Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: Still Reliable, But Surrounded by Heavyweights

Google’s latest flagship arrives in India with more at stake than ever. After years of half-hearted launches and patchy after-sales support, the company finally established its own e-store earlier this year and has been busy expanding its service network. That’s not just housekeeping, it’s Google signaling that it wants to compete seriously in a market where Samsung and Apple dominate the premium tier.

The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL are Google’s 2025 answer to that challenge. Of the three, the Pixel 10 Pro is the model designed to go toe-to-toe with the Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro, and Google is betting on more than just hardware to make its case.

This time, the pitch is AI first. With new tools like Magic Cue, Pixel Studio, and Voice Translate, Google wants the Pixel 10 Pro to stand out not just for its cameras or display, but for a smarter, more intuitive experience. The question is whether these AI features truly change the way you use your phone or if they’re just another round of clever marketing. Here’ my thought about the phone in this Pixel 10 Pro full review:

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Google Pixel 10 Pro Specifications

• Display:
  • 6.3-inch LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz adaptive refresh
  • 2,000 nits peak brightness (HDR)
  • 1,440p resolution (QHD+)
  • Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection
  • 2,160Hz PWM dimming
• Processor:
  • Google Tensor G5 (TSMC 4nm)
  • PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU (no ray tracing)
• RAM & Storage:
  • 12 GB LPDDR5X RAM
  • Storage: 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB (UFS 4.0 on 512GB+ with Zone Storage)
  • India: only 256 GB variant officially available
• Cameras:
  • Main: 50 MP Octa PD wide, f/1.68, OIS, 1/1.31″ sensor, 2.5µm pixels (with Super Res Zoom up to 30x)
  • Telephoto: 48 MP 5x zoom, f/2.8, OIS
  • Ultrawide: 48 MP, f/1.95, 125.5° FoV
  • Front: 10.5 MP, f/2.2 ultrawide, 4K30 video
• Video Recording:
  • Up to 4K60 HDR (all lenses)
  • Pro controls + AI-based enhancements
• Speakers:
  • Dual stereo speakers
  • Spatial Audio support
• Battery & Charging:
  • 4,870 mAh capacity
  • Wired: up to 30W (55% in 30 min, test-capped at 25W)
  • Wireless: 15W Qi2 magnetic (Pixel Snap); 25W wireless charging exclusive to Pro XL
    • Battery Health Assistance (limits capacity after ~200 cycles)
• Connectivity:
  • 5G (mmWave + Sub-6, region-dependent)
  • Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
  • UWB, NFC, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
• Security:
  • In-display optical fingerprint reader
  • Face unlock (2D, software-assisted)
  • Titan M2 security chip
• Build:
  • Polished aluminum frame
  • Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front & back
  • IP68 water and dust resistance
• Dimensions & Weight:
  • 162.6 × 76.5 × 8.8 mm
  • 210g
• Software:
  • Android 15 with Pixel-exclusive AI features
  • 7 years OS & security updates
• Colors:
  • Obsidian, Porcelain, Moonstone, Jade

Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: Unboxing

Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: Design and Build

At first glance, the Pixel 10 Pro looks almost unchanged from the Pixel 9 Pro. The camera bar is still there, Google’s unmistakable design signature, but it’s a little thicker, with a larger glass visor embedded into the aluminum frame. The changes are subtle, but in hand, the refinements make a world of difference.

This time, Google has nailed the ergonomics. At 207 grams and with an 8.5 mm waistline, the Pixel 10 Pro feels balanced, compact enough for one-handed use, and simply more comfortable than most other flagships. I can comfortably say that the Pixel 10 Pro has one of the best in-hand feels among all Android phones in 2025.

Google has also nailed the button placement this year. All the buttons sit on the right edge, delivering a tactile, clicky feel. Meanwhile, there’s one change that People who like to buy their phones overseas should note that in the U.S., Pixel 10 Pro units ship without a physical SIM tray, but in Indian retail units features the physical SIM tray moves to the top edge.

