I’ve not too long ago switched again to the Pixel 10 Professional XL after three months away, and I’ve one huge remorse: why didn’t I do it sooner?
After testing (and loving) Google’s newest and biggest for my 4.5-star full assessment in August, I continued utilizing the ten Professional XL as my principal cellphone for just a few extra weeks.
Nonetheless, as is inevitable for a cellphone reviewer, I quickly needed to change to a different gadget. First up was the underwhelming Motorola Edge 70, which I used to be eager to ditch, carefully adopted by the Poco F8 Extremely.
The F8 Extremely is a formidable cellphone for the cash, however it has some fairly main downsides – particularly on the software program facet. Nonetheless, regardless of discovering it more and more irritating to make use of, I continued utilizing it for greater than 5 weeks after my assessment was printed.
So, was there a selected cause for my switching hesitation? Nah. I simply couldn’t be bothered.
Oh, how I want I’d spent half-hour sorting it out sooner. Since shifting again to the Pixel 10 Professional XL final week, I’ve noticed a number of key advantages and realised simply how a lot I’d missed it.
Lacking a slab of glass and steel would possibly sound faintly tragic, however it’s true. Listed here are 5 methods during which it’s enhanced my life, plus one huge cause why it’s not for everybody.
A sigh of software program aid
Coming again to the Pixel software program felt like returning dwelling after a protracted journey. It’s reassuringly acquainted, with the whole lot in precisely the identical place as I bear in mind.
Android 16 is the best cell OS that Google has ever made, and I imagine it’s at its finest on Pixel telephones. Earlier than you protest, sure, I’ve beforehand mentioned that I desire Samsung’s One UI. Individuals can change their minds, you recognize!
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The mix of a slick UI, nearly zero bloatware and highly effective Pixel-exclusive options (hi there, Now Enjoying and Name Display screen!) makes it a pleasure to make use of.
You additionally get what I imagine is the very best suite of AI options on any cellphone, although I are likely to keep away from most of them as if my life relies on it.
The mix of a slick UI, nearly zero bloatware and highly effective Pixel-exclusive options makes it a pleasure to make use of
Throw in six extra years of normal updates and being among the many first in line for Android 17, and you’ll see why I find it irresistible a lot.
An underrated design
Once I first tried the Poco F8 Extremely, I mentioned it had “the best design I’d ever seen”. How might switching to a ‘boring’ black Pixel 10 Professional XL be something aside from a design downgrade?
Nonetheless, within the final couple of months, I’ve begun to understand the worth of understated cellphone aesthetics. It’s what prompted me to explain the talk about colors as a “splash of distraction”.
In actuality, the ten Professional XL gives the whole lot I’m in search of in a cellphone design. It’s glossy, distinctive and appears elegant. A matt coating on the rear means you received’t be looking at fingerprint smudges, whereas an IP68 water and dirt resistance ranking means it’s constructed to final.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
After nearly two months of mixed utilization, the cellphone seems to be principally model new. I’d be stunned if it’s a lot completely different after two years – particularly for those who use a case.
Oh, these cameras…
I’m no images knowledgeable. If you’re, you may be pissed off by the Pixel 10 Professional XL digital camera expertise. Certainly, the likes of Xiaomi 15 Extremely and Oppo Discover X9 Professional get a lot nearer to being a reputable DSLR substitute for eager photographers.
However that’s not me. I simply need to open the digital camera app, snap a fast picture and be assured that the consequence will probably be good. In that regard, the Pixel 10 Professional XL is unmatched.
It’s so rattling dependable. Wherever I take it – on a stroll within the woods, to a gig or just my favorite restaurant – it doesn’t miss a beat. Pictures are nearly all the time crisp, well-exposed and brimming with element.
And it’s not all about that principal lens, both. The 5x telephoto lens brings zoom images to life, whereas the ultrawide lens avoids the all-too-common drop-off in picture high quality. The selfie digital camera is up there with the perfect.
I simply need to open the digital camera app, snap a fast picture and be assured that the consequence will probably be good. In that regard, the Pixel 10 Professional XL is unmatched
Elsewhere, portrait mode is able to some gorgeous background blur, whereas Evening Sight means you may nonetheless get nice photographs in low mild.
Even the 100x Professional Res Zoom, which I ridiculed in my full assessment for its unrealistic AI upscaling, has confirmed able to delivering efficient outcomes.
It’s a complete digital camera system which, whereas not the very best on any cellphone, gives the whole lot I might ask for.
3D face unlock FTW!
You realize what they are saying – when you attempt 3D face unlock, you may’t return!
Okay, so no-one really says that. However after Android customers had been starved of a real different to Face ID (not a fundamental model that may be fooled with a photograph), having the ability to name on it should by no means not be cool.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
A handful of Android telephones now supply this, however I feel the Pixel is the best. It’s extremely quick and dependable, to the extent that it’s typically recognised my face earlier than I’ve even recognized it’s taking place.
After all, the advantages go far past unlocking the cellphone. Within the final week, I’ve been utilizing my face to pay for stuff on-line and log into all method of apps – together with on-line banking. It’s been completely seamless.
It’s typically recognised my face earlier than I’ve even recognized it’s taking place
The Pixel 10 Professional XL additionally has an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner that works very nicely. However why spend the second it takes to place my thumb to the display screen when my face has already performed the work?
Poor efficiency? Says who?
Loads’s been manufactured from the efficiency of Google’s Tensor G5 chipset – or the shortage thereof. In any case, while you’re paying flagship costs, it’s cheap to count on one thing that’s a minimum of just like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. As an alternative, benchmarks recommend there’s a chasm between the 2.
However bear in mind, artificial testing doesn’t all the time replicate a real-world expertise. In actual fact, it infrequently does. As somebody who hardly ever makes use of their cellphone for cell gaming (until I’m reviewing a cellphone) or another demanding workloads, the Pixel 10 Professional XL has greater than met my efficiency wants.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
It’s been quick, dependable and extremely responsive since I returned, even when rapidly switching between apps and multitasking. Some folks would possibly need extra from a cellphone that prices a lot, which is legitimate. However for on a regular basis use, I’ve zero complaints.
A heavyweight cellphone – actually
Except for value, I solely have one actual grievance concerning the Pixel 10 Professional XL: it’s too rattling heavy.
At 232g, it’s one of many weightiest non-folding handsets in the marketplace proper now. Throw on the official Pixelsnap case that I all the time use, and also you’re pushing 270g.
Mattias Inghe
That may make it uncomfortably heavy, particularly when making an attempt to make use of one handed. After a few hours of doomscrolling (my favorite night exercise), I’d developed a blister on the little finger I used to be utilizing to prop the cellphone up. Not good.
Is it a dealbreaker? To be sincere, for some folks, sure. By which case, I’d advocate going for the common Pixel 10, which gives loads of the identical advantages inside a extra light-weight (and reasonably priced) package deal.
After a few hours of doomscrolling (my favorite night exercise), I’d developed a blister on the little finger I used to be utilizing to prop the cellphone up
A near-perfect reintroduction
However the Pixel 10 Professional XL continues to be the cellphone for me. There are many nice issues that I haven’t talked about, together with a beautiful 6.8-inch show, faster-than-expected 45W wired charging and built-in Qi2 wi-fi charging, which allows a variety of Pixelsnap-compatible equipment.
The Pixel 10 Professional XL was topped Tech Advisor’s finest cellphone in our end-of-year awards. After switching again to it final week, I remembered why over again.
What might beat it in 2026? Galaxy S26 and Pixel 11 handsets are prone to be in the very best telephones dialog as soon as once more.