Google has sabotaged the success of the Pixel 10 | Tech News

Every time I set up a new Android cellphone to review, one of the first issues I do is change the stage of keyboard vibration suggestions. It’s a small factor (OK, a nerdy factor) and doubtless not what most people do first, however I prefer to fantastic tune the haptic ranges to my tastes. It’s consideration to element you’ll be able to often solely get with Android versus an iPhone.

But on the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, you’ll be able to’t regulate the vibration stage – it’s both on or off, identical to on an iPhone. I additionally discovered you’ll be able to’t set double faucet to lock, a common Android characteristic the place you double faucet wherever on the home screen to lock your cellphone. I’ve used it for years on different telephones.

These selections by Google to take away customisation in sure areas epitomises the Pixel expertise in 2025. The firm chooses to not add features rivals offer, regardless of being the proprietor and maker of Android, in favour of iPhone-like simplicity and polish, alongside a boatload of Google AI instruments.

If you do change, you’ll additionally be capable of use all of your MagSafe chargers and equipment. Google has built-in its own model of the magnetic customary into all Pixel 10 fashions, and named it Pixelsnap. It’s one other step in the direction of characteristic parity between iPhones and Pixels. Likewise the lack of a dual-SIM slot. I might go on.

I’ve been testing the Pixel 10 Pro XL for ten days, and although I believe it’s an wonderful system with one of the best screens on a cellphone alongside very achieved cameras, I can’t advocate it wholeheartedly – particularly because it prices £1,199. When the Pixel 10 prices £799 and the excellent Pixel 9a simply £499 with many of the identical core options and software program, it makes the 10 Pro XL a a lot tougher sell in context.

But in the event you’re fed up with getting the best iPhone each few years, that is the high-end Android cellphone to modify to for the smoothest transition because of easy, clean software program and premium {hardware}.

You could be higher off shopping for the common Pixel 10, which has triple cameras for the first time on a ‘regular’ Pixel and doesn’t lack something important you’ll discover on the 10 Pro XL.

There can be a Pixel 10 Pro with a smaller screen, which I’ve not been testing. That £999 cellphone saves you £200 on the 10 Pro XL at the expense of screen dimension, battery life, and slower charging speeds. Either means, no Pixel 10 fashions have a charger in the box.

For the first time in its ten iterations, the Pixel has not likely modified visually from its predecessor. This has resulted in a very effectively made cellphone with steel sides and a frosted glass back, and a triple digicam module that spans the back. I discovered the 232g handset too heavy although, as this actually is a weighty and cumbersome system because of the supplies and huge 6.8-inch OLED screen.

But that screen is fingers down one of the best I’ve seen on any cellphone. It’s extremely sharp and vivid, and a pleasure to make use of in any lighting. It’s a little too good, and I discovered myself mindlessly scrolling more than regular as a result of it’s so good to stare at. Even although it is sturdy because of Gorilla Glass Victus 2, you’ll nonetheless in all probability need a case.

I examined Google’s official Pixelsnap Case (£49.99) which has good clickly buttons, all-over cowl and a rubbery really feel. But two third-party choices may go well with you higher, each of that are made in collaboration with Google.

The Mous Lightweight Phone Case (£34.99) is pleasingly skinny with a clean however grippy end that leaves button cutouts and slips simply out and in of pockets. It’s the best alternative for the least bulk. Bellroy’s Leather Pixel Case (£55) is a actual deal with although, with full grain leather-based, steel buttons and a alternative of enjoyable colors. Both these choices have Pixelsnap and are great alternate options to Google’s own circumstances.

The cellphone is powered by Google’s own Tensor G5 chip which is completely great and snappy for my wants, however will not be as highly effective as the Appel and Qualcomm chips in the iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S25. The Pixel will not be a cellphone for eager cellular players, because it heats up and may’t keep up the place rivals simply can. Tensor is constructed for AI. Lots of it.

The hefty £1,199 price is partly as a result of Google has ditched the 128GB model option, so the least expensive 10 Pro XL prices this a lot with 256GB. What Google has not ditched is the digicam high quality Pixels are recognized for, and this 12 months you need to buy the 10 Pro or 10 Pro XL to get the best lenses. That’s as a result of the common Pixel 10, regardless of gaining a telephoto lens, really has the important and ultrawide lenses from the mid-range Pixel 9a, fairly than the superlative 50MP important, 48MP ultrawide and 48MP 5x optical telephoto on the Pros.

