Pixel 10

A Practical Phone for Real Life

Honestly, the Pixel 10 is the kind of phone that just works for busy people. You're not getting cutting-edge performance or a battery that lasts forever, but you're getting a phone that takes beautiful photos, has a bright screen you can actually see, and doesn't cost a fortune.

What's great about the camera is that reviewers consistently say it rivals the Pro models. The 50MP main sensor captures stunning detail with natural colors, and the new dedicated 5x telephoto lens means you can zoom in on the kids at soccer without losing quality. That's the kind of feature that actually matters when you're juggling family photos, school events, and trying to capture those quick moments. The only hiccup is the ultrawide camera loses detail in low light, but for daytime shots, it's solid.

The display is genuinely impressive. At 3000 nits peak brightness, you can actually see what's on the screen when you're outside at pickup or the park instead of squinting. The OLED colors pop and the variable refresh rate keeps everything feeling smooth when you're scrolling through Instagram or checking emails.

Now, the battery life is where things get real. Reviewers tested it at about 12 hours and 40 minutes of video streaming at full brightness, which sounds fine until you're actually using it like a normal person. If you're bouncing between texts, snapping photos, and checking apps all day, you'll probably hit the evening needing a charge. It's not a disaster, but it's not the all-day powerhouse you'd hope for at this price. You'll want to grab a Qi2 charger since wireless charging is convenient when you're busy.

The design feels premium and refined, easier to hold than previous versions. The only annoyance is the glossy back that fingerprints immediately, but that's a small complaint. Google's AI features are actually useful without being pushy, which is refreshing.

Performance is adequate for everyday use. Apps open quickly and scrolling is smooth. Gaming and heavy multitasking might feel sluggish, but for texting, photos, and streaming, it handles everything fine.

At $599 (sometimes $579 at Walmart), this is genuinely good value. You're paying the same as an iPhone 16 or Galaxy S25, but getting a phone with excellent cameras and Google's AI tools baked in. It's not perfect, but it's a solid choice for anyone who wants a good phone without the Pro-model price tag.

The Pixel 10 is a Camera Phone Trapped in a Compromised Package

Google's positioning the Pixel 10 as the "just right" Android phone, and that's exactly what it is: competent without excelling at anything except the camera. At $599, you're paying mainstream flagship money for a phone that makes real compromises on the fundamentals.

Let's start with performance. The Tensor G3 posts Geekbench scores of 2350 single-core and 6401 multi-core. That's not bad, but it's not competitive. Gaming performance lags noticeably, and reviewers consistently flag the processor as a weakness. For a phone at this price, competing directly with the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25, this is unacceptable. You're getting midrange performance in a flagship package.

The display is genuinely excellent. 3000 nits peak brightness, variable 120Hz refresh, OLED color accuracy. It's one of the few areas where Google didn't compromise, and it shows. But a great screen doesn't fix a slow processor.

The camera is where the Pixel 10 earns its positioning. The 48MP main sensor with f/1.70 aperture produces excellent daylight photos with accurate colors and strong detail preservation. The 10.8MP telephoto with 5x zoom is solid. The ultrawide loses detail in low light, which is a known weakness, but overall the camera system beats the iPhone 16. This is legitimately impressive hardware. The problem: it's not enough to justify the entire phone's existence.

Battery life is adequate and disappointing in equal measure. 12 hours and 40 minutes in video streaming tests. That's not bad, but it's not good for a 4600 mAh battery at this price. The improvement over the Pixel 9 is minimal. You're charging daily, and the 30W wired charging speed is standard, not exceptional.

Here's the business reality: Google is asking you to pay $599 for a phone with midrange performance, adequate battery life, and an excellent camera. The AI features are useful, but they're software. Software can be replicated. The hardware gaps can't. The Galaxy S25 outperforms it in benchmarks and battery life. The iPhone 16 costs the same and offers better all-around execution.

The glossy rear panel is a fingerprint magnet. The lack of expandable storage is frustrating. The connectivity features are a downgrade from the Pixel 9. These aren't minor quibbles. They're signs of cost-cutting.

The Pixel 10 is a camera phone first, everything else second. If you primarily care about taking great photos and using Google's AI tools, it's worth considering. But if you want a well-rounded flagship, the compromises are too significant to ignore at this price point.