The Pixel is all grown up.
9 years and 10 generations in, Google’s smartphones are well-established and impressively achieved.
And I don’t have to check the brand new Pixel 10 sequence to know that they’re the best handsets the corporate has ever made. Battery capacities, charging speeds and cameras have been upgraded throughout the board, to not point out the all-important built-in Qi2.
In truth, I believe all of this quantities to a much bigger step for the corporate – making it the default Android flagship maker. Samsung could be extra in style, however Google has some tips up its sleeve that no different manufacturers can match.
Should you’re primarily based in Europe or North America and are on the lookout for a brand new Android flagship, right here’s why Pixel telephones needs to be your first port of name.
Main the way in which on wi-fi charging
There’s just one place to start out. The Pixel 10’s largest improve is to one thing you won’t have thought-about when shopping for a cellphone – wi-fi charging.
Including built-in Qi2 help won’t sound like a lot, nevertheless it might have a big knock-on impact for the way forward for smartphones. After the HMD Skyline grew to become the primary Qi2 Android cellphone final 12 months, Google added the tech to flagships for the primary time – all 4 Pixel 10 telephones, to be actual.
Why is that this such a giant deal? There are three causes.
Firstly, it will increase wi-fi charging speeds from 15W to 25W (on the Professional telephones), placing it consistent with wired speeds on handsets such because the Galaxy S25.
Then, the ring of magnets makes it very straightforward to lock the charging puck into place with a safe match, similar to Apple’s MagSafe.
And eventually, an entire new ecosystem of magnetic equipment is rising. Google has already launched a charger (with or with out stand), ring stand and suitable circumstances, however that appears set to be only the start.
Different Android flagships are more likely to get on board with Qi2 quickly, however Google has a head begin.
One of the best cameras for most individuals
In fact, everybody needs a cellphone that may take nice images, and so they’re not exhausting to search out today. However a very nice digicam cellphone is one thing altogether completely different.
I imagine the distinction lies in consistency. On some telephones, one picture is sensible however the subsequent is inexplicably poor. On others, images are wonderful when there’s good pure lighting, however very disappointing in low gentle.
In case you have pictures experience, these points might be mitigated to an extent. However should you’re an off-the-cuff photographer who simply needs to seize recollections, an incredible point-and-shoot digicam expertise is crucial. And I imagine Google does this higher than every other cellphone.
On each Pixel cellphone I’ve tried, all of the digicam lenses have been capable of maintain their very own. The principle sensor is normally the spotlight, however the high quality of ultrawide photographs is at all times a pleasing shock. And, on telephones that embody it, the optical zoom and real looking portrait results afforded by a telephoto are wonderful.
Chris Corridor / Foundry
Throw within the 5 new pictures options Google has added to the Pixel 10 sequence, and I battle to see how any 2025 telephones can beat them.
A ‘low cost’ flagship with out main compromise
In my expertise, the most cost effective cellphone in a flagship lineup is commonly such a downgrade that it doesn’t even really feel like a flagship anymore.
Certain, the common Samsung Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 are stable handsets, however do you actually wish to put up with a small battery and hamstrung cameras? I actually don’t.
Make no mistake, the common Pixel 10 continues to be a big downgrade in comparison with the Professional telephones. Certainly, there are not any fewer than 14 lacking options.
Nonetheless, I believe these are issues that most individuals can reside with out. Whilst a telephones professional, there are fairly just a few that I doubt I’d even discover.
Crucially, Google has added a telephoto lens to the usual cellphone this 12 months, enabling high-quality 5x optical zoom images. The standard from the ten.8Mp lens received’t be fairly nearly as good because the 48Mp model on the Professional and Professional XL, however I don’t count on it to be a significant step down.
Alongside an identical battery capability and the identical Tensor G5 chipset, there are many causes to go for the most cost effective Pixel 10 cellphone.
Prime-tier software program
You would name me one thing of a Pixel software program sceptic. Earlier this 12 months, I declared Samsung’s One UI 7 to be superior, whereas early impressions of Android 16’s new Materials 3 Expressive redesign didn’t impress me.
Nonetheless, I believe I could be swaying again in direction of the Pixel. I forgot how a lot I cherished having the ability to keep away from Samsung’s extreme bloatware, whereas the brand new AI options that Google has introduced (equivalent to Magic Cue) might make an actual distinction.
Both method, Pixel telephones nonetheless have a number of the greatest software program you’ll discover on any cellphone. It’s intuitive, straightforward to make use of and provides in depth customisation choices.
Immediate updates for years and years
Google’s dedication to software program updates stays nearly as good because it will get. A full seven years of OS and safety updates is the most effective you’ll discover on any flagship, even when the mid-range Fairphone 6 now provides eight of each.
Nonetheless, shopping for a Pixel means you keep away from considered one of Android’s largest issues: delayed updates.
The brand new Pixel 10 telephones are delivery operating Android 16, with an earlier iteration already obtainable on the Pixel 9 sequence.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Different supported Pixel telephones will get the replace quickly, however how lengthy will it’s important to wait to your Samsung, OnePlus or Xiaomi cellphone to get it? The reply can vary from just a few weeks to a number of months, and it tends to take longer if it’s an older or cheaper machine.
Up to now, a significant new model of Android has even been launched by Google earlier than all eligible telephones acquired the earlier model. In case you have a Pixel, you don’t have to fret about that.
Google would possibly path Samsung with regards to market share, however should you’re available in the market for a brand new Android flagship, a Pixel cellphone is now the apparent alternative.
See extra information and opinions on the Pixel 10 telephones in our devoted 2025 Google Occasion hub.