When it comes to Google’s Pixel phones, I can’t remember the last time I didn’t make one of the Pro models my daily driver. Power users like myself gravitate toward the Pro models for a number of reasons, but this year’s standard Pixel 10 makes for a compelling change to finally break the cycle.
That’s because the Pixel 10 is without question the biggest upgrade in the series in recent memory, which I think lessens the gap between it and the more expensive Pixel 10 Pro.
Last year, I argued how the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL were overrated compared to the Pixel 9. The Pixel 10 makes a stronger point this time, backed with a dedicated telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom — and with nearly the same set of AI features.
The upcoming iPhone 17 and Galaxy S26 releases have a lot to be worried about because the Pixel 10 seemingly offers incredible value at $799. In my Pixel 10 hands-on, I’ll tell why I think it’s the phone that most people should get.
Google Pixel 10 hands-on review: Specifications
Google Pixel 10 |
|
Starting price |
$799 / £799 / AU$1,349 |
Display |
6.3-inch 1080 x 2424 Actua Display (OLED) |
Refresh Rate |
60-120Hz |
Chipset |
Tensor G5 |
RAM |
12GB |
Storage |
128GB, 256GB |
Rear cameras |
48MP (f/1.7) main, 13MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 10.8MP (f/3.1) telephoto w/5x optical zoom |
Front camera |
10.5MP (f/2.2) |
Battery size |
4,970 mAh |
Charging Speed |
30W wired, 15W wireless |
Size |
6 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches (152.8 x 72. x 8.6 mm) |
Weight |
7.2 oz (204 grams) |
Colors |
Obsidian, Indigo, Frost, Lemongrass |
Google Pixel 10 hands-on review: Price and release date
Before anything else, I’m thrilled that the Pixel 10’s starting price remains at $799 / AU$1,349. Given how the base Pixel has seen price increases the last couple of years, it’s nice to get a bit of a break. With that price, it comes with 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. If you need more, the Pixel 10 is also offered with 256GB of storage.
Similar to previous releases, you get your standard black and white options: Obsidian and Frost. Meanwhile, Indigo and Lemongrass are two other options with the kind of color pop I want in a phone. Between them, I prefer the more saturated tone of Indigo.
Preorders for the Pixel 10 are available right now, with a full release on August 28.
Google Pixel 10 hands-on review: Design
Google doesn’t change up the formula that much, as the Pixel 10 features the same design language as the previous Pixel 9 — emphasized largely by its flat edges, rounded corners, and elongated camera bar.
I would say that the Pixel 10 has one of the most flattering designs at its price point, which helps out that it’s solidly constructed and feels premium. I’d argue it looks better than both the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 among current flagships.
This is due to how the Pixel 10 is made out of spacecraft-grade aluminum with a satin finish that does well to repel smudges and fingerprints. Additionally, it helps out that Google's phone is supported by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back. All of this continues to allow the Pixel 10 to retain an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
Google Pixel 10 hands-on review: Display
There’s a 6.3-inch Actua display that stretches nearly to the edge of the Pixel 10, with a crisp resolution that makes it plenty detailed for reading out articles on a web page or soaking up a movie trailer. Although this model shares the same 6.3-inch size as the pricier Pixel 10 Pro, it’s different due to the Pixel 10's 60-120 Hz refresh rate and 1080 x 2424 resolution.
I’m not too worried about them because watching the Pixel 10 display in action playing a 4K HDR video asserts to me that the display is top notch quality. Viewing angles are just as good, which doesn’t distort that much. And even though I held onto the Pixel 10 indoors, it seems plenty bright.
Google has the Pixel 10's display rated for a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, but I just hope it can exceed the 1,769 nits that the Pixel 9 reached.
Google Pixel 10 hands-on review: Cameras
Like I said at the outset, the Pixel 10 is getting the biggest camera upgrade in years — aided by its new triple camera system. It’s made up out of a 48MP main shooter, 13MP ultrawide, and new to this year, a 10.8MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom.
The latter is the new kid on the block and effectively gives the Pixel 10 the same utility as the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL. Prior to this, all zooming was handled by the main camera with help from pixel binning techniques to achieve “optical-like performance.” I’m stoked about this addition because it gives the Pixel 10 the same capability as other flagship models, while also setting the bar for its main rivals.
Prior to this, only Samsung’s baseline Galaxy phone offered a dedicated zoom camera — but the Galaxy S25 is capped with a 3x optical zoom. With the Pixel 10, not only does it allow you to get closer with its 5x optical zoom, but I’m impressed by how it gets the same camera AI features as the other new Pixels. And believe me, it’ll make you way better at capturing photos and videos. Here’s what you can expect:
- Camera Coach: The rumors turned out true with this one, as Camera Coach brings Gemini into the mix by providing real time guidance on how to best take a photo. It does this by analyzing the scene, which it then provides options on what it thinks would make the best shot — with instructions then shown on screen. I’m not too convinced by this one just yet, but that can change the more I try it out.
