The Pixel 10 Pro stands out as Google’s premier smartphone, compact yet powerful, enhancing the capabilities of the already impressive Pixel 10 and raising the bar in the camera category.
This model competes closely with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro, delivering the finest Google hardware without the bulk of a large display. It’s also the most affordable among the trio of Pixel 10 phones, starting at £999 (€1,099/$999/$1,699), with the larger XL and tablet variants hybridizing 10 folds.
The 10 Pro bears a familiar resemblance to its predecessor, featuring a 6.3-inch OLED display that matches the Pixel 10 in size but is notably brighter, smoother, and sharper. As one of the top displays in the mobile realm, its refined aluminum edges and matte glass back exude a premium feel, though the color options are somewhat conservative compared to its less expensive counterparts.
The 10 Pro is among the first devices to incorporate Qi2 wireless charging, allowing compatibility with a variety of magnetic accessories, including those designed for Apple’s MagSafe.
Under the hood lies Google’s latest Tensor G5 chip, offering approximately 35% improved speed over last year’s iteration, though it does not quite match the performance of Qualcomm’s top Android chips found in competing devices. The 10 Pro delivers a smooth user experience and performs well for gaming, although those seeking top-tier graphics may want to explore other options.
Boasting solid battery life, the Pixel enables a mix of 5G and WiFi usage lasting up to two days, with around 7 hours of active screen time. Most users will find they need to charge it every other day, but I managed to get through a heavy usage day in London, ending with approximately 25% battery remaining by midnight.
Specifications
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Screen: 6.3in 120Hz QHD+ OLED (495ppi)
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Processor: Google Tensor G5
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RAM: 16 GB
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Storage: 128, 256, 512GB, or 1TB
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Operating System: Android 16
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Camera: 50MP + 48MP UW + 48MP 5X TELE; 42MP Selfie
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Connectivity: 5G, nano + eSIM (US: eSIM only), WiFi 7, UWB, NFC, Bluetooth 6, GNSS
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Water Resistance: IP68 (1.5m for 30 minutes)
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Size: 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.6mm
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Weight: 207g
Android 16 with AI Integration
Running on Android 16, your phone will receive security and software updates until August 2032, keeping your device current over its lifespan. The software mirrors that of the regular Pixel 10, featuring a bold and colorful aesthetic.
Google has infused AI into various aspects of the phone’s operation, with many features powered by the recent Gemini Nano models. This ensures privacy since processing can occur directly on-device without needing to transmit data.
With Gemini Chat Bot, you can engage with apps, view visuals on-screen, capture content through the camera, or have live interactions through audio.
A standout feature is Magic Cue, which operates in the background by merging data from your Google account with your mobile data to provide assistance or quick recommendations in various Google applications. For instance, when you call a business, Magic Cue displays your card directly in the phone app, and order confirmations are readily accessible with a single tap when needed.
Magic Cue operates locally using around 10 days of data, helping to streamline operations without requiring extensive logs of your activities. It’s exclusive to Google and select third-party apps like eBay, limiting its functionality for users not utilizing compatible applications, such as WhatsApp.
The 10 Pro also includes a one-year subscription to Google AI Pro, which typically costs £19 per month, granting access to more advanced Gemini Pro models for image and video generation, along with 2TB of cloud storage across Google Drive, Photos, and Gmail.
Camera
The 10 Pro features an exceptional camera setup with a 42MP front-facing camera, a 50MP primary camera, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP 5x telephoto lens, delivering up to 10x optical zoom quality. Notably, it debuts direct AI image processing in its camera, which raises intriguing questions about the nature of photography itself.
The primary camera is one of the industry’s finest, capturing a remarkable array of detailed images across varying lighting conditions. The ultrawide camera excels in landscapes and group shots, producing excellent macro photography results for engaging close-ups. The 5x telephoto lens is a highlight, providing exceptional performance even at 10x magnification, especially in good lighting.
Google’s smartphone excels in challenging lighting scenarios, handling bright or high-contrast scenes adeptly. In darker settings, Night Sight provides more accurate color representations compared to its competitors. Additionally, this year sees enhancements to the pixel portrait mode.
Zoom capabilities extend from 30x to 100x, utilizing a local generative AI model to recover lost details and sharpness during digital zooming. It generally performs well, although not flawlessly. AI-generated images may sometimes display inconsistencies in perspective or details. However, capturing predictable subjects like buildings, vehicles, and trees leads to solid results, making the 100x zoom surprisingly user-friendly.
When capturing people, the camera avoids using the Genai model, which might be the most suitable option. Yet, like all generative AI systems, it can occasionally struggle to produce coherent outputs, mirroring what often appears as alien-like scripts.
The camera application has integrated C2PA Content Credentials, documenting not only how images were taken but also whether generative AI was involved in their creation. Best Take functionality captures multiple images with a single press of the shutter button.
The 10 Pro also features AI camera coaching capabilities seen in the standard 10, providing users with guidance on scene composition and optimal shooting angles.
The camera comes loaded with entertaining photography and videography modes, solidifying the 10 Pro’s status as a leading contender in the market.
Sustainability
The battery is designed to last through at least 1,000 full charge cycles, maintaining a minimum of 80% of its original capacity. The phone is repairable by Google, third-party shops, or through DIY methods. A repair manual and accessible parts are available.
The Pixel 10 Pro comprises 30% recycled materials by weight, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, plastic, rare earth elements, tungsten, and tin. The company is transparent about the environmental impact of its phones and offers a program to recycle old devices free of charge.
Price
The Google Pixel 10 Pro is priced at £999 (€1,099/$999/$1,699), offering four color options.
In comparison, the Pixel 10 starts at £799, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is available at £1,199, while the Pixel 9a can be found at £399. The Samsung Galaxy S25 retails for £799, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is priced at £1,249, and the iPhone 16 Pro costs £999.
Verdict
The Pixel 10 Pro does not radically reinvent the smartphone with its enhancements but builds upon the successes of the Pixel 10, itself a strong contender this year. Yet it still elevates market-leading camera capabilities alongside advanced AI integration.
It offers reliable performance, solid battery life, and an attractive design, though avid gamers may prefer options with superior graphics. Google’s version of Android remains among the best, offering years of support for longevity.
Several new features in Gemini provide enhanced convenience with fewer gimmicks. Magic Cue is a valuable tool that saves time without being intrusive, though it could benefit from broader app integration.
The incorporation of generative AI into the camera app refines the zoom experience, albeit it does blur the distinction of traditional photography. Debates about authenticity in photography will undoubtedly arise as usefulness and novelty intersect.
The Pixel 10 Pro is among the finest compact smartphones available, showcasing just how sophisticated Google’s AI tools have become, surpassing both Apple and its other competitors.
Pros: Seven years of software updates, 5x optical zoom, 10x AI zoom, Magic Queue, impressive local AI features, Qi2 wireless charging with magnetic accessory support, solid battery life, excellent display, ergonomic size, quick fingerprint and face recognition, and a year of Google AI Pro subscription.
Cons: Relatively high price, does not match facial recognition safety, lacks best-in-class raw performance, and the absence of a physical SIM card slot in the US, with no major improvements over the standard Pixel 10.
Source: www.theguardian.com