Google has also closed the gap on build quality. The Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back give it durability, while the aluminum frame feels solid and refined. True, it doesn’t boast titanium like the iPhone 16 Pro or Galaxy S25 Ultra, but the Pixel 10 Pro doesn’t need to. It feels less slippery than curved-glass rivals, and its understated confidence finally matches the flagship label.

Google also deserves credit for its color palette. Moonstone offers a soft, matte silver alternative to the flashy finishes from Samsung. Porcelain feels refined, Jade injects playful character, and Obsidian provides a classic, no-nonsense option. None of them is loud, but they each give the Pixel 10 Pro personality something many rivals lack.All Pixel 10 models are IP68 dust and water-resistant, able to withstand 1.5m submersion for 30 minutes.

Overall, the Pixel 10 Pro may look familiar, but it finally feels complete. The camera bar remains a bold statement, the ergonomics make it one of the most comfortable Android phones to hold, and the matte finish adds polish where the Pixel 9 Pro fell short. It doesn’t try to outmuscle rivals with titanium or oversized frames. Instead, it finds luxury in comfort, practicality, and quiet confidence and that might be the smartest design choice of all.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: Display

The Pixel 10 Pro’s 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED doesn’t just look good; it finally feels like Google picked up a panel that is right up there with Samsung and Apple displays. The Pixel 10 Pro panel can hit a peak of 3,300 nits for HDR and 2,200 nits in High Brightness Mode, which is higher than the iPhone 16 Pro. This means you can confidently use it outdoors without squinting. The Pixel 9 Pro always felt a bit dim next to Samsung’s flagships; the 10 Pro fixes that. Having said that, Samsung’s S25 Ultra remains the master of outdoor usability, with vivo and OPPO flagships also packing the right punch.

By default, the resolution is set to 1080×2410, which can be changed to the maximum resolution from the settings that will take it to 2856 x 1280 pixels. It’s a sharp display with 495 ppi, and Google’s LTPO tuning for the variable 1–120Hz refresh rate, making it a “Smooth Display” as good as it gets. Where other LTPO panels can feel jittery when ramping down to 1Hz, the Pixel just works buttery when you scroll, efficient when you don’t. HDR10+ content looks fantastic, with vibrant colors. Skin tones in particular look natural, which is a good thing. Those who prefer punchy colors can opt for the “Adaptive” color profile from the settings.

It’s genuinely less reflective in sunlight, which even Google’s brighter panel can’t quite overcome. But in HDR, the Pixel arguably looks better; its skin tones and overall balance feel less cranked up than Samsung’s default tuning.

A surprising thing that Google has done this year is that they have doubled the phone’s PWM dimming frequency to 480Hz, making the screen noticeably less harsh for people sensitive to OLED flicker. Less eye-strain than the Pixel 9 Pro is noticeable on my eyes, and it makes it easier for long reading or scrolling sessions.

However, if you compare it with the vivo X200 Pro and OPPO Find X8 Pro, they are still miles ahead with ultra-high 2160Hz PWM, which eliminates flicker concerns for sensitive users. Apple doesn’t publish PWM rates for the iPhone 16 Pro; it is also reportedly around 480Hz frequency.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: Speakers and Haptics

The Pixel 10 Pro’s stereo speakers are among the better ones you’ll find in 2025. They’re loud and punchy, easily filling a room without the tinny edge that plagues most phones. Play a podcast on the train or crank up a YouTube video in a noisy kitchen, the Pixel cuts through better than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which sounds flatter by comparison. And the speaker grilles match the aluminum frame, a small but satisfying design detail.

But it’s the haptics that really elevate the experience. The vibration motor on the Pixel 10 Pro will leave you impressed. Type a quick message and every keystroke feels crisp; swipe through the multitasking carousel and the vibration subtly shifts in intensity as you move between apps. Even simple animations feel snappier because the feedback is so well-tuned.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: Software

The Pixel 10 Pro runs Android 16 QPR1 out of the box, and Google promises seven years of OS upgrades with feature drops and security updates. That means your Pixel 10 Pro will remain relevant until at least 2032, just a year shy of Samsung’s new eight-year pledge for the Galaxy S line. Longevity matters, but what you get day one is even more important. And with the Pixel 10 Pro, Google is all-in on AI.

