I’ve not too long ago switched again to the Pixel 10 Professional XL after three months away, and I’ve one large remorse: why didn’t I do it sooner?
After testing (and loving) Google’s newest and best for my 4.5-star full evaluate in August, I continued utilizing the ten Professional XL as my essential telephone for just a few extra weeks.
Nevertheless, as is inevitable for a telephone reviewer, I quickly needed to swap to a different machine. 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 telephone for the cash, however it has some fairly main downsides – particularly on the software program facet. Nevertheless, regardless of discovering it more and more irritating to make use of, I continued utilizing it for greater than 5 weeks after my evaluate was printed.
So, was there a specific purpose 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 transferring 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 metallic may sound faintly tragic, however it’s true. Listed here are 5 methods through which it’s enhanced my life, plus one large purpose why it’s not for everybody.
A sigh of software program aid
Coming again to the Pixel software program felt like returning house after an extended journey. It’s reassuringly acquainted, with all the things in precisely the identical place as I keep 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 choose Samsung’s One UI. Folks can change their minds, you already know!
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The mix of a slick UI, virtually zero bloatware and highly effective Pixel-exclusive options (howdy, Now Taking part in and Name Display!) makes it a pleasure to make use of.
You additionally get what I imagine is the perfect suite of AI options on any telephone, although I are inclined to keep away from most of them as if my life will depend on it.
The mix of a slick UI, virtually 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 adore it a lot.
An underrated design
After I first tried the Poco F8 Extremely, I mentioned it had “the good design I’d ever seen”. How may switching to a ‘boring’ black Pixel 10 Professional XL be something aside from a design downgrade?
Nevertheless, within the final couple of months, I’ve begun to understand the worth of understated telephone aesthetics. It’s what prompted me to explain the talk about colors as a “splash of distraction”.
In actuality, the ten Professional XL provides all the things I’m in search of in a telephone design. It’s glossy, distinctive and appears elegant. A matt coating on the rear means you gained’t be gazing fingerprint smudges, whereas an IP68 water and dirt resistance score means it’s constructed to final.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
After virtually two months of mixed utilization, the telephone appears to be like mainly model new. I’d be shocked if it’s a lot totally different after two years – particularly should you use a case.
Oh, these cameras…
I’m no pictures professional. In case you are, 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 alternative for eager photographers.
However that’s not me. I simply wish to open the digital camera app, snap a fast picture and be assured that the outcome 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. Images are virtually all the time crisp, well-exposed and brimming with element.
And it’s not all about that essential lens, both. The 5x telephoto lens brings zoom pictures 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 wish to open the digital camera app, snap a fast picture and be assured that the outcome will probably be good. In that regard, the Pixel 10 Professional XL is unmatched
Elsewhere, portrait mode is able to some beautiful background blur, whereas Night time Sight means you’ll be able to nonetheless get nice images in low mild.
Even the 100x Professional Res Zoom, which I ridiculed in my full evaluate for its unrealistic AI upscaling, has confirmed able to delivering efficient outcomes.
It’s a complete digital camera system which, whereas not the best possible on any telephone, provides all the things I may ask for.
3D face unlock FTW!
You already know what they are saying – when you strive 3D face unlock, you’ll be able to’t return!
Okay, so no-one truly says that. However after Android customers have been starved of a real different to Face ID (not a primary model that may be fooled with a photograph), with the ability to name on it would by no means not be cool.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
A handful of Android telephones now provide this, however I feel the Pixel is the simplest. It’s extremely quick and dependable, to the extent that it’s typically recognised my face earlier than I’ve even recognized it’s occurring.
After all, the advantages go far past unlocking the telephone. 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 occurring
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 when my face has already finished the work?
Poor efficiency? Says who?
Loads’s been fabricated from the efficiency of Google’s Tensor G5 chipset – or the shortage thereof. In any case, while you’re paying flagship costs, it’s affordable to count on one thing that’s a minimum of much like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. As an alternative, benchmarks counsel there’s a chasm between the 2.
However keep in mind, artificial testing doesn’t all the time mirror a real-world expertise. The truth is, it hardly does. As somebody who hardly ever makes use of their telephone for cell gaming (until I’m reviewing a telephone) or some other 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 individuals may need extra from a telephone that prices a lot, which is legitimate. However for on a regular basis use, I’ve zero complaints.
A heavyweight telephone – actually
Except for worth, I solely have one actual grievance in regards to the Pixel 10 Professional XL: it’s too rattling heavy.
At 232g, it’s one of many weightiest non-folding handsets available on the market 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 attempting 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 telephone up. Not good.
Is it a dealbreaker? To be sincere, for some individuals, sure. During which case, I’d advocate going for the common Pixel 10, which provides lots of the identical advantages inside a extra light-weight (and inexpensive) 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 telephone up
A near-perfect reintroduction
However the Pixel 10 Professional XL remains to be the telephone for me. There are many nice issues that I haven’t talked about, together with a stunning 6.8-inch show, faster-than-expected 45W wired charging and built-in Qi2 wi-fi charging, which permits a variety of Pixelsnap-compatible equipment.
The Pixel 10 Professional XL was topped Tech Advisor’s finest telephone in our end-of-year awards. After switching again to it final week, I remembered why over again.
What may beat it in 2026? Galaxy S26 and Pixel 11 handsets are more likely to be in the perfect telephones dialog as soon as once more.