In a market that has been dominated by Samsung’s and iPhone’s in recent times, Google has consistently pushed the boundaries of what a smartphone can be while at the same time making design choices that creates loyal fans. With the release of the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, the tech giant has once again delivered a device that not only challenges the status quo but, in many aspects, surpasses its rivals. The new device especially makes a strong case for the iPhone user who might be on an older gen phone and is looking to change up their ecosystem but doesn’t want it to feel too different to what they already have.
I should point out that I’ve been primarily an iPhone user for the last few years. Prior to that I switched briefly to a Samsung and in between the iPhone and this pixel my daily driver was a Motorola Edge 60 Pro. All are great devices in their own rights, but the Pixel has a certain star quality I’d really only ever experienced from using an iPhone.
Design and Display
The Pixel 10 Pro XL boasts a sleek, refined design that feels premium in hand. Its display, a stunning resolution OLED panel, offers vibrant colours and deep blacks, making content consumption perfect. The adaptive refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsiveness and the sound has had a bump up in quality over previous models giving an all round feeling of improvement.
Look, it comes in a range of really nice colours, but that has never made a lot of sense to me as the first thing you do is put a case on it anyway, so great, get the Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain or Obsidian.. And then slap a pink case on it. Actually credit where credit is due, the official Google PixelSnap cases are a perfect match and have one of the best form factors I’ve ever held. They even have this felt like interior to protect your device.
I was loaned a “Porcelain” model for a review period and yes it’s the same colour as a new toilet, the phone case of the same colour provided a much nicer aesthetic. The case also doesn’t add too much size to the already massive Pro XL, which is a good size if you have a handbag but feels really large in a pocket in comparison to the regular pro.
The phone on its own has some really lovely subtle curves and well balanced weight distribution that contribute to a comfortable grip, distinguishing it from the often more angular designs of its competitors.
The spacecraft grade aluminium is almost too nice to cover up, but is also a fingerprint bandit, so get a case.
The camera bar design is clever for a couple of reasons. The first of course is that it just looks nice and symmetrical, the second is that when sitting flat on a table it is slightly raised on one side, but you don’t get that wobble from having them all jammed up in the one corner.
Camera Capabilities
For years I’d asked friends why their photos look so vibrant and clear as if taken by a pro-photographer and the answer was always, “that’s just my Pixel”. Google’s Pixel line just has the most solid reputation for exceptional camera performance, and the 10 Pro XL doesn’t disappoint.
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL features a pro-level triple-camera system with a 50MP wide lens, a 48MP ultrawide with Macro Focus, and a 48MP 5x telephoto lens.
Equipped with this advanced multi-lens system the device captures breathtaking photos in virtually any lighting condition. The integration of Google’s computational photography, particularly features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur make photography fun and allow you to perfect any mishaps.
If you’d like to be better at taking photos the inbuilt AI system known as the “Camera Coach” will talk you through how to position your camera to get the most compelling shot. I used it a few times and was surprised at how well it managed to describe what the lens was looking at. For example, I have an unfinished pool in my backyard, and it referred to it as an empty concrete pool and directed me on how to best capture the image without too much shadow.
Taking the Pixel out into the world to test its capabilities the family and I went strawberry picking. Even after the photos are compressed via social media you can see the quality shine through in the way that the new camera systems capture the colours, the small items up close and the emotion of each shot.
The Pro Res Zoom was impeccable as you can see in shot 3 and 4. Three is the shot I captured where you can clearly see the numbers on the licence plate and 4 is how far away I was standing at the time. While I could never see the need for a 100x zoom as the phone can do, it’s a nice option to have even if you are only using a small percentage of that.
You won’t take a better selfie on any other phone either. The Pixel 10 Pro has upped the front facing camera to 42 MP Dual PD selfie camera with autofocus giving you a quality reserved usually for the rear facing camera. Now you can see the photo you are taking of yourself and know that quality won’t be dog-poop.
Powered by Google’s Tensor G5 Chip
At the heart of the device is Google’s latest custom-designed chip, the Pixel 10 Pro XL delivers snappy performance and quality multitasking. Applications launch instantly, and graphic-intensive games run really well. I spent some time playing the Solo Leveling mobile game and it was stunning.
What I really like about “the Pixel experience” is its clean, intuitive interface, it’s Android in the most pure way without all the extra bloat that comes when different brands tack on their own bits and bobs.
The software always feels optimised and user-centric. This tight integration of hardware and software echoes the philosophy that has made iPhones so appealing, yet Google brings its own unique spin with intelligent features like Call Screen and At a Glance.
During the experience there was only one hiccup that I found annoying, while trying to put my Facebook icon on the home screen from my app list, it would show there until I used it and then disappear back into the app list so I had to re-pin it. No other apps had that issue, so it could be down to Meta engineering more than Googles, but it was worth mentioning.
The AI Integration
Regardless of how you might feel about AI, there’s no doubt that Google is a leader in being able to integrate it with their products. Gemini Live is one of the most powerful models that is constantly surprising with what it can achieve. The Pixel 10 Pro XL integrates AI throughout its operating system to enhance user experience. Beyond the impressive computational photography features I’ve mentioned like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur, the device leverages AI for proactive assistance and personalized interactions.
Features such as Call Screen intelligently filter spam calls, saving users time and annoyance, while At a Glance provides contextual information like upcoming appointments or weather updates right on the home screen. The “Camera Coach” further demonstrates this deep AI integration, offering real-time guidance to improve photographic composition, proving that the Pixel 10 Pro XL isn’t just smart, but actively helpful.
I usually find a way to turn off the AI features on a device as they never feel polished enough to be included in a final product, but on the Pixel 10 the experience genuinely felt like it was making the right choices at the right time and achieving the promise of an assistant or companion we’ve been waiting for.
Battery Life and Charging
The Pixel 10 Pro XL features a robust battery that comfortably lasts a full day of heavy usage, which after asking around to regular Pixel users seems to be a significant improvement over previous generations. Fast charging capabilities ensure minimal downtime, allowing users to quickly power up and get back to their day. The real win here is the introduction of Pixelsnap which is the Google equivalent of Apple’s MagSafe, although I’m not a fan of the naming convention as it sounds like it should be camera related I do like the implantation, especially the fact that it works seamlessly with Apple accessories, so if you are making a switch you don’t have to buy all new stuff.
Final Thoughts
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is more than just an Android smartphone; it’s a bold move of innovation by Google to really enhance the user experience. Its exceptional camera system, powerful performance, and intelligent software collectively create a device that offers a compelling alternative to the iPhone.
If you were sitting on the fence about swapping over from IOS to Android this is a device that is giving you more options to do so than not. The question is now less of “should I” and more “which colour”.
Pricing
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is available starting at $1999rrp, making it a premium choice for those seeking top-tier performance and features. Storage options include 256GB for $1999, 512GB for $2199, and 1TB for $2549, ensuring there’s a model to suit various needs and preferences.
