Pixel 10 Pro Review: Stellar Camera, Flaws to Consider
Every year, Google’s annual refresh of its Pixel line brings excitement among tech enthusiasts. The Pixel devices are renowned not just for their elegant hardware but also for the distinctive visor design on the back, which is quickly becoming iconic—think of it as a nod to the futuristic aesthetic of Star Trek fans. Coupled with one of the most user-friendly interfaces in the Android ecosystem, the Pixel phones deliver a plethora of features that keep users engaged. Observationally, the presence of Pixel phones in public seems to be growing, particularly in 2025, extending beyond just the usual tech-savvy crowd. While its market share is still modest, the upward trajectory is undeniable.
This year’s Pixel 10 Pro, however, doesn’t quite deliver the same level of innovation we've seen in past iterations. While it brings some new features to the table, not all of them hit the mark. And let’s be honest, the choice of Jimmy Fallon as the host for the Made by Google event didn’t quite win everyone over either.
That said, the Pixel 10 Pro remains an enjoyable device to experiment with, primarily due to the much-hyped camera bump on its back. Google has promised that its flagship Pixel will feature the best phone camera ever, and initial impressions suggest it might just be living up to that promise. After using the Pixel 10 Pro for nearly a week, I’m ready to share my thoughts. There’s a lot to appreciate in this phone (as well as in the closely related Pixel 10 Pro XL), so let’s dive in.
Pixel 10 Pro Specs and Design: Familiar Yet Fresh
Let’s take a closer look at the specifications:
- Processor: Google Tensor G5 chipset
- Rear Cameras: 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto
- Front Camera: 48MP
- Display: 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED (1280x2856 resolution)
- Refresh Rate: Adaptive from 1-120Hz
- Brightness: 3,300 nits peak brightness
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Battery: 4,870mAh
In terms of design, Google has opted to retain the familiar aesthetics of the Pixel line, with dimensions identical to its predecessor. The Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro are so similar in appearance that I accidentally picked up the Pixel 10 while preparing for a camera test, only realizing my mistake after 30 minutes of driving.
That’s a personal oversight, but it highlights a point: consistency can be both a strength and a weakness.
The Google-engineered Tensor G5 processor, built on a 3nm process, brings the Pixel in line with other flagship devices. While 16GB of RAM is generous, I received the 128GB variant, which quickly filled up to 56%. This is concerning, as we’re long overdue for 256GB to become the standard for flagship devices. Thankfully, Google provides seamless access to cloud storage.
The battery capacity has increased slightly—by 3% compared to last year’s Pro model. However, the most significant improvement is the inclusion of Qi2 wireless charging across the entire Pixel 10 series, complete with magnetic support. This marks a notable advancement, as the Pixel 10 Pro is arguably the first mainstream phone with built-in magnet support. As a fan of MagSafe, I consider this a welcome addition.
Software Experience: Striking the Right Chord, but Not Without Flaws
The Pixel software is often regarded as one of the best experiences on Android—clean, intuitive, and filled with engaging interactions. Among the new AI features Google is promoting are the Daily Hub and Magic Cue, which come with their fair share of pros and cons.
The Daily Hub offers a personalized summary of your day right at the top of your Google Discover feed. Tapping it reveals a digest of upcoming events from your calendar, emails, and preferences. The top section showcases your reminders, while the bottom section suggests YouTube videos—because who doesn’t love a good recommendation? The effectiveness of this feature largely depends on your engagement with the platform.
On the flip side, Magic Cue is designed to curate information from various sources for you. For instance, when someone asks for a contact number, Magic Cue can suggest it automatically—at least, that’s the theory. However, during my testing, I found that this feature was hit or miss. Magic Cue worked seamlessly when I was asked for a contact number, providing an autocomplete suggestion. However, when I was asked about my flight details, it merely offered a link to my calendar instead of directly providing the information I needed.
Moreover, when I needed my Global Entry number—a note pinned in Google Keep—Magic Cue did not deliver any results. In another instance, while reaching out to United Airlines, it pulled up an old travel voucher instead of my current itinerary. While it’s nice to see some connections being made, it’s frustrating when the most relevant information isn’t surfaced. This suggests that Magic Cue is still in its developmental stages, requiring time to refine its capabilities.
Performance and Battery Life
Historically, Google’s Tensor processors have faced criticism for not measuring up to competitors like Apple and Qualcomm. That said, while the performance of the Tensor chip isn't the fastest, it is sufficient for typical smartphone tasks. The Pixel 10 Pro handles app launches and multitasking with ease, and it supports onboard AI features, such as live language translation.
During testing, I played a few games, including the graphics-intensive Asphalt Legends. After a 20-minute session, there was no noticeable lag or excessive heating—a marked improvement over previous Pixel models.
In terms of battery life, my experience has been quite positive. Even with rigorous camera testing, I consistently ended the day with 30-40% battery remaining. Unless you’re a heavy gamer or regularly capturing high-definition video, the battery performance should meet your needs.
Camera Performance: A Dual Nature
Having extensively tested the camera in a previous comparison with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, here’s the bottom line: The main camera of the Pixel 10 Pro lives up to its reputation, setting a high bar for smartphone photography. The Pixel 10 Pro outperforms the S25 Ultra in many aspects, especially with its 100x Super Res Zoom, which is nothing short of stunning. While portrait mode can be a bit cumbersome, overall, it’s challenging to take a poor photo during daylight hours.
However, nighttime photography tells a different story. While the main camera performs satisfactorily, capturing decent shots, the ultrawide and telephoto lenses struggle significantly in low light conditions. Movement also impacts the clarity of photos, resulting in disappointing images.
Video performance mirrors this trend. The Night Sight video mode, a feature introduced with the Pixel Pro 8, performs admirably in low-light conditions, reducing shakiness and enhancing clarity, but it still falls short of expectations for high-quality video capture. While it’s adequate for casual videos during a night out, it wouldn’t be my first choice for a professional shoot.
This is a significant letdown, given Google’s reputation for excellence in smartphone photography. The disparity between daytime and nighttime performance is notable and somewhat troubling.
Pixel 10 Pro: Final Thoughts
In summary, the Pixel 10 Pro is an impressive smartphone, though it does have a few notable shortcomings. A key point of contention is Google’s shift to eSIM only, which can be frustrating for users who frequently change devices (as evidenced by the lengthy activation process I encountered with T-Mobile).
While nighttime photography is disappointing, the daytime performance, particularly with Super Res Zoom, almost compensates for these drawbacks. The hardware is solid, although a more vibrant color selection would be a welcome change. The software experience is delightful as is, and if Magic Cue can fulfill its potential, it could evolve from a neat feature to a game-changer. Currently, it skews more towards the "neat" side of the spectrum. The only reason I haven’t made this my daily driver is its lack of a foldable design—something I'm eagerly anticipating with the upcoming Pixel 10 Pro Fold set to launch in October. I’m here for it! ```
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