Google’s Pixel 10 sequence does not reinvent the wheel and that is a very good factor

Like clockwork, Google is again with the Pixel 10 sequence, and much like years previous — with the Pixel 9 line’s redesign being the important thing exception — many of the upgrades this time round are underneath the hood.

From a design perspective, the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL look an identical to final yr’s gadgets, other than a couple of new colours (you possibly can additionally make the identical argument in regards to the Pixel 10 Professional Fold). Google has undoubtedly adopted the “if it isn’t damaged, do not repair it” philosophy in terms of the Pixel 10 line, which is not essentially a nasty factor. That stated, when you had been hoping this is able to be a notable improve yr, you will be dissatisfied with the Pixel 10 line.

The Pixel 10 is poised to supply the very best smartphone worth round this yr

Final yr’s Pixel 9 was already nice, and this yr’s base Pixel builds on that

Essentially the most attention-grabbing within the sequence this yr is the Pixel 10, because of its new triple-rear digicam setup. Final yr, the Pixel 9 was the telephone most Android customers can buy, and the Pixel 10 kicks that argument up a couple of notches now that it includes a f/3.1 10.8-megapixel telephoto lens, alongside its primary f/1.7 48-megapixel and f/2.2 13-megapixel ultrawide.

I have not examined the digicam’s efficiency totally but, but when it comes near matching the Pixel 10 Professional and Pixel 10 Professional XL, it is poised to supply a few of the finest smartphone worth on the market and have a definite benefit over the single-lens iPhone 16e. I’ve all the time argued that having the ability to get nearer to a topic, no matter what you are taking pictures, is way extra helpful than a wider body.

Different behind-the-scenes enhancements embody Google’s Tensor G5 chip, identical to the remainder of the Pixel 10 line, alongside a display that is able to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, a rise from the Pixel 9’s 2,700 nits. In my temporary hands-on time with the telephone, did I discover an enormous display distinction? Not likely, however that would change once I extra totally take a look at the telephone and take it exterior. I will additionally must run benchmarks on the G5 to see the way it compares to the G4.

Model

Google

SoC

Tensor G5

Show

6.3-inch Actua Show 1080 x 2424 pixel decision OLED (60-120Hz)

RAM

12GB

Storage

128GB/256GB

Battery

4,970mAh

Google’s Pixel 10 options the tech large’s new Tensor G5 chip and a three-camera setup for the primary time that features a 10.8-megapixel telephoto digicam.

The battery has additionally been upgraded to 4,970mAh in comparison with final yr’s 4,700, so the telephone ought to provide higher battery life. Many of the Pixel 10’s different key specs, together with its 6.3-inch 1080 x 2424 pixel decision OLED (422ppi) (60-120Hz) Actua Show, 12GB of RAM, and 128GB/256GB of storage, stay the identical as final yr’s Pixel 9.

Circling again to the design, the Pixel 10 appears an identical to the Pixel 9, together with its matte-colored sides and, sadly, its shiny again. I might choose if each the rear and the edges of the telephone had been matte because it appears extra refined, sleeker, and repels mud and smudges higher.

The sizeable digicam bump returns, too, so when you weren’t a fan of it final yr, you additionally will not be keen on its imposing presence now. I nonetheless like the feel and appear that it offers the telephone a singular look that stands out (no less than till the reportedly very similar-looking iPhone 17 arrives in a couple of weeks). It is price noting that I actually like the brand new lemongrass shade — it simply pops in a approach that so few smartphone colorways do.

Qi2 Pixelsnap wi-fi charging can be accessible on the bottom Pixel 10, alongside a number of new AI options (extra on this later). The Pixel 10 begins at $799 within the USD/$1,099 CAD, and is on the market in obsidian, indigo, frost, and lemongrass.

The Pixel 10 Professional and Pixel 10 Professional XL are again… and really acquainted

The return of the king

Like the bottom Pixel, the Pixel 10 Professional and Pixel 10 Professional XL look an identical to their predecessors, together with their shiny sides and matte again. Why Google hasn’t opted for an all-around matte look with its high-end telephone, I will by no means perceive (the Pixel 10’s matte sides look much more refined). The sizable digicam bump returns, too.

{Hardware} upgrades embody the Tensor G5 and a show that may hit 3,300 nits of peak brightness, a rise from 3,000 nits. Not like the Pixel 10, I observed the distinction in brightness nearly instantly with the Pixel 10 Professional. The 6.3-inch 1,280 x 2,856 pixel decision (495ppi) OLED 1-120Hz Tremendous Actua display on the Pixel 9 Professional, and the 6.8-inch 1,344 x 2,992 pixel decision (486ppi) OLED 1-120Hz Tremendous Precise show, each look nice and are an identical to final yr past the brightness bump. I nonetheless choose the 6.3-inch Pixel 10 Professional to the 6.8-inch Pixel 10 Professional XL — it is simply extra comfy to carry in a single hand.

