Pixel 10 Series Breakdown: My Take

So they're out, the Pixel 10 series is officially out in the world. After all the speculation, we finally have the full picture, and honestly, it was a lot to take in. As we expected, Google dropped four new models at their 'Made by Google' event in New York City: the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, the larger Pixel 10 Pro XL, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

I’ve spent some time (probably too much time) digging through the specs, the new features, and the first impressions from reviewers. My take? This feels like the most significant leap forward for Pixel in years, of course the 9 series was what I considered to be the most significant leap in terms of design, this is an update to the feel of the phone.

The Biggest Upgrades: What's Actually New?

Google has made some fundamental changes that I think will make a huge difference in day-to-day use.

Tensor G5

After all these years of trolling Pixels phones for having mediocre/midrange chips, they've finally made first fully custom chip built by TSMC on a 3nm process, the Tensor G5. This isn't just about raw speed, it's about performance and efficiency and it's the foundation for a host of new AI features (definitely unexpected). The Pixel 10 is the first phone to run Google's Gemini Nano model fully on the device, which powers some cool new tricks:

• Magic Cue: The phone proactively gives you smart suggestions based on what's on your screen.
• Camera Coach: Uses AI to give you real-time tips for better photo composition.
• Conversational Editing: You can now edit photos just by telling your phone what to do with voice commands. Why though???

Pixelsnap

Forget the naming or the branding, but this is something we've all been constantly waiting for, MagSafe on Pixels, or as they call it, Pixelsnap. It uses the Qi2 wireless charging standard with magnets, so you can easily snap on chargers and other accessories. Like me and probably everyone else out there, MKBHD was particularly excited about this in his first impressions video, and I have to agree, it’s something we've all wanted for a long time.

The Base Pixel 10 is No Longer a Compromise

For me, this is one of the most important changes, I get the appeal for Pro models, but I think manufacturers often consider the base model of their series as an 'entry-level' flagship phone, when it should entirely be a flagship phone. So for the first time ever, the standard Pixel 10 model comes with a telephoto lens, offering 5x optical zoom. This was a long-awaited upgrade and makes the base model, which starts at $799, a much more compelling option for those looking to get a Pixel.

Specs

What the First Impressions Say

As usual, the big tech reviewers have their hands on the phones, and I had to watch 2 of my favorite creators before writing this, and their takes are... interesting.

Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) seems generally positive. He’s a big fan of Pixelsnap and the triple camera on the base model. He believes the real strength of the Pixel is its clever software, calling features like Magic Cues and Conversational Editing "incredibly convenient" and "kind of insane". While he knows the Tensor G5 might not top the charts, he found the phones felt "pretty smooth and snappy".

On the other hand, Mrwhosetheboss has more mixed feelings. While he called some of the new software "magical" and "innovative," his biggest complaint is that Google phones "never really feel finished". He found some features worked poorly and criticized Google for releasing things in "beta stages". His main concern is the performance, which he feels is "pretty lacking for what you're paying" and "still lags significantly behind competitors".

My take, I think they're both onto the same point. In my opinion, Pixels have never been the go-to options for the average user. I'd say they're the Linux of smartphones, a lot of people use them, but it's always the enthusiasts, people who are ready to tweak stuff and the people who understand that the phone isn't perfect but still use it anyway. On that analogy as well, Pixel users will always make sure you know they use a Pixel, kinda like Linux users...

The Other Stuff

Despite the upgrades, it wouldn't be a Pixel launch without a few drawbacks.

• Performance Questions: While the Tensor G5 is a huge improvement, the concern that it may not match the performance of the latest Snapdragon and Apple silicone chips is still there.
• Unpolished Software: Some reviewers have noted that parts of the software, like the camera app, can still feel laggy.
• Display Dimming: The OLED screens use PWM dimming, which can cause eye strain for some people. The Pro models have a "sensitive eyes" setting to help with this, but the base model does not.
• Base Storage: The starting storage of 128GB on the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro definitely feels insufficient, especially at a starting price of $799 and $999, respectively.

My Final Take

So, is the Pixel 10 series worth it? I think for a lot of people, the answer is yes. The biggest upgrade for me is the new Tensor G5 chip and the telephoto lens on the base model. Also for the first time ever, the base Pixel 10, is probably the best value in the lineup. However, you have to be willing to accept the classic Pixel trade-off, you’re getting a phone with incredible software smarts and camera versatility, but not the absolute best raw performance on the market.