Pixel software is still the antidote to Samsung’s One UI. Where Samsung feels packed, the Pixel feels light and intentional. The latest Material 3 Expressive design makes Android look fresh, slick, and bold, with bubbly animations that actually feel good in the hand thanks to Google’s haptic tuning. Even the Quick Settings panel gets more customization, while the lockscreen can double as a Google Home hub, photo frame, or weather board when docked.

There are still quirks: the stock Pixel Launcher still doesn’t support custom icon packs, something even midrange Android phones can manage.

With the Pixel 10 series, Google’s AI experiments take center stage, and I found both moments of brilliance and frustrating gaps across all the AI features. Let’s start with Magic Cue, which pulls context from Gmail, Calendar, and Messages to surface the right info at the right time. At the time of publishing this review, Magic Cue didn’t work as smoothly as it was being advertised. I believe it will improve with time as it learns my usage pattern.

Gemini Live is not new, but it is still worth mentioning here. It gives you real-time suggestions when you point your camera at objects. It did a decent job identifying a Haldiram’s snack packet in a grocery store, pulling up nutrition info. Conversational Editing in Google Photos could feel closer to magic. Google says one can give a literal voice command, and AI will make the edits in the photo. Again, at the time of writing this review, the Google Photos app lacked the functionality to input voice prompts or manual text prompts.

Pixel Journal provides a reflective journaling experience with AI-generated prompts and suggested photos, and it functions as advertised.

Voice Translate is one of the more practical tools. On a call with a cab driver in Chennai, it instantly translated my Hindi into Tamil and even kept my voice tone. The Daily Hub, meanwhile, is less convincing. On some days, it usefully reminded me of an upcoming meeting in Gurgaon. On others, it threw up a YouTube suggestion about cricket highlights I’d already watched.

Google offers a wider range of AI features compared to Apple’s Apple Intelligence, which is primarily focused on writing tools, call screening, and a few creative functions. While Apple’s AI features are available for free for an indefinite period, Google requires payment after a year for its bundled AI Pro subscription.

In contrast, Samsung offers similar features within its One UI, along with the unique S Pen ecosystem, which AI cannot replicate.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: Biometrics

The Pixel 10 Pro prioritizes security with an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner and face unlock, both secured by the Titan M2 chip.

The fingerprint scanner is excellent. It is fast, accurate, and smooth. Unlike optical scanners, the ultrasonic scanner creates a 3D model of your fingerprint, which means it still works if your thumb is a little damp or greasy. Day-to-day, it feels reliable and consistent.

Face Unlock is handled by the front camera plus Titan M2 security, which is what makes it special. Because of that extra hardware integration, you can actually use facial recognition to log in to banking apps and payment services, something most Android phones, including Samsung’s, still can’t do. It’s generally reliable, even in dim lighting, though not quite as fast as the fingerprint sensor.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: Performance

At the heart of the Pixel 10 Pro is the new Tensor G5, the first Google chip built by TSMC on a 3nm process. It is paired with a PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU from Imagination Technologies, a major shift away from the ARM Mali graphics cores used in previous Pixels.

Google isn’t chasing raw benchmark numbers here; the focus is squarely on AI. The TPU is 60% faster, the CPU 34% quicker, and the ISP tuned for Pixel’s signature camera tricks. On paper, it looks modest compared to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite or Apple’s A18 Pro, but in practice, the Pixel feels snappy and responsive. Swiping around Android 16 is smooth, animations are fluid, and the multitasking experience has been decent.

The Pixel 10 Pro finally ships with 256GB, UFS 4.0 storage, and up to 16GB of RAM. Oddly, RAM management is weaker than Samsung’s: in side-by-sides, the S25 Ultra with 12GB RAM held more apps in memory than the Pixel’s 16GB. The Pixel 10 Pro still doesn’t support the latest Vulkan graphics API, even though Android 16 makes it the default. Google promises an update, but for now, it feels ironic and incomplete.