- Auto Best Take: This one’s an evolution because instead of having to take several photos to make sure there are enough options for Best Take to swap faces in your photos, this updated feature uses AI to analyze faces and generates them with only a single shot. Just as its name implies, it’s all automatic. Shoot once and if there’s a face that you want to change, you can do it.
- Edit with Ask Photos: Out of all the AI-editing tools in the Pixel 10’s arsenal, Edit with Ask Photos is without question the biggest game changer for photo editing. That’s because it takes the generative AI capabilities of the existing Reimagine feature, but applies it to everything about editing a photo. Basically, I can make quick or complex photo edits by simply describing them in a text box. I’m so impressed with the results because I was able to swap my collared shirt into a plaid blazer, with realistic-looking results.
Google Pixel 10 hands-on review: Performance
The Tensor G5 powering the Pixel 10 has a lot to prove, given how Google’s chips have underperformed against the competition in past years. This TSMC-made chip is made using a 3-nanometer manufacturing process and reportedly offers 60% better TPU performance and 34% faster CPU performance.
I’ve never been disappointed by any Pixels when it comes to their real-world performance, and while I had only a short time with the Pixel 10, it still delivered the same buttery smooth performance I expect. Opening apps is a breeze, while scrolling across the interface is met with snappy results.
Many of the new AI features are executed in a fairly quick manner, but there are clearly some that take a bit longer — like how it took less than 30 seconds for Ask Photos to make a photo edit for me. But despite this, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of scores it can put up in all of the popular benchmark tests, relative to chips like the Snapdragon 8 Elite that powers the top Android devices.
Google Pixel 10 hands-on review: Battery life and charging
Google upgraded the battery in the Pixel 10 to a 4,970 mAh cell, a slight boost over the 4,700 mAh one in the Pixel 9. Hopefully that should allow the Pixel 10 to last much longer on a single charge, as the Pixel 9 reached 13 hours and 18 minutes on Tom’s Guide battery drain test. Given the boost in power efficiency with the Tensor G5, it should hopefully produce even longer results.
Another delightful upgrade for the Pixel 10 is that its wired charging speed is getting a boost to 30W, which is up from the 25W speed of the Pixel 9. More importantly, though, Google formally introduces Pixelsnap — the company’s answer to MagSafe — and I for one couldn’t be anymore excited. Magnets embedded inside of the Pixel 10 make it Qi2 compatible, and Google offers an assortment of Pixelscap accessories ranging from cases, chargers, and a phone stand.
Google Pixel 10 hands-on review: Software and AI
Google’s Pixel phones have traditionally been the first phones to showcase the latest version of the platform. However, this year’s a bit of a departure as Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 were the first to come preloaded with Android 16.
While the Material 3 Expressive design language of Android 16 is center row and present with the Pixel 10, it’s honestly overshadowed by the ambitious set of AI features that Google introduces here. What’s even better is that the Pixel 10 gets pretty much the same set of features.
But what makes Google’s AI features better than Galaxy AI or Apple Intelligence features is that they’re well thought out, intuitive to use, and serve a purpose.
The fact that Google leans heavily on AI should worry its rivals, mainly because it’s widening the gap. Here’s the Pixel 10 AI features that impresses me the most:
- Magic Cue: I’ve always wanted a phone that could not only know what I’m doing, but also make proactive actions. Magic Cue is the feature I’ve been waiting for because this works behind the scenes to do things that would be time consuming. For example, Magic Cue will automatically pull up your flight details on the Pixel 10 if you’re calling your airline. It takes the smart indexing of Pixel Screenshots, but Magic Cue proactively provides useful information or actions based on the context.
- Voice Translate: I got to demo Voice Translate and it makes Apple and Samsung’s versions of live phone call translations seem dated. Not only does Voice Translate make conversing with someone speaking in another language easier, but it does by basically using my voice. Think of it like the universal translator device in the Star Trek series. I was on a phone call with another person speaking German, so their voice would be translated into English on my end — while my responses would be translated into German with my voice.
- Take a Message: I’ve already put the Pixel’s Call Screen feature to the test against Apple’s version, but the Pixel 10 is adding on to the experience with a feature called Take a Message. When you miss or decline a call, it will create a suggestion based on the context of the missed call message.
These are just some of the new AI features I’ve got to try out during my Pixel 10 hands-on time, but there are still a number of other features to explore — like Pixel Journal, Writing Tools in Gboard, and updates to Pixel Studio. And since it’s a Pixel, you’re guaranteed seven years of major software and security updates.
Google Pixel 10 hands-on review: Outlook
There’s a lot I already love about the Pixel 10, even from my short time checking out the hardware and all of its new features. I’m stoked that the price stays at $799, while the phone gains a telephoto camera, larger battery, and access to nearly the same set of AI features coming to the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL.
Everything about the Pixel 10 appears to be a massive upgrade over the Pixel 9, so the only thing on my mind is what value does it offer over its siblings. On paper, I can clearly tell there are more differences than similarities with the hardware — like how the Pros have better camera sensors.
On the flip side, I think the Pixel 10 serves as a warning to all other phones in this price point. They cannot afford to come up short, but Google raises the bar for what I expect from a $799-priced phone.
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