It has been almost 30 days since Google officially launched the Pixel 10 lineup, and the 10 Pro XL is the best of the bunch. Here’s what I have learned, having used it for the full month post-launch.
Staying the same is a sensible choice
Google’s decision to stick to 99% of the same design seems like a great one. Mostly, because this has allowed the company to address a few things that maybe needed some attention from the Pixel 9 lineup.
The downside is that all of these little changes to the Pixel 10 Pro XL are almost inconsequential to the untrained eye. When all are combined, there are some interesting upgrades to a formula that received plaudits last year.
I am sort of glad that Google settled on a design for another year. Looking back at the previous models, it felt like your Pixel could change for the sake of it, and that really isn’t necessary now. I’m still annoyed that there is no backward compatibility for accessories like cases and covers, but you’ll have to test some for yourself, as not every single accessory is incompatible.
Adaptive Tone has vastly improved the display experience over the Pixel 9 lineup when I’ve been using this phone over the past month. It’s nothing new on smartphones, but it works exceptionally. Not to mention that it enhances your experience with Material 3 Expressive, as colors pop that little bit more all throughout the day.
At night, I have also found that dark mode has fewer problems with green tinting or blooming around the edges. It also means that blacks are not diluted. It seems like a small change, but I like that there is extra attention to detail and small improvements every release mean greater leaps for people who upgrade every few years.
The enhanced speakers give audio so much more oomph when you’re watching videos or listening to a podcast without headphones. The display and speakers are a match made in heaven and it’s something I hadn’t anticipated.
I’m not saying that the Pixel 9 had bad speakers in any way, shape, or form, but now there is a real depth and richness to all sounds that felt missing on the 9 Pro XL. Right out of the gate, music and spoken word are the most obvious areas of improvement. The highest volume levels seem better than the Pixel 9 Pro XL. There is no tinniness, plus there is a little more nuance in apps like YouTube Music when at the highest volume totem. It’s not all that important if you keep your phone on silent all the time or listen using Bluetooth headphones or speakers, but it is something that people truly care about.
Another tangible benefit is that when you are on a call, you can hear people much more clearly through the earpiece and when on loudspeaker. Not something you should do in a crowded space, but the change is very welcome.
When I’m typing or tapping, I do feel a minor difference in the haptics. It feels like there is at least a minor increase in the Z-axis vibration. That said, Material 3 Expressive does add more vibrations to system areas, so it could simply be this UI improvement and unrelated. Maybe we can get more options like Oppo and OnePlus phones to tune haptics on Pixel at some point. I’d love to play around with how vibrations feel on my Pixel 10 Pro XL.
After a month, I thought the initial awe of Pixelsnap, AKA Magsafe, would have dulled, but no, it’s honestly awesome to be able to go lightweight with my phone. It goes further than that, though. Having more accessories on tap is great now. I can pull up Amazon or any other online retailer and just find something that’ll stick to the back of my phone with or without a case.
The next generation of Pixelsnap on Pixel 11+ does need stronger magnets. Some accessories can slip and slide on the back of your phone or case. So long as that Magsafe wallet has good magnets, it’ll attach firmly and safely.
Everywhere else I can’t complain, this is the Pixel 9 Pro XL again, but with added attention to detail. I’m glad Google is refining rather than trying to reinvent this year.
Hands-off AI enhancements are the way to get people onside.
If, and it’s a big “if”, the wealth of AI additions to the Pixel 10 series start to work as advertised, then we’ll all have an incredible experience day-to-day with any of the new phones. Right now, things are a little fragmented in that we have some that are working as intended, plus a few that only work randomly.
Magic Cue is the prime example. When it works, it’s excellent. Most of the time, it just sits dormant and barely gets involved. I’m seeing it more often than not in the wrong places. For instance, Google Maps will surface a suggestion I don’t need.
It is way better in areas like Google Messages when the person you’re chatting with asks you a question. I think this hands-off approach feels more natural, but maybe we could adjust settings to get it to be more aggressive at surfacing on-device information, provided you’re comfortable with it. One thing I have noticed is that Magic Cue has improved drastically post-launch, and I hope it continues to get better and works outside of just Google’s first-party apps. I barely use most of these and want to see more places where it’ll jump in and save me a search.
Pro Res Zoom has been the most confusing function as it inserts information that isn’t there, but sometimes, it makes a blocky photo something to truly remember. Being realistic about what you can expect is also a good thing. You are meant to experiment with the function. I feel like Google giving you the original plus the AI-enhanced shot subtly reiterates this to you when you’re in the Photos app.