Benchmarks tell a different story. The Pixel 10 Pro XL’s Geekbench scores 2311 on single-core and 5922 on multi-core which lag well behind the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Elite and the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro, which both score significantly higher. In 3DMark, too, Samsung and Apple pull far ahead.

In day-to-day use, the phone is snappy and fluid, and casual gaming is no problem. Apps open quickly, scrolling is smooth, and multitasking feels effortless. System apps in particular launch quickly, while third-party apps perform reliably as well. In head-to-head speed tests, however, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite consistently edges out the Pixel, often loading apps a fraction of a second faster. The iPhone 16 Pro with its A18 Pro chip also pulls ahead in raw speed and efficiency, showing the gulf between Google’s silicon strategy and its rivals.

Gaming is the weak spot. The Pixel 10 Pro doesn’t support ray tracing. For casual gaming, the Pixel 10 Pro is perfectly capable. Titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, Diablo Immortal, and Honkai: Star Rail run without issue.

It’s only when you push into graphically intense territory. Genshin Impact frame rates sometimes dip into the mid-50s or even 40s during demanding sequences, though interestingly.

Where Google makes up ground is thermal stability. Previous Tensor chips suffered from overheating and throttling; the Tensor G5 in the Pro models features a larger vapor chamber, providing adequate cooling headroom.

Extended gaming sessions still trigger a performance drop, but only about 15–20% compared to nearly 50% to 60% slowdowns in last-generation Pixels. Over time, this means the Pixel can feel more consistent, even if it isn’t the absolute fastest.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: Cameras

For years, Google’s Pixel lineup has enjoyed an almost mythic status among camera phones, thanks to computational photography that squeezed magic out of relatively modest hardware. But in the last few years, the competition has caught up. vivo, OPPO, Samsung, and Apple are all playing at the same level or higher. The Pixel still delivers reliably.

On paper, the Pixel 10 Pro has a decent hardware setup.. The headline remains a 50-megapixel wide camera (f/1.7, 25mm, 1/1.31-inch sensor with 1.2µm pixels) backed by OIS and dual-pixel PDAF. Google claims to have upgraded optical stabilisation, making handheld shots sharper and low-light captures steadier.

The supporting cast is equally premium: a 48-megapixel ultrawide (f/1.7, 123° FoV), and a 48-megapixel periscope telephoto (f/2.8, 113mm) capable of 5x optical zoom. Both use 1/2.55-inch sensors with 0.7µm pixels, and both benefit from OIS and dual-pixel autofocus. Around the front, Google includes a 42-megapixel selfie camera with a 17mm field of view, a spec that Apple and Samsung have yet to adopt.

Google’s custom ISP and NPU squeeze more out of this largely unchanged hardware, from cleaner low-light images to sharper edge detection in portraits. Before diving into image quality, let’s explore the new AI features of the Pixel 10 Pro. Here’s a rundown:

AI-Assisted Features

• Camera Coach: A scene-analyzing tutor that suggests better framing and guides you step-by-step. Excellent for beginners, though too slow for action shots.
• Auto Best Take: Group photos now highlight the best faces automatically, no manual scrolling required.
• Conversational Editing: Ask Gemini in Google Photos to “remove glare” or “make my pet stand out,” and it does.

All images also carry C2PA metadata, flagging whether AI edits were involved, a welcome move for authenticity in an AI-driven era.

Main Camera

The 50-megapixel wide camera continues to deliver photos with a classic pixel vibe. In daylight, the results are characteristically Pixel: high dynamic range, punchy contrast, and true-to-life colors. Indian street scenes say, a local market at noon, are rendered with rich detail in both shadows and highlights without looking artificial.

Google’s HDR processing has improved, too. High-contrast shots, a sunset behind skyscrapers, hold onto detail in both shadows and highlights.

In low light, Google’s Night Sight still impresses. It delivers clean, bright images without crushing shadows. Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro comes close in exposure balance, but Samsung and OPPO often over-brighten for effect.

But side by side, the difference in priorities becomes obvious. The iPhone 16 Pro, captures slightly warmer photos, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra leans toward punchy colors.

