, nature delights us with an explosion of autumn colors. Photographed from Mount St. James (Sv. Jakob) in Slovenia.

Equipment: Sony Alpha a99 + Minolta AF 35-70mm F4

Photographer: wim

Photographer's statement: I'm always amazed by the shapes of leaves. They're all different, just like people. I found these personalities and happily placed them side by side.

Equipment: Fujifilm X-T1 + Fujifilm XF 35mm F1.4 R

Photographer: Robert_Schild

Photographer's statement: On a walk through the woods, I came across these branches climbing up trees with a display of beautiful autumn colors. It was still early autumn, and most trees were still green, but these leaves stood out.

Equipment: Pentax K-1

Photographer: REHS

Photographer's statement: When you hear the words "near peak," you need to make your reservations, cancel pending appointments, and activate your back-up coverage. Charge your batteries, pack the essentials, and pray for good weather. And then, get there early!!! It all fell into place this year, but the only show seemed to be in the area just west of Bishop, California. I'm so grateful that I didn't miss this event!!! Yaahoo!!!

Equipment: Nikon D850 + Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

Photographer: more cow bell

Photographer's statement: After some morning rain showers, a shaft of sunlight spotlights a fallen leaf whose journey from treetop to earth was interrupted by a tangle of branches.

Equipment: Fujifilm X-T2 + Fujifilm XF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR

Photographer: gnohz

Photographer's statement: Many photos taken here depict a snowy night scene with street and building lights leading to the main Zao Hall building of the Kinpusen-ji Temple (at top right), so I opted for a different take to show the splendid autumn colors instead.

Equipment: Nikon D850 + Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm F1.4G

Equipment: Nikon D610

Photographer: brian505

Photographer's statement: I captured this photo in a forest back in 2015, showing a giant beech tree that, I was told, might be around a 100 years old. Its trunk was so wide that it would take about four people holding hands to circle it completely.

Equipment: Nikon D7000

With satellites orbiting the Earth exploding into tens of thousands of pieces, the danger of collisions with space debris is a major problem, so Atomic-6 has developed new Space Armor tiles that are lighter and more effective than current systems.

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Category: Space, Science

Tags: Space Junk, Spacecraft, Protection

A new study has pinpointed how the APOE4 gene variant sabotages the brain’s energy balance, blocking neurons from burning fat for fuel when glucose runs low, a discovery that could reveal new ways to prevent or slow Alzheimer’s disease.

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Category: Illnesses and conditions, Body and Mind

Tags: Brain, Alzheimer's disease, metabolism, Genetics, Aarhus University, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine

The Hypershell Pro X exoskeleton might be the closest we'll get – in this age, at least – to being able to instantly tap into a type of superpower, and once you've experienced it, it's hard to go back to just using the legs nature gave you to.

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Category: Gear, Outdoors

Tags: Exoskeleton, Outdoor Technology, Smart technology, Artificial Intelligence, Mobility, Fitness, Hiking, Cycling, Running, Reviews

We usually think of ice as just frozen water. It is simple, solid, and cold. But water is a master of disguise. With just two atoms, hydrogen and oxygen, it can freeze into more than 20 different types of ice. Each type has its own unique internal structure. Some are smooth and familiar, like the kind in your freezer, while others only appear under intense pressure, like in the deep Earth or on distant moons.

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Category: Physics, Science

Tags: Ice, Materials

Yamaha has just added a bunch of handy features to its beloved Ténéré 700 World Raid middleweight adventure motorcycle, which should make it an even better choice than before for extended exploration in 2026.

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Category: Motorcycles, Transport

Tags: Yamaha, Adventure Bikes