We’ve had a decent amount of time to determine where the Pixel 10 Pro stacks up and what to expect. If you’ve been waiting, here’s everything you need to know.
Design and durability
I’ve been switching between the Pixel 10 Pro and the Pro XL for a little while since their launch, and while I love the larger form factor, the regular Pro might be the one I would recommend to most people. It’s a good size, easier to hold and maneuver, but I know that a bigger screen is better for legibility.
The screen is gorgeous, but if we’re being hypercritical, I would really love the bezels to start shrinking. It’s a nitpick. An important nitpick, though. I just want a little more real estate, as the Adaptive Tone is so damn good. There is not a single bit of content, from videos to webpages, that doesn’t look better when the bezels are almost non-existent. As I say, it’s a nitpick. The bezels aren’t distracting.
My advice for prospective Pixel 10 Pro buyers is to pick a color that isn’t too garish. I fell out of love with the Hazel model last year, but the Moonstone is certainly a better option. However, Obsidian might be the play again. It’s a classic that I wish I had picked, but alas, hindsight is 20-20. There aren’t many cases that color match the brighter tones, so get a clear covering or the official case if you want a little more cohesion.
That leads me to MagSafe or Pixelsnap. Is it a killer addition? I would love to say yes. In reality, it’s just a nice-to-have option. For the Pixel 10 Pro specifically, you can get better wireless charging, but snap-on wallets, stands, and camera mounts are where this truly shines. I do use Pixelsnap, but it’s not something I go out of my way to use. Take a wallet, for example, I would rather use NFC payments. Maybe a camera mount is useful when traveling, but I find it a little unwieldy.
Another little nitpick is that because the design has remained basically the same, it doesn’t feel any different in a tangible way. I love the design; maybe a nip and tuck here and there would be nice in the future. Some of the materials need a little attention to really elevate the “premium” feel. There isn’t anything directly wrong with the Pixel 10 Pro; it is just a rung below the likes of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone in terms of in-hand feel.
Performance
So many people have told me on social media that the Pixel 10 Pro’s performance is terrible and that it’s a bad device. I’m convinced that most of those people only ever look at spreadsheets before making an active judgment of a modern smartphone. Yes, the Pixel 10 Pro is not actively uprooting trees with unbridled power. No, I don’t see slowdowns or degraded performance in my day-to-day.
What is noticeable is how polished Material 3 Expressive is, and if there are instances where hiccups are there, it’s expertly hidden. A few things still irk. I’m annoyed that some tasks still take a little longer to process. For instance, I use and highly recommend the Cobalt.tools service to download memes from Instagram. Local processing is a lot slower on my Pixel 10 Pro versus the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Does that ruin the experience? In my case, not one iota.
I’m very much aware that Google should be doing more to make sure that the Pixel 10 is optimized to the nth degree so long as it exists. Tensor G5 hasn’t let me down at any stage so far. Am I worried about it? Not really, but I get the complaints, and you’re right to want more from a device that matches the price of far more accomplished competition.
But as I articulate that point, I’m impressed with how well Google optimizes despite that. I’m salivating at the prospect of a truly high-end chip in a Pixel. Something that could, in theory, be useful for the desktop mode that is still in active development. Pair with a mouse and keyboard, and I could see myself having lots of fun with emulation and maybe even a little work here and there.
To counteract that, I have used the iPhone 17 Pro Max as a backup for a little while. Obviously, I’m biased in favor of Android, but despite all that unbridled power, the Pixel actually feels smoother and faster. Sure, some of this is due to how iOS handles animations and the nuances between the two operating systems, but I don’t worry too much about that when I’m having such a fun time with Android 16.
Camera
One of the major things that has always stood out to me when using a Pixel as my main phone camera is just how much I rely on its consistency. It’s hard not to be impressed with how easily you will get a great photo and how well this admittedly familiar triple camera setup continues to produce excellent photos, no matter the weather, lighting, or what you’re taking a picture of.
I’ve already taken photos that I will cherish, but maybe I’d like Google to add a little more flavor to the mix now. The color accuracy is still pretty good, but images are flatter than some of the competitors. Contrast isn’t such a key component anymore, something I fell in love with back with older Pixel phones.
By no means am I upset with any photo the Pixel can produce; I just think a little bit of a tweak might make things really pop without getting into the overprocessed category. The natural bokeh and focus fall off remain a real highlight. Photos have lots of depth and character despite feeling a little flat at times.
My advice would be to experiment with the 5x telephoto. It’s exceptionally well-tuned, and photos look great with superb background compression and tack-sharp subjects.
Pro Res Zoom is also something I never thought I’d be recommending people to play with. Forgot trying to zoom in past 60x, and get closer to your subject or the scene, and watch the processing lift areas and improve the photo. Sure, it’s uncanny at times, but photography is about playing around.
Even the video hasn’t really let me down at any stage. I don’t record much, but it is still very good on the Pixel, and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. For short clips, why would you be mad? Video Boost isn’t an ideal solution, but at least it helps reduce the on-device workload. Some updates have improved the Night Sight Video to the point where I can recommend using it when it starts to get dark.
Battery and longevity
I have yet to be blown away by the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL lifespan. They’re decent, but not quite amazing. However, I am a little concerned about how the battery is going to last even longer into the future.
Up until the recent November patch, with less than 40 charge cycles, the “Battery” section on my Pixel 10 Pro XL stated that I had 99% battery health. 1% may sound insignificant, but that’s equivalent to around 50mAh in just a few months. If that had continued, I could have 10% cell degradation in just a year.
That would be woeful, and it does potentially create a pain point. Luckily, if this is a software-related bug, it has been remedied, but it’s not clear what would cause this to report incorrectly. I’m still cautious about the longevity because of what might end up being a simple software reporting error.
Sure, I’ll get almost two days of super light usage, but just how well the internal cell will hold up is anyone’s guess. I’m hoping it’s just an issue with how battery health is reported in the Settings application rather than it being a hardware fault. One other saving grace is that reports of similar experiences are not widespread. Fingers crossed this doesn’t become a common problem, as it could have a significant impact on lifespan in the long term.
Final thoughts
The Pixel 10 Pro has become a mainstay in my pocket, which, as I alluded to in my 30-day overview, I really hadn’t anticipated. I’m content, not blown away. I can’t hand on heart say that the Pixel 10 Pro is the best Android phone of 2025.
That would be a lie. That honor probably belongs to the OnePlus 13, but there is a reassuring experience with a Pixel that is just like putting on a comfortable pair of slippers.
Sure, there are more jazzy, colorful, playful, and sporty footwear options out there, but those slippers are cozy and comfy. Maybe I’m just not ready to break in a new pair, yet.
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