Explore our in-depth review of the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. We cover its new Tensor G5 chip, stunning Super Actua display, revamped camera system with AI features, and all the key specs that make it a top contender in the smartphone market.
Google’s journey in the smartphone market has been a fascinating one, a steady climb from a developer-focused device to a true flagship competitor. With the launch of the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, the company is not just releasing a new phone; it’s making a definitive statement about the future of mobile technology.
The “XL” variant has always been for the power user, the one who demands the biggest screen, the best battery, and all the bells and whistles. The Pixel 10 Pro XL promises to deliver on that promise, all while showcasing a new level of on-device AI integration powered by its new Tensor G5 chipset. After a few weeks of use, here is our comprehensive review of what makes this phone a top-tier contender.
Design and Display: A Familiar, Refined Experience
At first glance, the Pixel 10 Pro XL retains the iconic design language of its predecessors. The two-tone back and the distinctive horizontal camera bar are still present, but with subtle refinements. The matte back and glossy side rails give the phone a luxurious feel, while the build quality is as robust as ever, with an IP68 dust and water resistance rating. The device feels substantial in hand, a nod to its premium status.
The display, however, is where the Pixel 10 Pro XL truly shines. Google has equipped the phone with a magnificent 6.8-inch LTPO OLED Super Actua display. It boasts a QHD+ resolution, a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and a staggering peak brightness of 3,000 nits. This makes the screen incredibly vibrant, with deep blacks and vivid colours, and it remains perfectly readable even in direct sunlight.
Whether you’re streaming 8K video, playing graphics-intensive games, or simply browsing the web, the display is an absolute pleasure to look at. The inclusion of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides peace of mind against scratches and drops.
Performance: The Power of Tensor G5
The heart of the Pixel 10 Pro XL is the new Google Tensor G5 chipset. This is a significant leap for the Pixel lineup, as it’s the first Tensor chip to be manufactured on a 3nm process by TSMC, a move that promises enhanced performance and, more importantly, better power efficiency. The Tensor G5, paired with a substantial 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, makes the Pixel 10 Pro XL a powerhouse.
Day-to-day performance is snappy and responsive, with seamless multitasking and effortless handling of even the most demanding applications. Gaming is a delight, with the GPU handling high-fidelity graphics without a hitch. The real magic, however, lies in its AI capabilities. The Tensor G5 is built from the ground up to handle Google’s advanced on-device machine learning models, enabling a new suite of AI features that are deeply integrated into the Android 16 operating system. From real-time language translation to advanced photo editing, the phone’s AI feels less like a gimmick and more like an essential part of the user experience.
The Camera: Where AI Meets Photography
The Pixel camera has always been its defining feature, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL takes it to the next level. The triple-camera system on the back consists of a 50MP main lens, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 48MP periscope telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom. While the hardware itself is a continuation of the previous generation, it’s the software and AI that make the difference.
New AI-powered camera features, such as “Camera Coach” and “Conversational Photo Editing,” leverage the Tensor G5’s capabilities. Camera Coach provides real-time tips and suggestions to improve your shots, while Conversational Photo Editing allows you to make complex edits to your photos using simple voice or text prompts. Want to “brighten the background” or “remove that object in the corner”? The phone’s Gemini AI assistant can now do that with remarkable precision. The low-light performance is phenomenal, and the telephoto lens offers stunning detail even at high zoom levels. Video recording is also top-notch, with support for 8K video and improved stabilization.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life has been a point of contention for some past Pixel models, but the Pixel 10 Pro XL aims to put those concerns to rest. It packs a massive 5,200mAh battery, a notable increase over its predecessor. In our testing, the phone easily lasted a full day of heavy use, often with plenty of charge left over. With lighter use, it’s not unreasonable to expect well over 24 hours of battery life.
Google has also finally made a significant improvement in charging speeds. The phone now supports 39W wired fast charging, getting you to a substantial charge in a much shorter time. It also supports 15W Qi2 wireless charging, a standard that finally brings magnetic alignment to the Pixel lineup. While it still lags behind some competitors in raw charging speed, it’s a welcome and much-needed upgrade.
Pros and Cons: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
| Pros | Cons |
| Exceptional AI Integration: The new Tensor G5 chip powers a suite of on-device AI features, from advanced photo editing to real-time translation, making the user experience seamless and intuitive. | Incremental Design: While refined, the design language is very similar to past Pixel models, lacking a fresh or innovative look. |
| Super Actua Display: The 6.8-inch LTPO OLED screen is a standout feature, with a stunning 3,000 nits peak brightness and a QHD+ resolution, making it one of the best displays on the market for both indoor and outdoor viewing. | Charging Speeds Still Lag: While improved, the 39W wired charging is not as fast as competitors, which often offer 80W or 100W+ charging. |
| All-Day Battery Life: The massive 5,200mAh battery provides excellent endurance, easily lasting a full day of heavy use. | Price Point: The “XL” model commands a premium price, and some may find the incremental upgrades from the previous generation don’t justify the cost. |
| AI-Enhanced Camera System: The combination of a powerful triple-camera setup and Google’s computational photography, now supercharged by the Tensor G5, produces phenomenal photos and videos in all lighting conditions. | Bulky Size: The large form factor of the XL variant may be a con for users who prefer smaller, more manageable phones. |
| Clean Android Experience: As a Google phone, it offers a pure, bloatware-free Android 16 experience with prompt software and security updates. | No Headphone Jack or Expandable Storage: A common con for modern flagships, but still a factor for some users who prefer physical audio connections or the ability to add a microSD card. |
The Ultimate Pixel Experience
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is more than just an incremental upgrade. It’s a phone that feels cohesive, with a powerful new chipset at its core that truly unlocks the potential of on-device AI. The combination of a breathtaking display, a versatile and intelligent camera system, and all-day battery life makes it an incredibly compelling device.
While the design remains familiar, the changes under the hood are significant enough to make this a flagship to be reckoned with. For those who want the best of Google‘s software, camera, and AI in a large and powerful package, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is the phone you’ve been waiting for.
