Google Pixel 10 Pro review

We’ve tested enough flagship phones to know the spec-sheet arms race has become a bit of theatre. Every year, it’s the same playbook. More RAM, brighter screens, bigger numbers designed to impress on slides, but rarely altering how a phone actually feels in your hand. That’s why we’ve always had a soft spot for Google Pixels. They’ve never chased brute force; instead, they’ve focused on the subtler craft of blending into everyday life.

The Pixel 9 series, however, showed some cracks. While they were thoroughly capable phones with tons of AI smarts, the phones ran warmer than they should, charged at a pace stuck in 2020, and Tensor still lagged behind the efficiency of Apple and Samsung’s silicon.

Fast forward to 2025, where the new Pixel 10 Pro is Google’s chance to prove its ambitions can finally keep pace with its ideas. The question is whether it marks genuine progress or simply polishes a familiar script. Let’s find out in our Google Pixel 10 Pro review.

Google Pixel 10 Pro build and design

Pick it up, and the Pixel 10 Pro announces itself without saying a word. It’s premium in an understated way. No loud logos, no gimmicks, just design that speaks for itself. The pill-shaped camera island remains unapologetically Pixel, but the overall look is sharper and more streamlined, like a classic silhouette reimagined with a modern cut.

The matte-finish glass back on our Jade-coloured review unit looked classy and resisted fingerprints better than we expected. The glossy aluminium frame adds just enough shine without crossing into flashy territory; however, it is a bit of a fingerprint and smudge magnet.

With Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and an IP68 badge stitched into its spec sheet, the Pixel 10 Pro is as sturdy as it is stylish. From a careless coffee spill on our desk to a full-blown Mumbai downpour, it carried itself through everyday chaos like it was born for the city life.

Google Pixel 10 Pro display

The 6.3-inch LTPO OLED Super Actua panel is the Pixel 10 Pro’s crown jewel. At 3,300 nits peak brightness, it remains legible even in harsh sunlight. HDR10+ content glows with cinematic punch, colours stay true-to-life, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes every scroll feel silky smooth.

Side by side with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, the long-standing gold standard for smartphone screens, the Pixel 10 Pro held its ground and, in flashes, even stole the spotlight. Whether we were streaming Netflix in HDR or editing photos outdoors, the display consistently elevated how the content looked, so much so that it looked bland on other screens we viewed the same content on.

Google Pixel 10 Pro performance and software

At the heart of the Pixel 10 Pro is the Tensor G5, Google’s first chip built on TSMC’s 3nm process. On paper, it promises efficiency and stability gains. In practice, it delivered. Day-to-day use felt snappy and smooth. Apps launched instantly, multitasking was seamless, and animations carried that trademark Pixel polish.

But if you’re expecting a performance leap over the Pixel 9 Pro, you may be underwhelmed. The G5 is steadier, but not dramatically faster. Push it hard by going into marathon gaming sessions, extended 4K video shoots, or long hours hopping between camera apps and productivity tools, and the phone warms up faster than an iPhone 16 Pro Max or Galaxy S25 Ultra.

The heat never caused crashes or serious slowdowns, but after an hour of heavy gaming, frame rates dipped just enough to notice. It’s the same story with long stints on the camera; the phone feels warm to the touch, but it still holds its ground.

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Where the Pixel really pulls ahead is software intelligence. Running Android 16, the experience feels clean and expressive. Material 3 Expressive delivers one of the most personalised user interfaces around. And with Google promising seven years of updates, it’s a phone built for the long run, not just for launch week.

The AI layer is where things get really interesting. Magic Cue feels like actual magic, at least, in theory. It can connect dinner reservations mentioned in a text to the booking email, surface a friend’s number right when you need it, and even translate your voice into another language with uncanny accuracy.

But in India, where WhatsApp reigns supreme, some of these tricks lose their sparkle since they hinge on Google Messages. And while Magic Cue feels futuristic when it works, it doesn’t land 100 per cent of the time, but this should likely be smoothed out in future updates.

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Other AI tools are more universally handy. Camera Coach suggests tweaks mid-shot for better results. Gemini Live makes it easy to share your screen or camera in real time. Together, these features make the Pixel feel less like a device you command and more like an assistant that constantly anticipates what you need.

Google Pixel 10 Pro cameras

The Pixel may live and breathe software, but the camera is still one of its showstoppers. A 50MP main sensor, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto with 5x optical and up to 100x Pro Res zoom form the backbone of the Pixel 10 Pro’s camera setup, all powered by Google’s new Image Signal Processor.

Daylight photos have that signature Pixel punch. On a slightly cloudy afternoon, the sky didn’t blow out into a flat grey the way some phones tend to. The Pixel balances the clouds and light perfectly, giving me moody but detailed shots that felt closer to what my eyes saw. Portraits of friends looked crisp, with natural skin tones. Although the edge detection is not the best in the business.

On a quiet street, two kittens posed just long enough for me to snap a few frames. The Pixel 10 Pro locked on instantly, pulling out rich colours and fine fur textures even in the shifting light. The whiskers and edges did test the AI’s limits on edge detection, but the results still felt striking for such a fleeting moment.

Switch to low light, and the images remain impressive, for the most part, though a touch more detail wouldn’t hurt. A bit of noise also begins to creep in when the lighting is less than ideal.

The ProRes 100x zoom is still more of a wow-factor feature than a daily tool for photography, but it proved fantastic for practical use. Snapping a photo of a signboard across the road or zooming into a restaurant menu from far away delivered text that was sharp and legible.

Pixel 10 Pro zoom: 10x (left) vs 100x ProRes Zoom (right)

Then there’s the AI assistance. The new “camera coach” nudges you to tilt slightly for a better angle or suggests repositioning to capture more of the background. It’s subtle enough not to break the flow of shooting but handy when you want to turn a casual snap into something frame-worthy.

Google Pixel 10 Pro battery life

The 4,870mAh battery has no trouble powering through a full day of heavy use, often stretching into the next morning if your routine is lighter. Moderate users will easily cross the 24-hour mark. The catch lies in charging; Google’s 45W wired speeds still take over an hour, leaving it behind rivals.

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The saving grace is Qi2 wireless support and full MagSafe compatibility, rebranded here as Pixelsnap. Google’s Pixelsnap accessories show promise as well, but you can use any existing Magsafe-compatible accessory with the Pixel 10 series now. In terms of convenience, it’s a win.

Unboxed Take: Who should buy the Google Pixel 10 Pro?

The Pixel 10 Pro is easily one of the most refined Pixel phones to date. It does not try to outgun rivals on raw horsepower, and it honestly doesn’t need to. Instead, the Pixel 10 Pro focuses on the things that matter most. A screen you cannot stop staring at, cameras that make everyday shots feel special, AI that quietly eases the workload, and software built to last.

But does Google fix the Pixel 9’s flaws? For the most part, yes. Heat under stress is still present, but it is better controlled and rarely affects daily use. Charging speeds remain behind the curve, yet stability, polished software, and genuinely useful AI tools make the experience feel complete.

For creators, professionals, and anyone who wants a dependable digital co-pilot, the Pixel 10 Pro is a strong contender. Gamers and performance junkies may still lean toward Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra, while those who live and breathe video will find the iPhone 16 Pro Max hard to beat.

But if you want a phone that blends into your lifestyle and seems to anticipate your next move, the Pixel 10 Pro belongs on your shortlist. It feels like the first Pixel built not just for enthusiasts but for anyone ready to rethink what a smartphone should be.

And for that reason, we rate it a strong 4/5. Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for more product reviews and comparisons.