TECH REVIEW – Google’s latest and most affordable flagship is no longer stuck in the shadow of its pricier Pro siblings. The Pixel 10 arrives with more cameras, a significantly faster chip, smarter software, and AI features that actually make a difference. It’s the first time an “entry-level” Pixel feels like a deliberate, confident choice rather than a compromise — a phone that proves premium doesn’t have to mean overpriced.

At first glance, the Pixel 10 doesn’t look radically different from last year’s Pixel 9 — aside from some fresh, bolder colors and the addition of a third rear camera. Its satin-finished aluminum and glass chassis gives it a genuinely premium feel, and the overall design stands out in a sea of dull, rectangular slabs. The 6.3-inch OLED display is tack-sharp, brilliantly bright, and delightfully smooth thanks to a 120Hz refresh rate — whether you’re scrolling through social media, gaming, or binge-watching shows.

Responsiveness is further enhanced by an under-display fingerprint sensor that reacts almost instantly, making daily use seamless and intuitive. Hidden beneath the glass, there’s another significant upgrade: Qi2 wireless charging and full support for magnetic accessories. That means the Pixel 10 can now go toe-to-toe with Apple’s MagSafe ecosystem. Google is releasing its own “Pixelsnap” add-ons, but thanks to the open Qi2 standard, nearly all MagSafe-compatible chargers, wallets, stands, and grips will snap right on and work flawlessly.

Key specs:

• Display: 6.3″ 120Hz FHD+ OLED (422ppi)
• Processor: Google Tensor G5
• RAM: 12GB
• Storage: 128GB or 256GB
• OS: Android 16
• Cameras: 48MP main + 13MP ultrawide + 10.8MP 5x telephoto; 10.5MP front
• Connectivity: 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 6E, NFC, Bluetooth 6, GNSS
• Water resistance: IP68 (1.5m for 30 min)
• Dimensions: 152.8 × 72 × 8.6mm
• Weight: 204g

The Pixel 10 can fully charge in around 90 minutes with a 30W+ adapter (sold separately) and reaches 50% in just half an hour. It also supports 15W wireless charging. The new Tensor G5 chip is roughly 34–38% faster than the previous generation — a noticeable leap forward, even if it still lags slightly behind Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chips in raw power. In everyday use, though, the Pixel 10 feels lightning-quick and easily handles everything from heavy multitasking to demanding AI-driven tasks.

Battery life is solid if not class-leading: up to two days with light usage, or roughly 33 hours under heavy load — including five hours of 5G connectivity and seven hours of active screen time. The Tensor G5’s improved AI engine is another highlight, enabling complex on-device processing and making the Pixel 10 a showcase for Google’s machine learning prowess.

AI That Works For You – Not Just for Show

The Pixel 10 ships with Android 16 and will receive updates until August 2032. Google’s take on Android remains vibrant, intuitive, and playful, with bold typography, oversized buttons, and subtle haptic feedback throughout. It’s also the perfect playground for Google’s latest AI experiments: Gemini Nano runs directly on the device, powering tools for writing, dictation, and image editing. One of the coolest upgrades is voice translation during phone calls, which mimics the caller’s actual tone instead of relying on a robotic voice, making conversations sound far more natural.

Another standout feature is Magic Cue, a subtle background assistant that quietly anticipates what you might need before you even ask. It pulls data from your Google account and your device to offer real-time suggestions: when you call a courier, for instance, your order details pop up on screen. If someone texts asking when your flight lands, the time is pulled from your calendar and ready to send with a single tap. Even the weather app now suggests destinations based on your upcoming travel plans.

These features might sound minor, but they’re a big step forward in how AI can genuinely save time rather than just impress in demos. Magic Cue currently works with Gmail, Maps, Calendar, Keep, screenshots, Contacts, and Messages, with support for Google Photos and other apps on the way. The one major drawback: it doesn’t yet integrate with third-party apps — so if you’re a WhatsApp user, you’re out of luck for now.

Photography That Makes Anyone Look Like a Pro

The camera app is refreshingly simple yet loaded with options to get the best out of your shots. The Pixel 10 sports a 10.5MP front camera and three rear shooters: a 48MP main sensor, a 13MP ultrawide, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom — finally fixing one of the base model’s biggest shortcomings.

The main and ultrawide cameras deliver excellent results in just about any lighting condition, often outperforming competitors in high-contrast or dim indoor scenes. The new telephoto lens brings distant subjects closer with crisp detail and offers up to 20x digital zoom. Noise is minimal, and overall photo quality is far beyond what’s typical at this price point.

Google still reigns supreme when it comes to “point-and-shoot” simplicity. The new auto Best Take feature captures multiple shots and blends them into one where everyone’s looking at the camera. The improved Add Me mode lets you insert the photographer into group shots — now handling larger groups, more complex scenes, and even pets. The camera also embeds C2PA credentials, so you can see exactly how each image was created and whether AI played a role.

One of the most impressive new features is Camera Coach, which uses Gemini to help you nail your shot composition. Tap a small button in the viewfinder, and the scene is analyzed on Google’s servers before offering composition suggestions. Pick your favorite, and the app walks you through how to adjust your framing to capture the perfect shot. The suggestions are surprisingly accurate, and for anyone looking to improve their photography skills, this is an incredibly useful tool.

Overall, the Pixel 10 produces outstanding photos and videos with AI tools that feel genuinely helpful — even if they sometimes capture moments that never technically happened.

Sustainable, Repairable, and Built to Last

The Pixel 10’s battery is rated for over 1,000 full charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its original capacity. It’s also one of the most repairable Pixels yet: Google provides manuals and parts for DIY repairs, and both the company’s own and third-party repair shops are equipped to handle common fixes.

The phone is made from 32% recycled materials, including aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, plastics, rare earth elements, tungsten, and tin. Google also offers free recycling for your old devices and publishes detailed environmental impact reports for the Pixel lineup.

Verdict: A New Standard for Base Model Phones

The Pixel 10 raises the bar for what a base model flagship can be. It delivers a premium user experience, an outstanding camera system with a proper telephoto lens, and enough performance to satisfy even demanding users. The design hasn’t changed much since last year, but it’s still stylish and distinctive, especially from the back. Performance is snappy, battery life is reliable, and AI features like Magic Cue and auto Best Take genuinely make the phone smarter without ever getting in the way.

It might not match the Pixel 9a’s unbeatable price-to-performance ratio, but the Pixel 10 is easily one of the best phones you can buy right now — and one that feels like it’s finally delivering the flagship experience without the flagship price.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-