And what a digicam. Though I’m cautious of simply how a lot AI processing Google is slathering onto photos, I’ve been impressed with the constant high quality of stills from the 10 Pro XL. The important and telephoto particularly are a dream to shoot with, even when photos are sometimes very processed – you might not love the extremely sharpened look:

Exclusive to the Pixel 10 Pro this 12 months is Google’s Pro Res Zoom, which is deceptive branding. You can zoom between 30x and 100x, and the cellphone will naturally provide you with a blurry image. But then Pro Res Zoom kicks in and makes use of AI to offer you a sharper image, however that is solely what the AI thinks the scene ought to appear like. It’s not image information that truly existed, even when the under instance appears to have labored very effectively:

The AI flaws are far more obvious when textual content is concerned, with the system showing to make up a language in the under instance:

It’s a cynical characteristic to incorporate on a cellphone, as Honor has achieved earlier than. Phones have dangerous zoom lenses on them. Companies shouldn’t be utilizing AI to make up image information to compile a faux image.

It made me really feel a little animosity in the direction of a cellphone that in any other case makes use of AI fairly tastefully. Despite stuffing the Pixel 10 Pro XL to the gills with AI options, they’re pleasingly straightforward to disregard in the event you don’t wish to use them. Google’s software program doesn’t shove the choices in your face as a lot as Samsung does.

New for Pixel 10 is Magic Cue. It’s billed as a sensible assistant that may floor data if you need it in your screen, for instance if a buddy texts to ask which restaurant you’ll on Sunday, your cellphone can scan your Google Calendar app in the background and recommend the calendar marker as the data to ship.

It additionally claims to pop up with data on a cellphone call if somebody asks you when your flight is touchdown, with flight data from Gmail. All of that is stated to work on-device with out a information connection.

In testing, I couldn’t get Magic Cue to work. It didn’t as soon as even recommend something. I’ve solely seen it efficiently demoed by Google. It’s additionally solely designed to work in Google apps, so that you’ll need to make use of Google Messages, Calendar and Gmail to have an y combating probability of it working. Don’t buy this cellphone on the promise of Magic Cue.

Better makes use of of AI will be present in the digicam app, together with longstanding instruments corresponding to Magic Eraser to take away people and objects from photographs (again, controversially), in addition to Camera Coach, AI that claims it’ll make you a higher photographer. It makes fantastic ideas for framing and zooming, usually figuring out what you’re taking pictures, nevertheless it received’t flip you into the subsequent Annie Leibovitz.

Pixel followers will probably be happy to see Call Screen and Hold For Me nonetheless right here and dealing effectively, which might reply requires you and show what the caller is saying on screen, or maintain your call to a customer support quantity or related so you do not have to take a seat on the line. There’s even a spookily good new stay translation instrument that works in the event you’re speaking to somebody on the cellphone in one other language. It stay interprets each methods, and even mimics your voice tone. It’s tough round the edges, however spectacular. If terrifying.

AI apart, battery life is excellent, however not industry-best. Using the cellphone out and about on a 15 hour day for personal and work use, it hit 22 % by the time I hit the pillow. It’ll final you all day, nevertheless it’s not a two day cellphone.

You’ll need to buy a charger as there isn’t one in the box, however the 10 Pro XL can attain 45W speeds wired and 25W wirelessly because of Pixelsnap and the Qi 2.2 customary – the 10 Pro XL really has quicker wi-fi charging than the 10 or 10 Pro. Oddly, Google has ditched reverse wi-fi charging, so you’ll be able to’t charge equipment or different telephones wirelessly utilizing the cellphone.

Android 16 is the software program the Pixel ships with and it’s a beautiful model. Clean and customisable, it’s a a lot much less cluttered different to Samsung’s One UI or Honor’s MagicOS that I want. Google provides seven years of help, so the cellphone will get updates till 2032.

I’ve all the time appreciated utilizing Pixel telephones and have loved the Pixel 10 Pro XL immensely, if not partly as a result of I selected to disregard a lot of its AI options. The sheer high quality of the construct, screen, cameras, battery and software program is enough for me. Where this cellphone falls down is with AI instruments that don’t work, the truth it’s very large and heavy, and its high price. If you need most of what it provides, the less expensive Pixel 10 and even Pixel 9a are higher worth for money. But if you’d like the best Pixel money can buy, the 10 Pro XL is it.