• 

  Model

  Google

  SoC

  Tensor G5

  Show

  6.3-inch Tremendous Actua show 1280 x 2856 pixel decision OLED (1-120Hz)

  RAM

  16GB

  Storage

  128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

  Battery

  4,870mAh, 30+ hours of battery life

  The Pixel 10 Professional options Google’s new Tensor G5 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB of storage. The smartphone’s general design appears similar to its predecessor, together with its sprawling digicam bump. 

  
  

• 

  Model

  Google

  SoC

  Tensor G5

  Show

  6.8-inch Tremendous Actua show 1344 x 2992 pixel decision OLED (1-120Hz)

  RAM

  16GB

  Storage

  256GB, 512GB, 1TB

  Battery

  5,200mAh, 30+ hours of battery life

  The 6.8-inch Pixel 10 XL options the identical specs because the Pixel 10, together with Google’s Tensor G5 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a collection of Gemini AI-powered options. 

  
  

Google says that the Pixel 10 Professional and Pixel 10 Professional XL are extra sturdy this yr, however that is a declare I will must put to the take a look at over the following few months (although, I all the time put my telephones in circumstances anyway). RAM is available in at 16GB once more, alongside 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB of storage choices. There are minor battery dimension will increase this yr at 4,870 and 5,200, respectively, for the Pixel 10 Professional and Pixel 10 Professional XL, a rise from 4,700 mAh and 5,060 mAh, with the Pixel 9 Professional and Pixel 9 Professional XL. I doubt this can make a considerable distinction in battery life, however it’s nonetheless price noting.

On the digicam entrance, specs additionally stay an identical, with a f/1.68 50-megapixel large, a f/1.7 48-megapixel ultrawide, and a f/2.8 48-megapixel telephoto.

The entrance digicam can be nonetheless a f/2.2 42-megapixel shooter. New this yr is Professional Res Zoom as much as 100x, which, once more, I did not get to strive for myself. I watched a demo of it in motion, and it appears spectacular, however I will must put it by its paces. The identical might be stated in regards to the improved stabilization with Video Enhance.

After all, there’s additionally a slew of AI options this time round, together with Magic Cue, which makes use of Gemini to seek out what you need as you want it, all with context in thoughts. In a approach, it type of seems like AI-powered auto-complete to your life. For instance, it may well pull your flight particulars right into a dialog you are having along with your good friend about journey plans. I did not get the prospect to strive it myself, however it was spectacular.

It seems like an AI dream, so I am hoping it is as helpful because it appears. There’s additionally Digital camera Coach, which provides photo-snapping suggestions like higher angles and lighting. I watched a demo of this function in motion, and it appears sort of foolish, however it may be helpful when you’re attempting to up your images sport. I will must strive it myself earlier than passing last judgment. Auto Finest Take, one other new AI function, robotically finds and combines related pictures to create a single photograph that mixes all the themes.

A few of these AI options sound sort of wild, and in my hands-on demo, I wasn’t in a position to strive them for myself. With a couple of exceptions, just like the Screenshots app and Magic Eraser, I’ve largely ignored Gemini on the Pixel 9 Professional, and I am undecided if that may change with the Pixel 10’s AI options.

I actually like MagSafe with my iPhone 16 Professional (I will by no means hand over my MagSafe PopSocket), so it is nice to see Qi2 lastly make its solution to an Android machine within the type of PixelSnap on the Pixel 10 sequence. I performed round with the PixelSnap Charger with Stand ($99) a bit on the hands-on occasion, and it feels and appears nearly precisely like Apple’s MagSafe puck, which undoubtedly is not a nasty factor. I did not get an opportunity to strive the brand new PixelSnap telephone circumstances, however I am trying ahead to checking them out once I get my arms on a evaluate machine.

I solely spent a short time period with Google’s Pixel 10 lineup, however I walked away impressed. The smartphones feel and look like final yr’s gadgets, however there are marginal upgrades on the within. Which means when you already personal a Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Professional, you may not really feel the necessity to improve this yr, even when you’re a diehard Pixel consumer. Then again, when you’re utilizing an older Pixel machine and suppose the Pixel 10 sequence’ new AI options sound helpful, it could possibly be price selecting up.

I will have extra on the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Professional, and Pixel 10 Professional XL within the coming days. The Pixel 10 Professional and Pixel 10 Professional XL price $1,100 USD/$1,349 CAD and $1,200 USD/$1,629, respectively, and can be found in obsidian, moonstone, porcelain, and jade, on August 28.