Google Pixel 10 Pro XL review

Another year, another Pixel launch, and this time the newest phones don’t look all that different from their predecessors. But while not visible to the naked eye, there are upgrades under the hood, which makes the Pixel 10 series worth a look. Having spent a couple of weeks using the biggest phone in the lineup, here’s our Google Pixel 10 Pro XL review.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL design: Déjà vu

Let’s address the elephant in the room first, and no it’s not a dig at the phone’s size. In terms of design, the Pixel 10 Pro XL looks near identical to last year’s Pixel 9 Pro XL. Instead of a design overhaul, Google has opted for a “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy.

The front is dominated by the mammoth 6.8-inch screen protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which should keep scratches from accidental drops and pocket change at bay. The back is spartan with a flat design, an etched Google logo in the centre, and the protruding camera bar towards the top that has become part of the Pixel identity. The gently curved edges are polished and add to the premium feel of the device, but can also make the phone slippery to hold—nothing a case cannot fix.

ALSO READ: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review

Suffice to say, the overall design oozes premium-ness, which is what you expect from a device in this price range. Colour options are classy, to say the least, and much less flashy than what other brands have launched lately. We have been spending time with the blue-ish Moonstone variant, and absolutely adore it. 

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL display: When size actually matters

Another aspect that doesn’t need tinkering with is the massive 6.8-inch OLED display, which remains a treat for the eyes. Colours pop without being oversaturated, blacks are inky deep, and brightness levels are impressive enough to easily use the phone outdoors on a sunny day. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything buttery smooth—from scrolling through social feeds to playing graphically intensive games.

Whether you’re binge-watching the latest season of your favourite web series, reading the latest story on Unboxed or gaming, this screen delivers.

Hidden under the screen is an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which is accurate and quick to unlock the device. For a faster unlocking experience, Google’s Face Unlock continues to impress.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL performance: A surprising twist

Here’s where things get interesting. This year, Google moved on from Samsung to TSMC, which means the Tensor G5 is the first truly made-by-Google chipset powering the Pixel phone. For consumers this should translate into a more optimised and efficient performance, and more importantly address one of the chipset’s biggest drawbacks—overheating.

ALSO READ: Google Pixel 10 Pro review

And Google has largely succeeded in its efforts. The Pixel 10 Pro XL doesn’t easily overheat even when used for longer periods. It’s only when really pushed that the temperatures rise, but never to uncomfortable levels. And the temperatures are quick to fall when the phone is given a bit of respite.

In day-to-day usage, the performance is snappy with apps opening and shutting quickly, and no lags visible. Gamers too won’t find much to complain about, when racing around the streets in Asphalt 9: Legends.

For geeks who swear by benchmarks, the latest Tensor G5 lags behind rivals in terms of raw horsepower. But, for most users that won’t matter as the Pixel is able to consistently deliver top performance.

Making sure everything ticks is a 5,200mAh battery, which is up from the 5,060mAh battery on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. While it is a decent bump on paper, it doesn’t really translate into a huge upgrade in real-world usage.

Don’t get us wrong, you can still get through an entire day easily on a single charge. Our usage involved a mix of things including browsing the internet, scrolling through social feeds, shooting photos, and a bit of gaming. A more judicial usage might even push the battery life beyond a day.

Charging speeds are adequate, if not industry-leading in 2025. But the real upgrade here is the presence of Qi2 charging support, which gives you 25W speeds when connected to a wireless charger.

More importantly, support for wireless accessories too get some love from Google. Similar to MagSafe on iPhones, Pixel phones can now snap on to a range of wireless magnetic accessories. In fact, they are compatible with all MagSafe accessories as well.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL cameras: Pixel magic continues

If there’s one area where Pixel phones truly excel, it’s photography. And this year, things are no different. Google has retained last year’s triple-camera setup (50MP main + 48MP ultrawide + 48MP 5x telephoto), and sprinkled some more AI magic on them—especially the telephoto lens with ‘Pro Res Zoom’.

First the basics, and photos shot with the primary lens look great with vibrant, punchy colours and plenty of details. Even when the lighting is less than ideal, the Pixel cameras’ Night Sight feature continues to impress.

ALSO READ: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra camera zoom comparison

The real hero this time is the ProRes 100x zoom. It may not be something that you will use often, when you do, it will make you go wow. Basically, this feature enables you to shoot photos of far-off things and then use AI to sharpen it to a level where it feels like something adjacent to you. There are restrictions however, and the feature works best with objects and text, but yet again proves what AI can really do.

Then there’s the ‘Camera Coach’ powered by Gemini. It is basically a feature that suggests ways to improve the photo you are about to shoot. These suggestions are delivered subtly without getting annoying.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL software: Android 16 and AI galore

The latest Android version and a clean UI have been the highlights of the Pixel series, and that’s also the case with the Pixel 10 Pro XL. The device runs Android 16 out-of-the-box, complete with Google’s new Material 3 Expressive UI. The new UI is clean, boasts a deeper integration with AI, and overall feels quite refined. Add in support for seven years of updates, and this makes the phone a solid long-term investment.

ALSO READ: How to update your Pixel phone to Android 16

Not surprisingly, AI is everywhere! In addition to the Gemini features and the ones assisting your photography, there’s a new feature called ‘Magic Cue’. As we mentioned in our Pixel 10 Pro review, this all-new AI assistant feature feels magical—in theory at least. But being restricted to the Google apps and no support for WhatsApp, makes this less than useful—for the time being.

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

Google’s Pixel 10 Pro XL is frustratingly close to being the perfect Android smartphone. The camera is stellar, the display is gorgeous, the software experience is polished, and the build quality is top-notch. But the less-than-flagship grade performance, especially at this price, prevents it from being an unqualified recommendation.

Having said that, the latest Pixel remains among the best photography tools at your disposal, which seamlessly combines the best of hardware, software, and AI. And for these reasons, we rate the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL 4/5. 

Competition too is fierce if you’re on the lookout for an ultra-premium flagship phone with stellar cameras. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the upcoming Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max promise all this and more.

Stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for more such in-depth reviews and everything tech.