Let’s get one thing straight: Google’s Pixel 10 Pro is the best phone Google has ever made. That’s not hyperbole, it’s just the reality after spending two weeks living with this slab of AI-infused glass and metal. There’s a particular pleasure in unboxing a new phone, and with the Pixel 10 Pro in Obsidian black, that pleasure borders on marvel at Googles refinement. I’ve handled my fair share of premium smartphones over the years—some that dazzle, others that disappoint—but this one immediately felt special. The moment I lifted it from the box, I knew Google had finally cracked the code on what a flagship should feel like.
And at starting price of $1,699, the Pixel 10 Pro doesn’t exactly scream “budget bargain,” but it absolutely delivers on every dollar spent. For those wondering about its bigger sibling, the Pro XL, it starts at $1,999 but the only real differences are in screen size and a bit more battery. The smaller Pro phone still gives you all the same premium features, cameras, and performance in a more hand-friendly package here. That makes the Pixel 10 Pro the perfect sweet spot in the lineup—big enough to impress, but not so big it feels like you’re carrying a tablet. And trust me, that balance matters more than you think.
The design, with its spacecraft-grade aluminium and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, is both reassuring and a little indulgent. There’s a certain weight to it—enough to make the phone feel anchored, but never cumbersome. It’s the kind of heft that makes you want to leave your case in the drawer, just to enjoy the tactility. Every detail, from the diamond-cut camera bar to the refined frame, whispers sophistication. Google’s design team finally found their groove, and it shows. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling like you’re holding a piece of hardware that means business. Honestly, I’d put this build quality right up there with the iPhone 16 Pro, and I can’t tell you how many times I accidentally picked up that phone instead of the Pro.
And this year, Google’s gotten bold with its color palette. Beyond the ever-classy Obsidian black, you can pick up the Pixel 10 Pro in Moonstone, Jade, and Porcelain. Each finish has a subtle, elemental undertone that manages to whisper sophistication while still standing out from the usual sea of boring slabs. Moonstone glimmers with a hint of luxury, Jade is quietly confident, and Porcelain is crisp and clean. It’s nice to see Google finally treating color as part of the personality, not just an afterthought. No matter which shade you choose, it’s clear this is a phone designed to be seen as much as used.
But let’s not pretend the Pixel 10 Pro is all about looks. Google’s pitch this year is AI—Gemini, Magic Cue, Camera Coach, and a host of other features that promise to make your life smarter, if not easier. I was excited, genuinely, to see what Magic Cue could do. The idea: your phone anticipates your needs, surfacing helpful info at just the right moment. Dinner plans in a text? Magic Cue is supposed to pop up with the location, ready to share. In reality, after two weeks of daily use, I’m still waiting for Magic Cue to make its grand entrance. I’ve updated every app, toggled every setting, and even started texting myself invitations just to see if I could coax it out of hiding. Nothing. The same goes for Daily Hub which is supposed to be a nice summary of your day, like Samsungs Now Brief. But, it wasn’t even available on my device and at the time of writing this, Google has pulled the feature because its not working as designed.
That said, Google’s other software flourishes are more successful. The Pixel 10 Pro is packed with AI-driven tools, but unlike Samsung’s One UI, which can feel like being dropped into a rocket cockpit, Google keeps things streamlined. Gemini, the built-in assistant, is more than a glorified chatbot—it’s genuinely helpful for planning, writing, and wrangling life’s little details. It’s there when you need it, and quietly steps back when you don’t. There’s a kind of humility to the software that I appreciate; it lets you get on with your day without constantly reminding you how clever it is. Android 16 is clean, fast, and Google’s promise of seven years of updates is the cherry on top—future-proofing that’s rare in the Android world.
Now, let’s talk about the camera. The Pixel line has always been synonymous with great photography, and the 10 Pro is no exception. The 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto sensors are a formidable trio. Portraits are lush, low-light shots are bright without being garish, and colors are rendered with a natural warmth that’s hard to fake. But here’s the honest truth: the competition has closed the gap. Apple and Samsung have caught up, and sometimes even leapfrogged Google in certain scenarios. The Pixel still excels at “point and shoot” brilliance, but it’s no longer the undisputed king of smartphone photography.