Where the Pixel 10 Pro stumbles is sheer resolution. The 200MP main on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the quad 50MP array on OPPO’s Find X8 Pro capture finer detail when you zoom in. If you’re cropping photos or printing them large, the Pixel lags.

Potraits

This is the year Google fixed portrait mode. Using both the main lens (1.5×) and 5× telephoto, the Pixel 10 Pro delivers portraits tailored for Indian faces. Edge detection has seen a significant improvement this year, with cleaner results for stray hair and dupattas, and sharper-looking jewelry. While vivo’s Zeiss optics still excel in micro-accuracy and bokeh styles, Google’s simulation is soft and DSLR-like, less aggressive than OPPO and more natural than Samsung.

In low light, the Pixel captures bright, clean faces without nuking the background. Samsung often blows highlights, Apple softens details, and even vivo occasionally over-sharpenes. Here, the Pixel feels the most reliable when the lights dim; it doesn’t panic.

Telephoto

Google continues with a 48MP periscope telephoto (f/2.8, 5× optical). Results at 5× are strong, clear, detailed, and very shareable. You can shoot a stage performance from the back row and get sharp, contrast-rich results. But beyond 10×, image quality falls apart faster than on Samsung’s S25 Ultra, which remains the telephoto flexibility champ with multiple dedicated zooms.

Vivo and OPPO both take things further, too. Vivo’s 200MP telephoto produces portraits with insane separation and sharpness, while OPPO’s dual telephoto system (3× and 6×) offers flexibility Google simply doesn’t match. The Pixel’s telephoto is good, not great, and feels conservative compared to what rivals are doing.

Google also added a new ProRes Zoom that uses an AI diffusion model to create results in daylight on predictable subjects like architecture, but struggles with text and faces, often adding grain or a cartoon filter. It’s clever, but not a replacement for true optical zoom.

Ultrawide:

The 48MP ultrawide (f/1.7, 123° FOV) is one of the best Google has shipped. Dynamic range is wide, distortion is minimal, and unlike last year, low-light ultrawides are finally usable.

Videos

While stills remain Pixel’s strength, video tells a different story. Video Boost can work wonders in low light, but because it processes in the cloud, turnaround can take hours, hardly ideal if you’re editing reels after a concert. On-device stabilization has improved, but there’s still a slight “judder” when panning quickly, a problem Samsung and Apple manage far better. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offers richer HDR video at 4K/60, steadier ultrawide and telephoto clips, and faster processing. iPhone 16 Pro Max is even further ahead in low-light video. Apple’s footage simply looks cleaner and sharper.

The Pixel 10 Pro isn’t the best camera phone in the world anymore. Vivo’s X200 Pro holds the portrait crown, Samsung’s S25 Ultra offers unmatched zoom flexibility, Apple nails detail and daylight sharpness, and OPPO brings versatility with stylized flair.

But Google still makes one of the most balanced and reliable shooters in the mix, especially for Indian users who value true skin tones and consistency over flashy extremes.

Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: Battery Life and Charging

The Pixel 10 Pro features a 4,870 mAh battery, a modest increase from last year’s 4,700 mAh. On paper, that should have meant longer endurance, but in practice, the story is more complicated.

On light days, when I spend only a few hours on social media, take a few photos, and do some messaging, the phone comfortably makes it to bedtime with around 50 percent battery left. Push it harder with video calls, navigation, or hotspot tethering, and it dips below 20 percent bt the time I get back home. In other words, it’s fine, but not stellar.

As for charging, Google still caps the Pixel 10 Pro at 30W wired charging. It took us about half an hour to do a 55 percent charge, which feels slow compared to the 100W+ speeds on flagships from OPPO or Xiaomi. Wireless charging has improved thanks to the new 15W Qi2 magnetic standard (Pixel Snap), but if you want the faster 25W wireless speeds, you’ll need to buy the larger Pro XL model.

Google has also introduced Battery Health Assistance, a feature that slows charging and limits capacity after 200 full cycles to extend long-term battery life.