I’ve used the Pixel 9 Professional XL since launch, not by means of lack of selection, however as a result of I believe it’s among the finest Android telephones obtainable. I’m a fan, you possibly can say, however I’m not blind to its faults.
When the Pixel 10 Professional leaks began, I used to be initially disillusioned: the dearth of design modifications from the Pixel 9 Professional XL to the Pixel 10 Professional XL made the brand new telephone appear iterative. However now the Pixel 10 household has launched, I’m stuffed with hope – as a result of the Pixel 10 Professional XL appears to be the telephone that the Pixel 9 Professional XL ought to have been.
After utilizing it for a yr, my greatest frustration with the Pixel 9 Professional XL is its battery life. When operating it alongside the OnePlus 13 or the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely, it was comfortably outclassed. Samsung’s clearly doing one thing proper, as a result of the Galaxy 25 Extremely has a decrease capability battery.
The battery within the Pixel 10 Professional XL, nevertheless, takes a step as much as 5,200mAh. It’s the most important battery in a Pixel but and that may assist it stand its floor in opposition to rivals. However as Samsung demonstrates, stamina isn’t solely about capability, it’s about optimisation and that’s what Google must give attention to.
The Pixel 10 will function a primary for smartphones
Google has been conservative the place batteries and charging are involved, however there’s one thing thrilling taking place with the Pixel 10 Professional XL. It’s the primary telephone to help Qi2 25W. That is the newest normal of Qi2, introduced in July 2025. It helps as much as 25W wi-fi charging, going above and past the 15W presently obtainable.
I don’t say this calmly: this might fully change the Android equipment house
Whereas Android has been speaking about Qi2 charging for a few years, solely the HMD Skyline really supplied it. However now Google is making it occur and which means its Pixel 10 telephones are main the pack.
Evan Blass
I don’t say this calmly: this might fully change the Android equipment house. I’m trying ahead to magnetic chargers, higher in-car mounts, higher nightstands and all the opposite add-ons that iPhone customers have been having fun with for years.
I absolutely anticipate the iPhone 17 Professional to observe swimsuit subsequent month and provide 25W MagSafe charging too.
Tensor takes a flip for the higher
If you happen to ask an Android fan what they need to energy their telephone, they’ll virtually actually say Snapdragon. Google has been going it alone with Tensor for the previous 4 years and I can’t actually say that it’s been totally clean.
In Tensor 5, nevertheless, Google is promising a 34% quicker CPU and a 60% quicker TPU (which is what handles AI). These are doubtlessly large will increase in energy that would assist the Pixel stand extra confidently alongside its rivals.
There’s additionally a nod to the longer term with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. When you won’t want these connection requirements but, the Pixel 10 Professional is able to rock with the following gen while you do.
A show that retains getting higher
One of many issues I beloved in regards to the Pixel 9 Professional XL was the show. Google has made some large strikes with its shows over the previous few years. The Pixel 7 Professional was 1,500 nits, the Pixel 8 Professional was 2,400 nits and the Pixel 9 Professional was 3,000 nits. The Pixel 10 Professional is 3,300 nits.
…pictures look a lot brighter and extra lifelike than they do on different gadgets
Why do we’d like such excessive brightness? It’s about influence, or extra exactly, about HDR. Whereas the entire show will ship 2,200 nits brightness, that 3,300 nits is reserved for a smaller window, which is precisely the way it must be used.
Take a photograph with shiny highlights and Google’s Extremely HDR system captures all that knowledge and shows it with literal brilliance. It makes for extra impactful pictures, even when not all telephones will show it. When utilizing the Pixel to browse Google Images, these pictures look a lot brighter and extra lifelike than they do on different gadgets.
It divides opinion, however when you’ve seen Extremely HDR pictures in Instagram (for instance) all the pieces else simply seems boring. Haters will hate, however I’m certain that those that dislike Extremely HDR achieve this as a result of it makes all the pieces else look so flat and boring.
Okay, it’s actually in regards to the Pixel digital camera
Let’s minimize to the chase: the rationale the Pixel 9 Professional XL hasn’t left my pocket is its digital camera. Google is understood for sticking to the identical cameras and making software program do the heavy lifting – and that’s been the Pixel digital camera’s secret sauce.
Whereas I’ve rated Google’s 30x zoom over rivals, the Pixel 10 Professional goes additional and providing 100x zoom for the primary time. Positive, Samsung did that with the S20 Extremely in 2020 so that is nothing new, however the Pixel contains a heavy dose of AI to assist.
Uh-oh, I hear you say. We noticed this on the Honor Magic 7 Professional, the place the AI SuperZoom actually replaces your shot with Gen AI, however I’ve religion that Google goes to supply one thing higher with Professional Res Zoom. There are some unusual caveats: for instance, it could actually’t be used with individuals within the shot. However I nonetheless can’t wait to see what Google has to supply. And, because it’s all within the software program, there’s an opportunity that this may come to older telephones too.
However not all enhancements are software-based. There’s boosted picture stabilisation on the Pixel 10 Professional and which means longer exposures in decrease gentle with out handshake, which once more ought to enhance the flexibility of the Pixel digital camera.
Similar look, however much more occurring
So sure, the Pixel 10 seems the identical because the Pixel 9, however there’s lots taking place right here. Google pushing Qi2 25W is big, whereas that 100x zoom actually makes a press release and can in all probability be scrutinised greater than every other telephone function.
That’s what I would like from Google: I would like it to steer Android, not merely observe alongside.
See extra information and opinions on the Pixel 10 telephones in our devoted 2025 Google Occasion hub.