Google Pixel 10 Pro XL review

Introduction

The Pixel 10 lineup is a familiar sight – so familiar, in fact, you might even mistake the 10 Pro XL for last year’s model. Virtually unchanged on the outside, the latest generation of the ultimate Google phone comes with minor internal upgrades and an even stronger focus on software and AI.

A new Tensor G5 chipset is perhaps where one should start listing the changes, but by now, we know that the chip is hardly impressive when it comes to raw numbers. The tiny nudge in battery capacity can go unnoticed in direct comparisons, and its impact on longevity is debatable. The display’s maximum brightness has been increased slightly from what was already an industry-leading level. Then there’s a hidden telephoto camera upgrade that specs pages won’t readily reveal.

Still, probably the most important new development is the Qi2 wireless charging with embedded magnets for alignment and accessorizing – it’s not the speed of charging that will be among the phone’s selling points for this year either, but maybe the way you can Pixelsnap it to things will.

Maybe you can find something you like in the list below; it’s just not a particularly different list from last year’s.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL specs at a glance:

• Body: 162.8×76.6×8.5mm, 232g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame; IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).
• Display: 6.8″ LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2200 nits (HBM), 3300 nits (peak), 1344x2992px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 486ppi.
• Chipset: Google Tensor G5 (3 nm): Octa-core (1×3.78 GHz Cortex-X4 & 5×3.05 GHz Cortex-A725 & 2×2.25 GHz Cortex-A520); PowerVR DXT-48-1536.
• Memory: 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM; UFS 4.0.
• OS/Software: Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm, 1/1.31″, 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS; Telephoto: 48 MP, f/2.8, 113mm, 1/2.55″, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; Ultra wide angle: 48 MP, f/1.7, 123˚, 1/2.55″, dual pixel PDAF.
• Front camera: 42 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), PDAF.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 8K@30fps (via cloud-based upscaling), 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR; Front camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps.
• Battery: 5200mAh; 45W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 70% in 30 min, 25W wireless (magnetic), Qi2, Reverse wired, Bypass charging.
• Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 6.0, aptX HD; NFC.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, ultrasonic); stereo speakers; Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, Satellite SOS service, Circle to Search.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL unboxing

The Pixel 10 Pro XL’s presentation is basic, but elegant in a sort of Pixel way. The slimline cardboard box is the same for all colorways, but an outer sleeve does indicate which hue you’re getting inside. The contents bring no surprises – unless you’re now counting it as a surprise that a USB-C cable still comes bundled. That’s all the accessories you get in the box – well, that and a SIM pin, where the Pixel supports physical SIMs.

There’s no charger included, obviously, but you’ll want to have a Qi2-capable Pixelsnap one, and they would have never just thrown one in the box anyway. $50/€60 for an official case also sounds like a revenue stream that’s not worth sacrificing. But let’s get back to being positive and focus on the phone.