Google Pixel 10 series hands-on: I did not expect this model to be my favorite

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Pixel 10 lineup brings welcome modifications throughout all fashions.
• Base Pixel 10 fits most, however energy customers will choose Professional XL.
• Professional XL is the sleeper hit with high efficiency and endurance.

Get extra in-depth ZDNET tech protection: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers.

I will be trustworthy: My expectations going into my Google Pixel 10 demos have been on the decrease facet. I had simply wrapped up testing Samsung’s $1,900 foldable phone, and Google all however confirmed the new Pixel phones would look equivalent to final yr’s, spoiling the shock forward of this week’s occasion.

The query I had moving into was easy: Was this a scarcity of ambition or an indication of unwavering confidence?

Additionally: Everything announced at Made by Google 2025: Pixel 10 Pro, Fold, Watch 4, and more

It took solely minutes of hands-on time to seek out the reply — and understand simply how unsuitable I used to be about which Pixel model I would actually want this yr. No, the designers at Google have not run out of concepts for adorning a glass rectangle; as an alternative, they’ve improved one thing that was already nice. And one mannequin particularly left the largest impression on me.

The Pixel 10 simply barely missed the mark

Going into the Made by Google occasion, I used to be totally ready to slap my pockets down for the usual Pixel 10 mannequin, ending a seven-year streak of shopping for the XL/Professional variant. The writing was on the wall: A devoted telephoto lens would give the bottom Pixel the digicam bump it wanted to rival its Professional siblings, Qi2 wireless charging with built-in magnets set the stage for Android’s MagSafe second, and an enthralling Indigo colour (pictured above) had my caseless habits drooling.

However a more in-depth examination of the gadget and its spec sheet revealed some not-so-obvious shortcomings. First, becoming a devoted telephoto lens into the rear digicam bar meant that Google needed to downgrade to smaller primary and ultrawide sensors, leading to digicam samples that, primarily based on my albeit restricted pattern dimension, lacked colour accuracy and distinction in comparison with the Professional fashions.

Additionally: I’m a longtime iPhone user, but Google just sold me on the Pixel 10 with these features

Google can also be launching a brand new dock mode that passively shows the time, climate, images, and even good house controls when the Pixel 10 is mounted on the brand new PixelSnap charging mount. Nevertheless, the usual Pixel 10 lacks the LTPO expertise — which permits the show to refresh from 1Hz to 120Hz — discovered on the Professional fashions, which means it is much less energy environment friendly when docked.

By the top of my Pixel 10 demo, the shiny again cowl of my Indigo unit was plastered with fingerprint marks — a delicate reminder of why the costliest telephones in the marketplace go for satin finishes as an alternative of shiny glass.

I nearly folded for this Pixel mannequin

That left me with the Pixel 10 Professional telephones, together with a Fold mannequin that options slimmer entrance display screen bezels, a bigger battery, the identical Qi2 charging because the Pixel 10, and a $1,799 price ticket that makes you suppose twice. Coming from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which tremendously improved in lightness and ergonomics this yr, I used to be totally ready for the Pixel 10 Professional Fold to really feel outdated.

As a substitute, the gadget felt balanced and, frankly, far more sturdy within the hand. Google’s accomplished one thing extravagant with the Pixel 10 Professional Fold; it is the primary foldable telephone ever to be licensed with an IP68 score, making it each water- and dust-resistant. Why has this by no means been accomplished earlier than? The mechanical nature of foldable telephones, with all their hinge programs and rail maneuvers, makes it almost unattainable to fend off dust-sized particles.

Additionally: Google just settled the foldable phone debate with one number – and I hope Samsung is watching

Reaching this engineering feat mechanically places the Pixel 10 Professional Fold forward of the competitors in terms of longevity and reliability. (Once more, the designers at Google are clearly not out of concepts.)

Then got here the unhealthy information. Like earlier years, Google’s costliest {hardware} product is a tier under the Professional and Professional XL fashions in terms of common specs like digicam and charging, a alternative that makes the Professional Fold a troublesome promote in opposition to extra succesful, non-folding flagships. This mannequin additionally expenses at as much as 30W wired and 15W wi-fi, in comparison with the Professional XL’s 45W wired and 25W wi-fi.

That leaves two, and one massive distinction

Google has saved the function parity between its Professional and Professional XL fashions pretty balanced over time, and from a fowl’s-eye view, that continues to be true in 2025. However then you definately begin to discover the minor methods by which the XL mannequin pulls forward and surprise if the hole has ever been bigger.

Additionally: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: I tested both Android phones, and here’s the winner

Like with the Pixel 10 Professional Fold, charging and endurance are essentially the most notable variations between the Professional and Professional XL. The latter has each a bigger battery (5,200mAh vs. 4,870mAh) and sooner wired and wi-fi charging. It is also the one Pixel mannequin this yr to assist the brand new Qi2.5 standard, permitting it to drag in wi-fi vitality at a 25W score.

I’ve additionally discovered the Professional XL mannequin’s bigger 6.8-inch display screen extra optimum for Google’s varied new AI options, whether or not it is for displaying Magic Cues in messages and telephone calls, or picture ideas when Digital camera Coach is turned on, cementing it because the telephone I will possible improve to this summer season.