Price: From $799 to $1,549
Price is arguably the biggest differentiator between these phones, with a $200 jump in the base price between each model.
The Pixel 10 has 12GB of RAM and costs $799 (128GB) or $899 (256GB). The Pixel 10 Pro has 16GB of RAM and costs $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,219 (512GB), or $1,449 (1TB). The Pixel 10 Pro XL offers the same 16GB of RAM but has a bigger screen and a bigger battery. It costs $1,199 (256GB), $1,319 (512GB), or $1,549 (1TB).
As you can see, the top-end model costs about twice as much as the entry-level model, which is quite a range. It’s best to map out how much storage you need and consider whether you need the Pro or XL models for their additional features.
Winner: Pixel 10
Sizing and Design: Keeping It In the Family
The Pixel 10 and 10 Pro are the exact same size, at 6.02 by 2.83 by 0.34 inches (HWD). The 10 weighs a hair less than the Pro, at 7.2 versus 7.3 ounces, respectively. The 10 Pro XL is the biggest and heaviest of the lot at 6.41 by 3.02 by 0.33 inches and 8.18 ounces.
Left to right: Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Only a few small details set them apart in terms of design. The 10 has a glossy rear panel and a matte metallic frame, while the 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL have a matte rear panel and a glossy metallic frame. Further, the 10 comes in Frost (light blue), Indigo (deep blue), Lemongrass (light green), or Obsidian (black). The Pro models come in Jade (light green), Moonstone (grayish), Obsidian (black), or Porcelain (white).
Otherwise, most of what you see is the same between them. They all have aluminum frames with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for durability. Each phone meets the IP68 rating for protection from dust and water. And each has a large raised camera bar on the rear panel.
You’ll find USB-C ports, speaker grilles, and microphones on the bottom edges, power buttons and volume toggles on the right edges, and nothing along the top or left edges. There are no 3.5mm headphone jacks, and, notably, there are no physical SIM card trays. Google has followed Apple’s path and removed the SIM card tray from the US models of the Pixel 10 series, going all-in on eSIM. Google says it did this because 70% of US Pixel owners were already using eSIM. It also says it used the space for the SIM card to incorporate mmWave 5G into the US phones, which global models do not need.
Winner: Tie (all three)
Displays: More Nits
The Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro have 6.3-inch screens.
The 10’s display has 2,424 by 1,080 pixels at 422ppi (pixels per inch), a 60Hz to 120Hz refresh rate, 2,000 to 3,000 nits in brightness (HDR/peak), 24-bit color, and a 2-million-to-1 contrast ratio. The 10 Pro screen has 2,856 by 1,280 pixels at 495ppi, a 1Hz to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 2,200 to 3,300 nits of brightness (HDR/peak), and the same color and contrast.
Left to right: Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
The Pro XL’s screen measures 6.8 inches, has 2,992 by 1,344 pixels at 486ppi, and the same refresh rate, brightness, color, and contrast as the smaller Pro.
Google calls them all Super Actua displays. Only the two Pro models use LTPO technology for their expanded refresh rates.
Winner: Pixel 10 Pro XL
Google Tensor G5: A Brand-New Engine
All three new Pixels share the Google-designed, TSMC-manufactured Tensor G5 processor. Google says this chip is a big deal. It has an all-new architecture, and the company claims it produces a 34% gain in speed and efficiency compared with last year’s G4. The chip also has a new ISP, DSP, GPU, and TPU, all of which play a role in how it handles photos, gaming, and AI calculations. Google says Pixel 10 phones will all be able to handle more on-device AI than ever.
Left to right: Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
So what’s different? Google didn’t say that all three Pixel phones are getting the same version of the chip. The Tensor G5 for the Pixel 10 could have slower clock speeds, for instance, compared with the G5 in the Pro models. We will have a better idea once the phones ship and the individual components are rated by reviewers and testers.