The 100x Pro Res Zoom deserves its own paragraph. It’s a technical marvel, reconstructing details at distances where the naked eye gives up. I’ve zoomed in on distant city skylines and captured details I didn’t even know existed. But it raises a philosophical question: when AI is filling in the blanks, is it still a photo? Or is it something else entirely? The results are undeniably impressive, but sometimes I wonder if I’m capturing reality or conjuring a digital illusion. Nevertheless, I think most people will use 100x to capture signs and text that’s far away but mostly leaving this feature off. Especially because Google doesn’t let it work on human faces as a security concern.
100x Prores Zoom Gallery
Video, unfortunately, is a sore spot. Google boldly claims this is the best video on any smartphone, but my experience says otherwise. Grain creeps into footage in anything less than perfect light, and micro-stutters are an unwelcome guest, especially when panning or capturing fast movement. Night Sight Video is clever, but the results can’t match the smooth, cinematic quality I’ve seen from Apple and Samsung. If you’re hoping to shoot your next indie film on a Pixel, you’ll want to temper your expectations.
Battery life, on the other hand, is a breath of fresh air. I regularly clock in 6 to 7 hours of screen-on time, which means I can get through a full day of heavy use—calls, messaging, web browsing, a bit of Netflix, and yes, even some light gaming—without anxiously hunting for a charger. Extreme Battery Saver stretches that even further, though you’ll have to give up a few luxuries. Wireless charging with Pixelsnap is a revelation. The magnetic snap-on accessories are convenient and reliable, and I’ve stopped worrying about whether my phone is properly aligned on the pad.
Performance is where the online chatter gets loud. The Tensor G5 chip has its critics, with some claiming it’s lagging behind Qualcomm’s best. In my day-to-day life, though, I haven’t noticed any real-world slowdowns. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and animations are fluid. Even when I dip into more demanding tasks—editing photos, exporting videos, or firing up a quick gaming session—the Pixel 10 Pro holds its own. Sure, image generation and exports from the Instagram Edits app are a hair slower than on the iPhone 16 Pro, but unless you’re timing it with a stopwatch, it’s barely noticeable. What I do notice, and appreciate, is that the phone runs much cooler than previous generations. Video calls, recording, and yes, gaming sessions don’t turn the device into a pocket-sized radiator anymore.
Speaking of gaming, while I’m not grinding out leaderboards or chasing frame-perfect combos, I do enjoy the occasional session of Genshin Impact or Diablo Immortal. The Pixel 10 Pro handles them admirably. Performance is steady, visuals are crisp, and touch response is snappy. Hardcore gamers might notice the Tensor G5 isn’t anywhere near as beastly as the latest Snapdragon, but for the rest of us, it’s more than enough. Points to Google that the G5 doesn’t throttle as much and the improved cooling means you aren’t getting your fingers toasted each time you have a video call.
Verdict
The Pixel 10 Pro is, without question, the best phone Google has ever made. It’s not perfect—Magic Cue is a no-show, video needs work, and the competition is fiercer than ever—but it’s a phone that feels thoughtfully designed, both inside and out. What really sets it apart, though, is how convincingly it tries—and largely succeeds—at being true AI in a smartphone. Unlike other brands that slap “AI” on every feature and hope you’ll be impressed, Google’s approach is more intentional, more integrated, and frankly, more useful.
The Pixel 10 Pro isn’t just a phone with AI; it’s a phone where AI quietly shapes your day, anticipates your needs, and streamlines the stuff that matters. If Google keeps building on this momentum, refining what works and fixing what doesn’t, the future of Pixel is looking very bright indeed. For now, I’m just enjoying the ride, and watching Google set the pace for what a smart, genuinely helpful phone should be.
Google Australia kindly loaned the Pixel 10 Pro to PowerUp for the purpose of this review.
