Quick take
The Google Pixel 10 Pro arrives with a surprising mix: AI features that genuinely simplify daily tasks, a display that’s among the best in class, and camera performance that can rival the very best. Yet it’s not without a major flaw. For a phone that aims to be the complete package, the Pixel 10 Pro stumbles on performance consistency and battery life, making it a strong recommendation in some respects and a caution in others.
Overall, the Pixel 10 Pro feels like a refined evolution of Google’s hardware philosophy, pairing thoughtful software with high-end hardware. It outshines its base Pixel 10 and stands as a serious alternative to the flagship iPhones and Samsung’s premium models—if you can live with the occasional battery drain and occasional lag when pushing the camera features to the limit.
Design and display
Design-wise, the Pixel 10 Pro is remarkably close to the Pixel 10, but with a few refinements that make it feel more premium in the hand. The chassis exudes solidity and simplicity, with clean lines and restrained hardware controls. The material choices and machining lines contribute to a confident, premium feel, and the device remains comfortable for all-day use.
The display is a standout. Google’s Super Actua panel is bright and color-accurate, delivering crisp details even in bright daylight. In lab tests, the Pixel 10 Pro reached impressive peak brightness levels, reliably rendering images and UI elements with punchy contrast. While the larger Pixel 10 Pro XL offers even more screen real estate, the standard Pro panel remains an excellent option for most users who value sharpness and color fidelity.
Cameras and imaging
Camera performance is where the Pixel 10 Pro shines. It holds up exceptionally well against top rivals, delivering vibrant colors, strong detail, and impressive performance in low light. In head-to-head shots with a recent iPhone, the Pixel often produced images with deeper reds and more defined textures, especially in challenging lighting. The telephoto lens provides a solid 5x optical zoom with AI-assisted extensions, and when you push to higher resolutions, the results remain clean with manageable noise levels.
New AI camera features, like Camera Coach, analyze scenes and offer constructive tips for composition. There’s also a refined editing workflow in Google Photos, where natural language prompts can describe edits you want, such as “remove the person in the background” or “make the sky more dramatic.” In testing, most adjustments landed in the expected direction, though perfection still depends on user input and familiarity with editing tools.
Software and AI features
The Pixel 10 Pro is powered by Google’s Tensor G5, which brings more capable image processing and smarter on-device AI. The software experience remains exceptionally polished, with a clean, responsive interface and thoughtful AI-driven enhancements that feel useful rather than gimmicky. Magic Cue is the headline AI feature set, offering actionable suggestions drawn from various Google apps and data. The key design goal is “background intelligence” that helps you get things done without constantly interrupting your flow.
Magic Cue runs primarily on-device to preserve privacy and reduce power draw, which is reassuring for users wary of cloud-only processing. It surfaces context-aware options when you need them, such as retrieving a restaurant reservation or contact details, with a simple tap. The feature works well in routine situations, though not all promised tasks over the testing period paid off perfectly—some reservations or history queries missed the mark. Still, the concept—quietly assisting without becoming intrusive—feels like the future of phone AI.
Pixel Snap and ecosystem compatibility
Another practical innovation is Pixel Snap, Google’s magnetic accessory approach. The ecosystem-friendly magnet system makes it easy to attach and detach chargers and accessories without fiddling with ports. In practice, the system played nicely with third-party MagSafe accessories and other magnetic chargers, which is a welcome convenience for users juggling multiple devices and ecosystems.
Performance and battery life
Performance is a mixed bag. While navigating the interface is generally smooth, the Tensor G5 can feel sluggish in peak camera modes and when using several AI features concurrently. In benchmarks and real-world use, you’ll notice occasional pauses, especially when capturing high-resolution photos or enabling advanced video features. In some tests, the Pixel 10 Pro lagged behind expectations compared with rival flagships in the same price bracket.
Battery life is another sore point. On typical days, the Pixel 10 Pro lasts a full day, but when you’re filming lots of video or engaging in demanding tasks, you’ll likely need to top up before bedtime. Magnetic charging helps a lot, and the Pixel Snap ecosystem makes charging more versatile across home setups, but it doesn’t fully compensate for the battery efficiency shortfall compared with some Snapdragon-powered rivals.
Price, availability and verdict
The Pixel 10 Pro starts at 13,890 NOK for 128 GB and 16 GB of RAM. Storage can be expanded up to 1 TB, though only in the Obsidian color, and 256 GB is a sensible minimum if you shoot a lot of photos and videos. The model sits at a price point competitive with premium Android and iPhone offerings, making it an attractive option for Android enthusiasts who value camera quality and AI features as daily aids rather than gimmicks.
Compared to the Pixel 10 Pro XL, the standard Pro model is a balanced choice, offering a refined experience with excellent display clarity and top-tier camera performance. The decision between Pro and Pro XL comes down to screen size preferences and budget, but both are strong contenders in today’s high-end phone market.
Bottom line
The Google Pixel 10 Pro is a refined, capable flagship with some of the year’s best camera performance and a set of AI features that genuinely improve daily tasks without being overbearing. Its standout display and thoughtful software design elevate the user experience. However, the battery life and occasional performance hiccups temper its overall appeal. If you prize camera quality and AI-assisted workflows, the Pixel 10 Pro is worth consideration; if battery endurance is non-negotiable, you may want to wait for a potential firmware or hardware refresh or explore alternatives.