We do know, however, that the Pixel 10 has less RAM: 12GB instead of the Pro models’ 16GB. This will likely play at least a small role in the Pixel 10’s performance when it comes to certain tasks.
Winner: Too soon to know
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Battery: More Power for More Hours
Google gave all three phones a bigger battery compared with the Pixel 9 phones. More importantly, it says that the bigger batteries combined with the Tensor G5 should result in 25% more battery life. That’s a big improvement.
Left to right: Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Last year, Google said the Pixel 9 phones would each last 24 hours per charge. This year, it says the Pixel 10 devices should each last 30 hours per charge. Naturally, we’ll test that claim when we review the phones. Even if they don’t run the full 30 hours, any increase would be welcome. Google’s Pixel phones typically perform worse than the competition when it comes to longevity.
The Pixel 10 has a 4,970mAh battery, the Pixel 10 Pro has a 4,870mAh battery, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL has a 5,200mAh battery. The first two can charge at 30W via wire and 15W via Qi 2 wireless chargers. The 10 Pro XL can charge faster at 45W wired and 25W wirelessly.
All three new phones support Pixelsnap, the new line of Qi2 magnetic accessories. The Qi2 is sort of like the iPhone’s MagSafe technology, but on Android devices. The Pixelsnap chargers, cases, and more snap right on and hold tight.
Given its faster charging, we’re giving the Pixel 10 Pro XL the edge here.
Winner: Pixel 10 Pro XL
Cameras: More Equity Across the Line
The biggest change here is that Google added a telephoto camera to the entry-level Pixel 10 for the first time. This gives all three phones wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto shooters and means every Pixel 10 owner should get about the same experience. Here’s what you get.
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Pixel 10 series camera modules (Credit: Eric Zeman)
The Pixel 10 has a 48MP main camera, a 13MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10.8MP telephoto camera. The telephoto supports up to 5x optical zoom. It also has a 10.5MP selfie camera.
The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL have a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultra-wide camera, and a 48MP telephoto camera. The telephoto supports 5x optical zoom. The 10 Pro phones also share a 42MP selfie camera.
Not all the zooms are equal. The Pixel 10 supports 20x Super Res Zoom, while the 10 Pro and Pro XL support 100x Super Res Zoom. This is Google’s hybrid, AI-assisted zoom tech that blends optical and digital zoom with extensive processing to deliver sharper final results.
The Pro models have more video power, too. Where the Pixel 10 is limited to 4K60 video capture, the Pro models can record up to 8K30. They also have more AI-assisted modes, like Video Boost and Night Sight Video.
Winner: Tie (Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL)
Odds and Ends: Give and Take
All three phones ship with Android 16 and the latest Gemini Nano. They’ll also all get seven years of feature and security updates. Further, each has the same AI-assisted tools, like Magic Cue and Camera Coach, available. In other words, the software experience should be identical.
Left to right: Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 (Credit: Eric Zeman)
The phones mostly have the same radio specs. They all have Bluetooth 6.0, dual-band GPS, NFC, and sub-6GHz, C-band, and mmWave 5G. The 10 has Wi-Fi 6E, though, where the Pro models have Wi-Fi 7.
All the phones have stereo speakers and under-display fingerprint readers, but the Pros are the only ones to include a thermometer.
Winner: Tie (all three)
Which Pixel 10 Is Best for You?
Now that you’ve read all the nitty-gritty details, are you ready to decide? Here are a few last-minute pointers:
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If you want to save money, the Pixel 10 gives you almost the full Pixel experience for $200 less than the Pro.
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If you need the most zoom and sharpest video, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL are the right selections.
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If size is an issue, the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro are smaller than the Pro XL.
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Need the biggest screen? The Pixel 10 Pro XL gives you an extra half-inch of viewing space.
The Pixel 10 devices are all available for preorder now and go on sale on August 28. Be sure to check back soon for our full reviews and definitive buying advice.
