It is laborious to consider there have been 10 generations of Pixel telephones, however right here we’re. The Google Pixel 10 sequence has lastly launched, and so they’re probably the most AI-forward telephones we have seen.
The journey of telephones (not counting the Pixel 10 Professional Fold) might be seen as refined variations of the Pixel 9 sequence, however in the easiest way doable. Positive, some specs have gone unchanged, and one or two have even been downgraded, however there’s a swathe of enhancements that make the Pixel 10 sequence an attractive providing.
So, do you have to purchase a Google Pixel 10? Proper now, there are many Pixel 10 preorder affords that will not final very lengthy, particularly as soon as the telephones hit retailer cabinets on August 28. Listed here are some the explanation why it’s best to and should not purchase the Pixel 10, and who ought to or should not take into account one.
Why you can purchase a Pixel 10
There was loads to love concerning the Pixel 9 sequence, however the Pixel 10 takes issues up a notch. Design-wise, it is practically an identical, albeit with some slight variations in dimension and thickness. Sure, in a time when firms try to push the boundaries of thinness, the Pixel 10 and 10 Professional are barely thicker, however for good purpose.
Every mannequin comes with bigger batteries, however Google can be the primary Android OEM to launch a flagship smartphone with built-in Qi2 magnets. Beforehand, the one Android cellphone with this characteristic was the HMD Skyline from 2024, so we’re happy that it is lastly coming round to extra mainstream telephones with Pixelsnap.
Qi2 could not appear to be an enormous deal, however it’s. It provides a ton of comfort to wi-fi charging, guaranteeing that the alignment is all the time right. Plus, different MagSafe equipment like PopSockets, cellphone stands, and wallets make the telephones extra versatile with out the necessity for a case, like on the Galaxy S25 sequence.
Then there’s the brand new Tensor G5, which is made by TSMC. It is a swap from the earlier Samsung-made chips, and it is mentioned to carry some spectacular efficiency and effectivity beneficial properties. Past that, the Tensor G5 permits tons of recent AI capabilities for the Pixel 10 sequence, turning these telephones into really AI-first smartphones.
As an example, Magic Cue is a characteristic that presents useful and contextual info once you most want it, saving you from having to dig for it. Voice Translation for calls can be a useful characteristic that helps break down language limitations by translating your voice in real-time into considered one of a number of languages. One of the best half is that these options are processed on-device.
The brand new Tensor chip additionally brings welcome digital camera enhancements and capabilities. I wasn’t too impressed with the bottom Pixel 9 photographs, so I am excited to check this out for myself on the bottom Pixel 10, however options like Auto Finest Take and Digicam Coach assist make it simpler than ever to seize higher photographs, even if you happen to’re not precisely the most effective photographer.
And did I point out the bottom Pixel 10 now has a triple digital camera system with a 5x telephoto lens? For a similar worth as final yr’s mannequin, the Pixel 10 is now practically on par with its Professional siblings.
Why you should not purchase a Pixel 10
The Pixel 10 sequence sounds spectacular on paper, however no cellphone is ideal. We have solely had a brief hands-on, however with the Pixel 10 sequence, we have already got some reservations based mostly on our restricted expertise.
Firstly, Tensor G5 could also be an improve from its predecessor, however it doubtless nonetheless pales compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite present in competing telephones. That is not even counting the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 (or no matter it is referred to as), so if you happen to’re in search of an absolute powerhouse, the Pixel 10 doubtless is not the cellphone you need for 2026.
We’re glad that Google has lastly improved the show for any PWM-sensitive customers. Nonetheless, in our restricted testing of this new accessibility characteristic, the Pixel 10 Professional solely doubles its PWM fee to 480Hz, which is nicely under the really useful fee.
Moreover, the bottom Pixel 10 does not have this characteristic, so that you’d must spend more cash to guard your eyes.
There’s additionally the matter of eSIM. The Pixel 10 (minus the Fold) follows Apple‘s instance by eradicating the bodily SIM card slot, that means swapping telephones will probably be safer, however it will not be as straightforward. We have struggled with eSIM up to now, and despite the fact that the expertise is not new, it feels just like the programs in place simply aren’t absolutely geared up to make the method seamless, particularly as a result of it shifts the management to the carriers and OEMs.
Fortuitously, it is solely U.S. fashions which can be eSIM-only, however if you happen to do not wanna take care of the potential headache it may carry, then the Pixel 10 won’t be for you.
Who ought to and should not purchase the Pixel 10
Given the similarities between the Pixel 10 and its predecessor, I would not actually suggest these telephones for anybody with a Pixel 9. For those who actually care about Qi2 or among the new AI options enabled by Tensor G5, then maybe there’s purpose to improve or to purchase a Pixel 10 over a Pixel 9.
Nonetheless, if you happen to personal an older Pixel cellphone, the Pixel 10 is a extra worthwhile improve. In any other case, you possibly can forgo among the newer AI options and purchase an older mannequin to avoid wasting cash. In spite of everything, the Pixel 8 nonetheless has one other 5 years of software program updates to go.
Issues get slightly extra muddy once you’re evaluating the Pixel 10 sequence to different telephones just like the Galaxy S25 sequence, that are identified to prioritize energy and efficiency. If that is what you are in search of, then a Snapdragon-powered cellphone could also be extra your pace.
The Pixel 10 sequence is positioned as AI-first telephones that need to make the whole lot straightforward and accessible. If that appeals to you, then the Pixel 10 is for you. The subsequent step is to determine which Pixel 10 mannequin you can purchase.
