Pixel 10 Review with Pros & Cons - Pro Level Upgrades?

Summary

In this detailed review, Ranjit explores the Google Pixel 10, highlighting its premium build, solid 6.3-inch display, and excellent haptics. He praises the improved battery life, loud speakers, and enhanced camera system, including a 5x telephoto zoom and better video stabilization. While the Tensor G5 processor handles everyday tasks smoothly, it lags behind Snapdragon 8 Elite for gaming and benchmarks. Portrait mode and ultra-wide low-light performance have minor limitations, and always-on display affects battery efficiency. Overall, Ranjit recommends the Pixel 10 for most users, noting it closes the gap between regular and Pro series Pixels, offering flagship features at a more accessible price.

Takeaways

• 📱 The Google Pixel 10 has a 6.3-inch screen with slightly larger bezels compared to the Pro version, maintaining a solid build quality with a matte Gorilla Glass back.
• 🖐️ The phone features excellent haptic feedback, arguably superior to many Android flagships, including Samsung's S25 and Fold series.
• 🔄 The display supports 60–120 Hz refresh rate, but unlike the Pro, it does not have a variable refresh rate, which may affect battery life with always-on display.
• ⚡ Powered by the Tensor G5 processor (3nm TSMC), the Pixel 10 handles everyday tasks smoothly but is outperformed by Snapdragon 8 Elite in benchmarks and gaming.
• 🎮 Casual gaming runs fine, but hardcore gamers seeking maximum performance may prefer Snapdragon 8 Elite devices.
• 🔊 Speakers are louder and clearer than previous Pixels, providing high-quality audio even at maximum volume.
• 📶 5G performance is strong with AEL SIM in India, achieving download speeds up to 671 Mbps; Wi-Fi calling works if prioritized over mobile network.
• 💾 India variant starts at 256 GB with UFS 4 storage, offering faster storage compared to the US base model.
• 🔋 Battery capacity is 4,970 mAh, delivering 6–9 hours of screen-on time depending on usage, with support for 15W magnetic wireless charging.
• 📸 Camera setup includes a 48 MP main sensor, 13 MP ultra-wide, and new 10.8 MP 5x telephoto lens, providing better stabilization, natural night shots, and improved portrait mode, though edge hair blurring can still be imperfect.
• 🎥 Front camera records 4K video at 30fps with speech enhancement, or 60fps without it; blur video mode is rear camera only and works inconsistently.
• ✅ Overall, the Pixel 10 closes the gap between regular and Pro Pixels, offering strong battery, improved thermals, excellent build, and camera performance, making it highly recommended for general users.

Q & A

What is the screen size and refresh rate of the Pixel 10?

The Pixel 10 has a 6.3-inch screen that supports a 120 Hz refresh rate. Unlike the Pro version, it has a fixed refresh range from 60 Hz to 120 Hz, lacking the variable refresh rate feature.

How does the build quality of the Pixel 10 compare to the Pro version?

The Pixel 10 has a solid build quality similar to the Pro series. It features a matte Gorilla Glass back that resists fingerprints, while the Pro version has a glossy back.

What improvements have been made in the Pixel 10's haptics?

The haptic feedback on the Pixel 10 is excellent, comparable to the Pro version, and superior to many Android flagships like the Samsung S25 and Fold series.

How does the Pixel 10 perform in terms of network reception and 5G speeds?

The Pixel 10 performs well with 5G speeds and network reception. In city areas, it recorded download speeds of 671 Mbps and upload speeds of 86.8 Mbps. Wi-Fi calling works well, but the default setting prefers mobile calls over Wi-Fi.

What are the storage options for the Pixel 10 in India compared to the US?

In India, the Pixel 10 starts with 256 GB of UFS 4.0 storage, whereas the base variant in the US comes with 128 GB and lacks UFS 4.0.

How does the Tensor G5 processor compare to Snapdragon 8 Elite?

The Tensor G5 does not outperform the Snapdragon 8 Elite in benchmarks. The Pixel 10 handles daily tasks and moderate gaming well but is not ideal for hardcore gaming compared to Snapdragon 8 Elite devices.

What improvements have been made to the Pixel 10's battery life?

The Pixel 10 has a 4,970 mAh battery, offering improved battery life over the Pixel 9. Screen-on time ranges from 6 to 9 hours depending on usage, and the device handles mobile data usage without significant overheating.

What are the main camera specifications of the Pixel 10?

The Pixel 10 has a 48 MP main camera with OIS, a 13 MP ultra-wide camera, and a new 10.8 MP 5x telephoto zoom camera. The front camera is 10.5 MP, offering good skin tone reproduction and portrait mode with improved bokeh.

How does the video recording perform on the Pixel 10?

The rear camera records 4K 30 fps video with voice enhancement and stabilization. The front camera records up to 4K 60 fps if speech enhancement is off. The device offers a 5x optical zoom for rear video, though higher zooms can reduce quality.

What are the key differences between the regular Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro?

Key differences include the Pro's variable refresh rate (1 Hz to 120 Hz), slightly smaller bezels, and glossy back versus the matte back on the regular Pixel 10. Camera performance is also slightly better on the Pro, especially in handling fine edges in portrait mode.

Can the Pixel 10 support wireless charging?

Yes, the Pixel 10 supports magnetic wireless charging at 15 W, similar to Apple's MagSafe. It is compatible with QI charging accessories.

Is the Pixel 10 recommended for previous Pixel users?

Yes, unlike previous regular Pixel models (Pixel 7, 8, 9), the Pixel 10 is recommended due to improvements in battery life, build quality, camera, and reduced heating issues.