The Google Pixel 10 arrives at a milestone moment for the Pixel lineup as it marks the 10th anniversary of the series. Priced at Rs 79,999 in India, this device aims to stand tall as a compact flagship that blends Google’s latest AI smarts with a refreshed camera system and an improved battery. Yet beneath the polished design and clever features, the Pixel 10 reveals some cracks that keep it from being the perfect smartphone experience.
Premium Design With Familiar Looks
The Pixel 10 continues Google’s iconic camera bar design with a slightly taller module to accommodate a telephoto sensor. It features a satin finished metal frame paired with a glossy glass back, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both sides. The design looks and feels premium, but it does not reinvent itself from the Pixel 9.
The device weighs 204 grams and measures 8.6mm thick, making it slightly heavier for its compact size. Still, it remains comfortable for one handed use, and the IP68 rating offers peace of mind for durability. The display is a 6.3 inch Actua OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate and 3000 nits of peak brightness. It is bright, responsive, and ideal for streaming and daily use, though the lack of LTPO limits adaptive refresh control.
Performance Held Back by Heating Issues
Under the hood, the Pixel 10 is powered by the Google Tensor G5 chip built on a 3nm process with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. Everyday tasks feel snappy, and the new Material 3 Expressive UI makes Android 16 smooth and visually pleasing. The phone is backed by an industry leading promise of seven years of software updates and security patches.
However, the Pixel 10 struggles with performance under heavy loads. Casual multitasking is handled well, but when gaming or pushing demanding apps for long periods, the phone gets uncomfortably hot. Titles like Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact start out fine but throttle performance after about 20 minutes. This is where rivals like the OnePlus 13s and Galaxy S25 show clear superiority.
AI Features That Stand Out
Google’s AI is the true star of the Pixel 10. Features like Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, and Best Take return stronger than ever. New additions like Magic Cue suggest helpful actions based on Gmail data, and Camera Coach guides users on how to frame shots better. Voice Translate and Audio Magic Eraser add to the list of practical and polished tools that make everyday use more convenient.
The AI integration feels natural rather than forced, giving users freedom to opt in when they need assistance. For fans of smart features that actually save time, the Pixel 10 shines in this department.
Camera Gains and Losses
The Pixel 10 finally introduces a 5x telephoto sensor, a welcome upgrade over the Pixel 9. On paper, the setup includes a 48 megapixel main camera, a 13 megapixel ultra wide, and a 10.8 megapixel telephoto lens, with a 10.5 megapixel selfie shooter.
Daylight shots from the primary camera are sharp with excellent dynamic range. Close up shots have improved noticeably. However, the smaller main sensor compared to the Pixel 9 feels like a downgrade, and the ultra wide lens lacks the same crispness. The telephoto camera performs decently in bright conditions but falters in low light, where noise creeps in despite Night Sight improvements.
Selfies remain consistent with last year’s results, solid for social sharing but not groundbreaking. Video quality at 4K 60fps is good, but still falls short of the iPhone in creator level consistency.
Battery and Charging
The Pixel 10 comes with a 4970mAh battery, slightly larger than the Pixel 9. In real world use, it delivers around a day of life with 4 to 5 hours of screen time. It supports 30W wired charging and 15W wireless charging with the new Qi2 standard. Charging times are slower compared to rivals, taking close to 100 minutes for a full charge.
Battery life is adequate but not standout. It is enough for most users but not built for power users who demand all day gaming or content creation.
Verdict Should You Buy the Pixel 10
The Google Pixel 10 is a refined and thoughtful device, but it is not flawless. Its AI features are ahead of the curve and make the phone feel futuristic. The design is polished, and the new telephoto sensor adds welcome versatility. But performance throttling, camera downgrades, and average battery life mean it falls short of being a truly exceptional flagship.
If you are upgrading from an older Pixel, the Pixel 10 is a solid choice. But for Pixel 9 owners, the improvements are not enough to justify the leap. For first time buyers, it might be worth stretching the budget to the Pixel 10 Pro, which avoids some of these compromises.
The Pixel 10 is a phone you will love for its AI brilliance and compact form, but you may also find yourself wishing Google had pushed harder on performance and camera consistency.
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