Google Pixel 10 Pro Review: Nails the Shot, Misses the Marathon
Google Pixel 10 Pro Specifications
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| OS | Android 16 |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G5, PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU |
| Memory / Storage | 16 GB RAM 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB storage options |
| Display | 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED, 1280×2856 (20:9) resolution, 495 PPI, 2 million:1 contrast ratio, 16 million colors, 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, 3,300 nits peak brightness. |
| Body / Dimensions / Weight | Glass front / back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2) with aluminum frame 152.8 × 72 × 8.5 mm, 207 g |
| Rear Cameras | 50 MP f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31″, 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 48 MP f/1.7, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55″, dual pixel PDAF 48 MP f/2.8, 113mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55″, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom (AI-enhanced zoom up to 100×) |
| Front Camera | 42 MP f/2.2 selfie camera, PDAF |
| Battery & Charging | 4,870 mAh Li-Ion battery 30W fast charging 15W Qi2 wireless charging (magnetic) Supports reverse wired and bypass charging |
| Connectivity & Others | USB 3.2 Type-C Wi-Fi 7 (Tri-band) Bluetooth NFC UWB Under-display fingerprint sensor (ultrasonic) Dual-SIM (nano + eSIM) Thermometer (skin temperature, limited accuracy) |
| Colours | Obsidian, Porcelain, Jade, Moonstone |
Unboxing
Benchmarks
If you’re wondering why a lot of people are complaining about the Tensor G5 chip, this would be a good thing to start with. The Google Pixel 10 Pro had a score of 1.5 million in Antutu v11, which sounds like a lot but it’s actually around the same level as midrange smartphones like the vivo X200 FE, OnePlus Nord 5, and HONOR 200 Pro. Flagship devices powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite like the Xiaomi 15 series and vivo X200 Ultra easily beats the Tensor G5 by roughly twofold.
If you’re thinking that the GPU performance is what’s holding the Tensor G5 back, then I have some bad news. In Geekbench 6, the Google Pixel 10 Pro scored 2,328 and 6,359 in single and multi core portions respectively. On average, a Snapdragon 8 Elite device scores roughly 3,000 and 9,200 in single and multi core respectively. This once again shows that the Tensor G5 chip is on the level of a typical modern day midranger.
Camera
The Pixel 10 Pro’s cameras remain some of the best available on any smartphone. With a 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, the camera system delivers stunning results in nearly all conditions. In particular, low-light photography is a strong suit, with the Pixel 10 Pro producing clearer, sharper, and more color-accurate photos than the competition.
The camera also benefits from advanced AI-driven features like Camera Coach, which provides on-the-fly tips to help you improve your photos, and AI-enhanced editing in Google Photos, where you can request specific edits using natural language.
While the Pixel 10 Pro’s zoom capabilities are impressive, keep in mind that past 30x, it’s mostly dependent on AI to get a good shot. This means that if you try to capture some fine details like words, it might look like a completely new language altogether.
Pros
Excellently Designed, Feels Great on Hand
Google has polished the Pixel 10 Pro’s design to near-premium ideal. The fit and finish feel more precise than ever, with cleaner lines, better-aligned hardware elements, and a mature aesthetic that avoids the overdesigned feel of some competitors. The color options are subtle, professional, and sophisticated, with tones that add personality without sacrificing elegance. The build quality inspires confidence, and the phone feels both solid and thoughtfully engineered in your hand.
Great Display with Vibrant Colors
Google has always made great displays, and the Pixel 10 Pro continues that trend with a 6.3-inch Super Actua display. It’s one of the brightest screens available on any phone today, boasting an impressive peak brightness that outshines both Samsung and Apple at a blisteringly high 3,300 nits. Whether you’re watching videos outdoors in direct sunlight or scrolling through apps, the screen remains bright, clear, and crisp. You also get rich colors with deep contrasts that make content pop. The only thing that makes it a step below perfection is the lack of an anti-glare finish.
Magnets Aren’t New, But It’s A Wonderful Addition
The new Pixelsnap magnetic charging system is one of the Pixel 10 Pro’s most practical updates. Because it is compatible with existing MagSafe chargers and accessories, the phone instantly becomes easier to manage day-to-day. Snapping it onto a stand, battery pack, or car mount is effortless, and this convenience helps mitigate the phone’s unimpressive battery longevity. With magnetic chargers placed around your home or office, the phone naturally stays topped up without ever needing to think about cables or charging routines.
