The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL are Google’s best flagship phones yet with a more efficient SoC, brighter displays, meaningful camera
Page 1: Pixel 10 Series: Google Tensor G5, 100x Pro Res Zoom, Pixelsnap Magnets, eSIM Only In The USPage 3: Pixel 10 Series Software Experience And Our Review ConclusionGoogle Pixel 10 Series – Starting At $799, Find It On AmazonThe Pixel 10 ($799), Pixel 10 Pro ($999), and Pixel 10 Pro XL ($1199) are Google’s best flagship phones yet. They update last year’s Pixel 9 series with a more efficient processor platform, brighter displays, meaningful camera tweaks, larger batteries, faster charging, and Qi2 magnetic accessory support, though US models lack a SIM tray.Brighter displaysExcellent cameras and zoom performanceMore efficient SoCLarger batteries, faster chargingQi2 with magnetsOutstanding software and AI featuresDowngraded ultrawide and main shooter (Pixel 10)eSIM only in the USNo charger in the box
It’s that time of year again. After weeks of leaks and rumors, Google has finally unveiled its new flagship lineup for 2025, which consists of a trio of standard phones (Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro XL), a book-style folding phone (Pixel 10 Pro Fold), a smartwatch (Pixel Watch 4), and mid-range earbuds (Pixel Buds 2a). A lot is riding on these new Pixel handsets, which are also the physical manifestation for Google’s ambitious AI strategy.
These Pixel phones also continue to pave the way for Google’s SoC independence, with the Tensor G5 dropping Samsung’s Exynos IP, adopting a semi-custom Arm core architecture and built on TSMC’s 3nm manufacturing process. At the same time, with these phones, Google continues to set an example for other Android handset manufacturers by adding Qi2 magnetic accessory support (for the better) while simultaneously removing the SIM tray from US models (for worse).
So let’s dive into Google’s three flagship bar phones – the Pixel 10 ($799), Pixel 10 Pro ($999), and Pixel 10 Pro XL ($1199) – and find out what’s new. What are these handsets like? Are the updates over last year’s Pixel 9 series meaningful? Should you pick one up? Let’s find out in our full review.
Pixel 10 Series Hardware, Design, And Build Quality
We hope you like the Pixel 9 series’ industrial design, because aside from some new colors, the Pixel 10 lineup looks pretty much identical. Dimensions are virtually the same (the Pixel 10 is marginally thicker than the Pixel 9 at 8.6mm vs. 8.5mm) and the new phones are slightly heavier. But there’s a good reason for this: these are the first Android flagships with Qi2 magnetic accessory support – ie. magnets under the rear glass.
Last year’s HMD Skyline was technically the first Android handset to support Qi2 with magnets, better known as MagSafe in Apple-land, and introduced with the iPhone 12 series. Google calls it Pixelsnap and we think it’s a great name. Qi2 with magnets enables wireless charging (up to 25W on the Pixel 10 Pro XL) and gives the Pixel 10 lineup access to Apple’s vast MagSafe ecosystem of accessories. In other words, this is a huge win.
But it also begs the question: what took so long? It’s about time major Android phone manufacturers adopted Qi2 with magnets, and we hope Google starts a trend, and compels Samsung to follow suit. Like the Pixel 9 series, these three Pixel 10 handsets are Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and aluminum sandwiches, and feature the latest, pill-shaped iteration of Google’s iconic camera visor (the horizontal bar housing the rear shooters).
Like before, the Pixel 10 features a satin aluminum frame and shiny glass back, while the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL have a polished aluminum frame and matte rear glass. The Pixel 10 is available in Indigo, Frost, Lemongrass, and Obsidian; the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL come in Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain, and Obsidian. All three Pixel 10 handsets are rated IP68 for dust and water resistance, and feel solid and well put together.
The pill-shaped camera visor is made of aluminum with a satin finish, and matches the color of each Pixel 10 phone. A smaller, pill-shaped black glass window covers the triple rear shooters, and is offset to the left, while the LED flash and temperature sensor (Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL only) are mounted on the right. Overall, we’re big fans of this design, and we’re glad Google carried it over from the Pixel 9 series.
The control and port layout of these three Pixel 10 handsets deviates slightly from the Pixel 9 series.