When I’m out and I see a squirrel from afar, I feel the need to take a photo. From 30 feet, you can get some stellar shots once the enhancement is applied. Fur and intricate details are effectively “revealed” when, in actuality, they’re added post-shutter press. This is why I’m confused. I am telling myself it’s not what the camera was able to capture, but the end result is impressive, and I’m torn about it. On the one hand, I love it; on the other hand, is this something Google will utilize more when I really want the company to add more to the next-generation Pixel camera hardware system?
I feel like there is a fine balance, and the company needs to ensure that not every hardware shortcoming has AI shoehorned in to try and fill the gaps. In my opinion, it’ll end badly if Google does this. Does it diminish how much I’m using Pro Res Zoom? Absolutely not. I’m a full-on hypocrite.
I highly appreciate that Pro Res Zoom isn’t a destructive AI edit. The original image is preserved, which is great because you can decide whether to keep or delete the original photo or just ignore the processed photo entirely.
Does AI matter when the software is this good?
AI, AI, AI, does it really make a big difference if the fundamentals are solid? I think Material 3 Expressive is the perfect way to drive people back to your phones or at least make people take a good, hard look at what they’re missing out on.
Take for instance Apple’s Liquid Glass, which has truly divided opinion online. It is a major shift and feels like a design change from a company that is looking outside of the walled garden for ideas, despite being the outright industry leader.
On the Pixel 10 Pro XL Android 16 QPR1 is a genuine triumph, and it’s only set to improve as Google preps QPR2 for release before the end of year. Most of the biggest complaints we’ve had with Material You have been addressed with a few more set to be fixed by December 2025.
Animations are fully realised. Playful touches make certain areas feel alive. I was excited for the launch and the stable version has rocketed the experience above any other skinned version of Android 16 – not that many are available all that widely.
For potential converts, the extra attention paid will no doubt help people feel at home on their phone. You don’t have to give up great design for fads and throwing out core accessibility functionality. I’ve played with the iPhone 17 Pro Max since launch, and many people will really like making the switch to a UI that is not trying to inhibit their experience.
Much ado about power
This is the last year Google can get a pass for the lack of power in the homegrown SoC. The Tensor G5 processor lacks a distinct competitive edge, and it is more apparent this year than ever before. Although not to defend the chip too much, it is only truly noticeable in specific circumstances.
I can’t say the Pixel 10 Pro XL feels slow or sluggish, because that would be an outright lie. Maybe there are things that the OnePlus 13 or Galaxy S25 Ultra can do better. In most cases, you’re not going to notice. This feels like the Pixel 5 moment all over again. Make sure all the problems are fixed before Google can really start to make gains in core system performance. Resolving the major overheating problems with Tensor means the next wave can be tuned and I’m excited for the future of the lineup provided we get parity with at least the previous generation top tier processors.
I have not pushed the chip in the here and now. Balatro runs fine. Images process a little slower than competitors’, and maybe some apps could open faster. In some ways, Google has made it easy for you to decide on your next phone. Care about having a chip that hits the top of the leaderboard? Well, a Tensor-powered Pixel has never been the right choice for you anyway.
I switched over from the Galaxy S25 Ultra and I’m still having a blast. I can’t say I expected that.
A good phone hindered by the retail price
I don’t care as much about the performance shortfall as I expected, but I can’t recommend it at its full retail pricing because you can get better deals in the coming weeks and months. Google is notorious for dropping the pricing of its latest devices within a few weeks or months of launch. We’re already seeing some sales pop up. Expect that to get even more aggressive now that the iPhone 17 series has hit store shelves globally, too.
There is a good phone underneath the exorbitant asking price. Arguably and objectively the best Pixel to date. It follows a couple of good years for the lineup, so it might not receive huge fanfare, but I’ve enjoyed it more than I expected. All of the little things have made for a better experience in most areas.
To be 100% transparent: I actually expected to switch back to the Galaxy S25 Ultra in a few months. I doubt I will do that now. I’m pleasantly surprised, and there’s a lot to like, nay love, about the Pixel 10 Pro XL. So long as you know what you’re getting and what you’re not getting. Yes, the price is too high, but the optics of a lower asking price than the iPhone show a lack of confidence in the product. Google is confident in the Pixel 10 this year and in lots of ways, rightfully so.
Is it the best phone? Not by a long shot. Is it the best Pixel? Yes, by an admittedly small margin.
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