Google has returned to the flagship area with the Pixel 10 collection, and this yr feels completely different. The firm is not simply refining its method, however actively difficult Apple and Samsung within the premium phase. In our earlier have a look at the Pixel 10, we noticed how Google tightened its deal with AI integration and on a regular basis usability. Now, with the Pixel 10 Pro XL, the gloves are off. This is the top-tier mannequin within the lineup, designed to face toe-to-toe with the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The query is whether or not Google has completed sufficient with its design, show, efficiency, and particularly its digital camera and AI options to really declare a spot among the many elite. Let’s discover out.
Design
Even whether it is large (XL), it doesn’t really feel large: that is the praise the Pixel 10 Pro XL earns instantly. Google has managed to seize the XL essence whereas conserving every part compact and refined. At first look, the cellphone carries ahead Google’s now-familiar visor design, however the refined curves and slimmer bezels make it really feel sleeker than the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Jade variant I reviewed oozes a premium really feel; the silky matte again with its frosted end resists smudges nicely, whereas the polished spacecraft-grade aluminium body provides the machine a sturdy but fashionable character. The ergonomics strike a stability, heavy sufficient at 232 grams to really feel substantial, however evenly distributed so it by no means feels unwieldy within the hand.
The refinement extends to the main points. Ports and buttons stay minimalist, with solely the facility and quantity buttons on the appropriate facet. Their placement is per the Pixel 9 Pro XL, although some may nonetheless discover the facility button’s place above the quantity rocker barely unintuitive in comparison with Samsung or Apple’s layouts. The USB-C 3.2 port sits cleanly on the backside, and the tactile suggestions from the buttons feels sharp and premium. Turn to the entrance, and the practically edge-to-edge Super Actua show stands out. Slimmer bezels in comparison with the Pixel 9 Pro XL give it a contemporary flagship attraction, although Samsung’s S25 Ultra nonetheless edges forward with barely narrower frames.
Durability is a serious promoting level. With Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on each back and front and IP68 mud and water resistance, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is constructed to face up to the each day grind. Google has additionally doubled down on sustainability, recycled cobalt within the battery, recycled uncommon earth parts in magnets, and even recycled tungsten within the haptic engine. It’s a dedication that goes past design aesthetics, giving the machine a extra accountable identification in a crowded premium market.
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Display
The Pixel 10 Pro XL comes with a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED panel, a continuation from the Pixel 9 Pro XL, however sharper and brighter. The Super Actua show provides a crisp decision of 1,344 x 2,992 at 486 ppi, backed by an adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh charge that shifts seamlessly relying on use. Watching high-frame-rate movies or scrolling by means of social media feels fluid, whereas studying static content material doesn’t unnecessarily drain battery because of LTPO effectivity.
The actual improve lies within the brightness. Google pushes the boundaries this yr with 2,200 nits HDR and three,300 nits peak brightness: a bump from final yr’s 3,000 nits. Outdoor readability is great, even beneath harsh daylight. Compared with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Pixel nonetheless falls barely behind Samsung’s industry-leading 3,500-nit panel, however the distinction isn’t jarring in day-to-day use. For most customers, the colourful HDR colors, >2,000,000:1 distinction ratio, and exact 24-bit depth make the Pixel 10 Pro XL some of the fulfilling shows to devour content material on. Whether it’s HDR motion pictures on Netflix or gaming visuals, the display constantly shines.
OS and AI
Launched with Android 16, the Pixel 10 Pro XL builds on Google’s imaginative and prescient of software program and AI because the differentiator within the flagship market. Material 3 Expressive provides cleaner design touches, redesigned fast settings, and simpler navigation throughout apps like Camera, Phone, and Photos. The always-on show now helps full wallpaper visuals, and Live Effects wallpapers add inventive customisation. Compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the OS feels smoother, extra polished, and much more in tune with Google’s AI ecosystem.
AI is in every single place. The Gemini suite, with Gemini Nano and Gemini Live, drives a lot of the expertise. Gemini Live allows real-time, contextual conversations, whereas options like Pixel Journal and Magic Cue showcase on-device intelligence that tries to anticipate consumer wants. While Magic Cue isn’t all the time constant, its potential to floor related data throughout apps hints at the place Google is steering smartphone interactions. Compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the AI right here feels extra built-in, making the ten Pro XL a real AI-first machine.
Performance
At its core is the brand new Google Tensor G5, a leap from final yr’s G4. Built on TSMC’s 3nm course of, the G5 is extra environment friendly and thermally secure than its predecessor, fixing the warmth points that plagued earlier Tensors. In my week-long utilization, multitasking was buttery clean, and app switching carried zero lag. Paired with 16 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, the cellphone is well-equipped for heavy workloads, from enhancing photographs to managing a number of apps.
