Google has returned to the flagship arena with the Pixel 10 series, and this year feels different. The company is no longer just refining its formula, but actively challenging Apple and Samsung in the premium segment. In our earlier look at the Pixel 10, we saw how Google tightened its focus on AI integration and everyday usability. Now, with the Pixel 10 Pro XL, the gloves are off. This is the top-tier model in the lineup, designed to stand toe-to-toe with the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The question is whether Google has done enough with its design, display, performance, and especially its camera and AI features to truly claim a spot among the elite. Let’s find out.
Design
Even if it is big (XL), it does not feel big: this is the compliment the Pixel 10 Pro XL earns immediately. Google has managed to capture the XL essence while keeping everything compact and refined. At first glance, the phone carries forward Google’s now-familiar visor design, but the subtle curves and slimmer bezels make it feel sleeker than the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Jade variant I reviewed oozes a premium feel; the silky matte back with its frosted finish resists smudges well, while the polished spacecraft-grade aluminium frame gives the device a sturdy yet stylish character. The ergonomics strike a balance, heavy enough at 232 grams to feel substantial, but evenly distributed so it never feels unwieldy in the hand.
The refinement extends to the details. Ports and buttons remain minimalist, with only the power and volume buttons on the right side. Their placement is consistent with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, though some might still find the power button’s position above the volume rocker slightly unintuitive compared to Samsung or Apple’s layouts. The USB-C 3.2 port sits cleanly at the bottom, and the tactile feedback from the buttons feels sharp and premium. Turn to the front, and the nearly edge-to-edge Super Actua display stands out. Slimmer bezels compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL give it a modern flagship appeal, though Samsung’s S25 Ultra still edges ahead with slightly narrower frames.
Durability is a major selling point. With Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both front and back and IP68 dust and water resistance, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is built to withstand the daily grind. Google has also doubled down on sustainability, recycled cobalt in the battery, recycled rare earth elements in magnets, and even recycled tungsten in the haptic engine. It’s a commitment that goes beyond design aesthetics, giving the device a more responsible identity in a crowded premium market.
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Display
The Pixel 10 Pro XL comes with a 6.8-inch LTPO OLED panel, a continuation from the Pixel 9 Pro XL, but sharper and brighter. The Super Actua display offers a crisp resolution of 1,344 x 2,992 at 486 ppi, backed by an adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate that shifts seamlessly depending on use. Watching high-frame-rate videos or scrolling through social media feels fluid, while reading static content doesn’t unnecessarily drain battery thanks to LTPO efficiency.
The real upgrade lies in the brightness. Google pushes the limits this year with 2,200 nits HDR and 3,300 nits peak brightness: a bump from last year’s 3,000 nits. Outdoor readability is excellent, even under harsh sunlight. Compared with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, the Pixel still falls slightly behind Samsung’s industry-leading 3,500-nit panel, but the difference isn’t jarring in day-to-day use. For most users, the vibrant HDR colours, >2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and precise 24-bit depth make the Pixel 10 Pro XL one of the most enjoyable displays to consume content on. Whether it’s HDR movies on Netflix or gaming visuals, the screen consistently shines.
OS and AI
Launched with Android 16, the Pixel 10 Pro XL builds on Google’s vision of software and AI as the differentiator in the flagship market. Material 3 Expressive adds cleaner design touches, redesigned quick settings, and easier navigation across apps like Camera, Phone, and Photos. The always-on display now supports full wallpaper visuals, and Live Effects wallpapers add creative customisation. Compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the OS feels smoother, more polished, and far more in tune with Google’s AI ecosystem.
AI is everywhere. The Gemini suite, with Gemini Nano and Gemini Live, drives much of the experience. Gemini Live enables real-time, contextual conversations, while features like Pixel Journal and Magic Cue showcase on-device intelligence that tries to anticipate user needs. While Magic Cue isn’t always consistent, its ability to surface relevant information across apps hints at where Google is steering smartphone interactions. Compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the AI here feels more integrated, making the 10 Pro XL a true AI-first device.
Performance
At its core is the new Google Tensor G5, a leap from last year’s G4. Built on TSMC’s 3nm process, the G5 is more efficient and thermally stable than its predecessor, fixing the heat issues that plagued earlier Tensors. In my week-long usage, multitasking was buttery smooth, and app switching carried zero lag. Paired with 16 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, the phone is well-equipped for heavy workloads, from editing photos to managing multiple apps.