New AI tools Can Be Helpful When They Work, or Quiet At Worst
Google’s approach to AI on the Pixel 10 Pro is refreshingly restrained. It’s refined, responsive, and full of useful AI-driven tools that integrate smoothly into daily life. The new Magic Cue AI feature is a standout, offering contextual suggestions like pulling up a reservation or contact information based on your recent messages and calendar. It works quietly in the background and is generally helpful, saving time without intruding into your workflow.
This type of subtle, efficient AI is exactly what makes the Pixel 10 Pro’s software experience so polished. The integration of Google’s voice assistant, call screening, and real-time translation tools further strengthens the case for the Pixel 10 Pro as the go-to Android phone for productivity and seamless interaction with the Google ecosystem.
Cons
Performance Still Lags Behind Every Other Flagship
Despite the sleek design and feature-packed software, the Tensor G5 chip still trails behind the competition in terms of raw performance. While day-to-day tasks like browsing, app launching, and general navigation are fine, the Pixel 10 Pro struggles in areas that demand power, particularly in more intensive apps or when using the camera with higher resolutions.
When it comes to more demanding tasks, like gaming or video editing, the Pixel 10 Pro is not as snappy or responsive as smartphones powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite or Apple’s A17 Bionic. You’ll also notice a slight delay in the camera when taking high-res shots or when using certain advanced features. For users seeking the fastest, most powerful performance, the Tensor chip is simply not up to par with the industry’s best.
Battery Life Also Suffers From the Tensor Chip
Google claims improvements, but the Tensor G5 chip’s power inefficiency holds the phone back in terms of longevity. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Plus lasts significantly longer, and even their highly criticized S25 Edge that comes with a smaller battery capacity to keep it thin can outlast the Google Pixel 10 Pro by almost 2 hours in PCMark’s Work 3.0 endurance test.
When I first started using it, I genuinely believed that the battery life is good but as it turns out, that only applies to light use cases. The chip’s inefficiency causes the battery to drain significantly on heavier tasks like recording videos or playing mobile games. If you don’t use it much or at least stick to light usage, it can last longer than most Snapdragon devices out there. However, if you’re limiting your usage just for the sake of making sure it lasts a whole day, then what’s the point?
For added peace of mind, you might want to consider carrying a power bank around with you, ideally with MagSafe / Qi2 support for convenience.
Not All of the AI Features Work As Intended
While some of Google’s AI tools are impressive, others feel experimental or incomplete. Magic Cue, for instance, sometimes fails to detect emails or reservations that should be simple to recognize, likely because it only searches recent data rather than your full history. In fact, it just doesn’t work at times as it gets stuck asking me to sign in to my account despite that already being done from the start.
AI editing in Google Photos can also yield inconsistent results, occasionally producing awkward changes or simply taking too long to process basic adjustments. These shortcomings don’t ruin the overall experience, especially since a software update can solve a lot of the issues, but they do undercut Google’s promises of seamless, dependable AI assistance.
The Temperature Sensor is Pointless
One of the most baffling and outdated features on the Pixel 10 Pro is the temperature sensor. Meant to measure things like the heat of a surface, it’s inaccurate and entirely unnecessary. During testing, the sensor consistently gave incorrect readings compared to a cheap infrared thermometer.
While it’s one of those quirks you can just ignore, it feels like a wasted piece of hardware that could have been better spent on something more functional, especially given the price of the phone. For those hoping to use this sensor for practical purposes, it’s a disappointing feature that adds little value to the overall experience.
Should You Buy the Google Pixel 10 Pro?
The Google Pixel 10 Pro offers a refined experience with its fantastic design, top-tier cameras, and impressive AI tools, making it a compelling choice for Android enthusiasts. It’s one of the best devices for those who value seamless integration with Google services, powerful photography, and a polished software experience.
However, if performance and battery life are your top priorities, or if you’re a serious gamer, the Pixel 10 Pro’s Tensor G5 chip and relatively underwhelming endurance would be a dealbreaker. I can’t call it a bad device because it’s not, but it’s definitely not meant for everyone. It feels like the opposite of what the ROG Phone or any other gaming phone would stand for so ultimately, it depends on your use case.
With prices starting at RM4,999 for the 128GB model, it would be a tough sell but once price cuts start to hit or if there’s a particular promotion going on, it might be worth considering then.
PriceShop Rating
Boleh lah...
✅ Excellent design and build
✅ Superb camera performance
✅ Display is one step away from perfection
✅ Pixelsnap is very convenient to have
❌ Tensor G5 is severely lacking in performance
❌ The chip also negatively affects battery life
❌ Some AI features don’t work as intended
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