Pixel 10 Finally Gets GPU Boost with Android 16 QPR3

By siliconindia  |  Thursday, 18 December 2025, 12:12 IST

Pixel 10 Finally Gets GPU Boost with Android 16 QPR3
  • Android 16 QPR3 Beta brings a new PowerVR GPU driver for Tensor G5.
  • Fixes graphics-heavy game lags and boosts efficiency.
  • Users can join Android Beta Program before March 2026 stable release.
Pixel 10 users have long faced frustration with the Tensor G5 chip’s GPU performance, especially when running graphics-heavy games and apps. The issue wasn’t the chip’s power itself, but an outdated GPU driver that held back its true potential. While Android 16 QPR2 offered minor improvements, it didn’t address the core problem until now. With the release of Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1, Google introduces a new PowerVR GPU driver, finally tackling the long-standing bottleneck.
Google didn’t officially announce the updated driver, but users on Reddit noticed that the Pixel 10 now uses driver v25.1, released by Imagination Technologies in August 2025. This update brings support for Android 16, Vulkan 1.4, and expanded OpenCL extensions, promising noticeable gains in both performance and efficiency.
The older driver caused popular, graphics-intensive games to stutter or lag, frustrating many Pixel 10 owners. While the new driver may not deliver a massive performance leap, past Tensor GPU updates have consistently offered meaningful improvements, including smoother gaming, better graphics handling, and more efficient GPU usage.
Google first confirmed it would update the Pixel 10’s GPU driver back in October 2025, leading many to expect the fix with the stable Android 16 QPR2 release. However, the company prioritized other optimizations, such as a more efficient garbage collector that reduced CPU load and improved overall system responsiveness.
With QPR3 Beta 1, Pixel 10 users can finally test the updated GPU driver before the stable rollout scheduled for March 2026. Those who want early access can join the Android Beta Program to experience the improvements firsthand and report performance gains.
This update marks a major step forward in unlocking the Tensor G5’s full potential, giving Pixel 10 users a smoother, more capable experience for gaming, graphics-intensive apps, and everyday tasks. For many, it’s the GPU performance fix they’ve been waiting for since the phone’s launch.