Synthetic benchmarks tell an interesting story. Geekbench scores sit at 2307 (single-core) and 6152 (multi-core), with a GPU score of 3028 and an AnTuTu score of 1504412. These are respectable numbers but still trail behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite powering the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Samsung leads in raw performance, but in real-world use, the Pixel 10 Pro XL doesn’t falter. Everyday tasks, multitasking, and productivity apps glide smoothly, highlighting Google’s optimization strengths.
Gaming performance is surprisingly solid. Titles like Genshin Impact and BGMI ran at high settings with stable frame rates. While sustained sessions do warm the device slightly, it never reached uncomfortable levels. One standout was during the AnTuTu stress test, the phone maintained consistent performance without heating up excessively, a notable improvement over the Pixel 9 Pro XL. For a device not marketed as a gaming phone, this was impressive.
Where Samsung’s S25 Ultra still leads is in raw GPU horsepower and sustained performance under extreme gaming loads, but for the majority of users, the Pixel 10 Pro XL offers smooth, reliable performance that makes benchmarks feel less relevant.
Camera
An absolute treat: the Pixel 10 Pro XL cements its reputation as a camera-first flagship. On paper, the triple camera setup mirrors the Pixel 9 Pro XL: a 50 MP wide sensor, 48 MP ultrawide with macro focus, and 48 MP 5x telephoto. But the magic lies in how Tensor G5 and Google’s AI elevate the experience. Pro Res Zoom now extends up to 100x, producing results that, while AI-assisted, remain sharper and more usable than before.
Pixel 10 Pro XL camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
Daylight shots are crisp, with balanced exposure and colours that lean natural. The ultrawide maintains detail and consistency with the primary sensor, while the telephoto delivers sharp images at its 5x optical range. The Galaxy S25 Ultra still edges ahead in versatility with its dual-telephoto setup, but Google’s AI enhancements help bridge the gap.
Pixel 10 Pro XL camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
Portraits are detailed and textured, especially with the new 50 MP High-Res Portrait mode. Edge detection is strong, and the background blur feels natural. The Pixel shines at night photography. Night Sight produces detailed, vibrant images that, in many cases, surpass what we’ve seen from most Android rivals, especially in sharpness. The S25 Ultra offers brighter low-light shots, but Google’s interpretation feels truer to life.
Pixel 10 Pro XL camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
Selfies, courtesy of the 42 MP front camera, are equally impressive. Autofocus ensures sharpness even in group selfies, and the 103° ultrawide field of view is perfect for fitting in more people or scenery. AI tools like Best Take and Face Unblur ensure fewer ruined shots, making the Pixel a reliable companion for photography enthusiasts.
Pixel 10 Pro XL camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
The overall takeaway? The Pixel 10 Pro XL doesn’t just take photos, it produces images that feel authentic and true to the scene, a balance between computational excellence and visual honesty.
Battery
With a 5,200 mAh cell, the Pixel 10 Pro XL packs the largest battery ever in a Pixel device. This is a modest bump over the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 5,060 mAh, but efficiency gains from the Tensor G5 make the difference tangible. In regular use, the phone comfortably lasted a day and a half, pushing close to 5 hours of screen-on time without battery anxiety. Extreme Battery Saver promises up to 100 hours, useful in travel or emergencies.
Charging gets a meaningful upgrade. With 45W wired charging and 25W wireless charging via the new Qi2 standard, the Pixel charges faster than its predecessor. It now takes around 75 minutes to fully charge, compared to over 90 minutes on the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The addition of Pixelsnap, Google’s MagSafe rival, is a thoughtful touch, though accessory support is still limited at launch.
Verdict
Priced at ₹1,24,999, the new Google Pixel 10 Pro XL stands strong on AI and software while doubling down on its camera-related strengths. It may not be a raw powerhouse like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but the Tensor G5 does its job smoothly, delivering a reliable experience free of throttling or overheating. The display is among the best, the design feels premium, and the cameras continue to impress, especially in night and AI-assisted photography.
For Pixel loyalists, this is the most refined version yet. For others, it represents a bold step into an AI-driven smartphone future: one that might not win benchmarks, but certainly wins trust.