Synthetic benchmarks inform an fascinating story. Geekbench scores sit at 2307 (single-core) and 6152 (multi-core), with a GPU rating of 3028 and an AnTuTu rating of 1504412. These are respectable numbers however nonetheless path behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite powering the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung leads in uncooked efficiency, however in real-world use, the Pixel 10 Pro XL doesn’t falter. Everyday duties, multitasking, and productiveness apps glide easily, highlighting Google’s optimization strengths.
Gaming efficiency is surprisingly stable. Titles like Genshin Impact and BGMI ran at excessive settings with secure body charges. While sustained classes do heat the machine barely, it by no means reached uncomfortable ranges. One standout was throughout the AnTuTu stress check, the cellphone maintained constant efficiency with out heating up excessively, a notable enchancment over the Pixel 9 Pro XL. For a tool not marketed as a gaming cellphone, this was spectacular.
Where Samsung’s S25 Ultra nonetheless leads is in uncooked GPU horsepower and sustained efficiency beneath excessive gaming hundreds, however for almost all of customers, the Pixel 10 Pro XL provides clean, dependable efficiency that makes benchmarks really feel much less related.
Camera
An absolute deal with: the Pixel 10 Pro XL cements its popularity as a camera-first flagship. On paper, the triple digital camera setup mirrors the Pixel 9 Pro XL: a 50 MP large sensor, 48 MP ultrawide with macro focus, and 48 MP 5x telephoto. But the magic lies in how Tensor G5 and Google’s AI elevate the expertise. Pro Res Zoom now extends as much as 100x, producing outcomes that, whereas AI-assisted, stay sharper and extra usable than earlier than.
Pixel 10 Pro XL digital camera pattern
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
Daylight photographs are crisp, with balanced publicity and hues that lean pure. The ultrawide maintains element and consistency with the first sensor, whereas the telephoto delivers sharp photographs at its 5x optical vary. The Galaxy S25 Ultra nonetheless edges forward in versatility with its dual-telephoto setup, however Google’s AI enhancements assist bridge the hole.
Pixel 10 Pro XL digital camera pattern
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
Portraits are detailed and textured, particularly with the brand new 50 MP High-Res Portrait mode. Edge detection is robust, and the background blur feels pure. The Pixel shines at night time images. Night Sight produces detailed, vibrant photographs that, in lots of circumstances, surpass what we’ve seen from most Android rivals, particularly in sharpness. The S25 Ultra provides brighter low-light photographs, however Google’s interpretation feels more true to life.
Pixel 10 Pro XL digital camera pattern
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
Selfies, courtesy of the 42 MP entrance digital camera, are equally spectacular. Autofocus ensures sharpness even in group selfies, and the 103° ultrawide discipline of view is ideal for becoming in additional folks or surroundings. AI instruments like Best Take and Face Unblur guarantee fewer ruined photographs, making the Pixel a dependable companion for images lovers.
Pixel 10 Pro XL digital camera pattern
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
The total takeaway? The Pixel 10 Pro XL doesn’t simply take photographs, it produces photographs that really feel genuine and true to the scene, a stability between computational excellence and visible honesty.
Battery
With a 5,200 mAh cell, the Pixel 10 Pro XL packs the most important battery ever in a Pixel machine. This is a modest bump over the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 5,060 mAh, however effectivity positive aspects from the Tensor G5 make the distinction tangible. In common use, the cellphone comfortably lasted a day and a half, pushing shut to five hours of screen-on time with out battery nervousness. Extreme Battery Saver guarantees as much as 100 hours, helpful in journey or emergencies.
Charging will get a significant improve. With 45W wired charging and 25W wi-fi charging through the brand new Qi2 customary, the Pixel prices sooner than its predecessor. It now takes round 75 minutes to totally cost, in comparison with over 90 minutes on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The addition of Pixelsnap, Google’s MagSafe rival, is a considerate contact, although accent assist continues to be restricted at launch.
Verdict
Priced at ₹1,24,999, the brand new Google Pixel 10 Pro XL stands robust on AI and software program whereas doubling down on its camera-related strengths. It is probably not a uncooked powerhouse just like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, however the Tensor G5 does its job easily, delivering a dependable expertise freed from throttling or overheating. The show is among the many finest, the design feels premium, and the cameras proceed to impress, particularly in night time and AI-assisted images.
For Pixel loyalists, that is probably the most refined model but. For others, it represents a daring step into an AI-driven smartphone future: one which may not win benchmarks, however actually wins belief.