Google Pixel 10 Pro XL review: Google’s biggest phone gets smarter in 2025
The Pixel 10 Pro XL is Google's most powerful flagship yet, boasting a huge 6.8-inch display, upgraded Tensor G5 performance, AI-driven photography, and long battery life. Picture: Google.
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is Google’s most ambitious phone to date. With its massive display, beefy new Tensor G5 chipset, and AI-heavy features, it’s meant to be the ultimate Pixel. But does it deliver in daily life?
The design hasn’t strayed too far from the Pixel 9 Pro XL. I’ve always appreciated the Pixel’s camera bar, not least because it sits flat on a tabletop without wobbling. It remains distinctive without being flashy, and this year Google has trimmed it slightly so that it blends more seamlessly into the frame. In hand, the 10 Pro XL feels undeniably premium and just as substantial as before.
At 232g, it’s on the heavy side. Personally, I’m okay with that, as I prefer a phone that feels substantial. However, if you’re accustomed to lighter devices, it’ll take some getting used to. The edges are now more rounded, making the new 10 Pro XL more comfortable to hold.
The new colour options are subtle rather than bold. The Obsidian Black model Google sent me for this review is a safe choice, but if you’re after something with a bit more flair, the Jade Green offers a more stylish option.
While there isn’t much to distinguish the 10 Pro XL from last year’s model at first glance, a closer look reveals some visual clues that point to substantial internal changes. The SIM tray has been moved to the top edge instead of the bottom, making space for two larger speaker grilles on the bottom edge. This adjustment brings a noticeable improvement in sound quality, particularly in clarity and bass response.
The 6.8-inch Super Actua screen is hands-down the best Pixel display so far. It is massive, bright, and ridiculously smooth with a refresh rate that automatically adjusts between 1 and 120Hz. Outdoor visibility is excellent, and I had no problem reading it on sunny days.
Watching HDR video on Netflix or YouTube is a treat, with excellent contrast and deep blacks. The smooth animations of Material 3 Expressive, which is Google’s new UI layer with springy transitions, also make the phone feel more alive and polished.
The Pixel’s camera magic is still very much here, now with a few new tricks. The rear cameras comprise a 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide (123° FOV with macro focus) and a
48MP telephoto with a 100x Pro Res zoom.
The 5x telephoto lens is sharp, providing Google’s setup with a great zoom option. Pro Zoom extends all the way to 100x, which sounds impressive, but anything beyond 30x becomes hit or miss. AI steps in when you zoom in greater than 30X to interpret the missing details, often inventing features where the image is really just chunky pixels and compression artefacts. The result is undeniably striking, but it feels more surreal than authentic, a showcase of what AI can do rather than a faithful reproduction of reality. That said, Google’s AI is among the best I’ve used for photography. As long as you keep expectations realistic and don’t push the zoom too far, both the experience and the final results remain impressive.
Day-to-day shots are fantastic, producing crisp, balanced images with that trademark Pixel contrast. Low-light photos are cleaner this year, which I noticed when snapping city shots after dark. I also like Google’s treatment of noise, which looks clean yet realistic, unlike some brands that rely too heavily on noise reduction. Portraits benefit too, appearing more natural and less “cut out” than on older models.
The 42MP front camera features autofocus and an ultra-wide field of view, making group selfies and video calls look sharper and more natural.
If I’m being picky, Samsung still beats Google when it comes to giving creators manual video controls. I’d love to tweak more settings myself rather than trusting the software all the time. But for 99% of people, the Pixel 10 Pro XL will make you feel like a pro photographer without the effort.
You also get several new AI features, including Camera Coach. Think of this as a built-in photography tutor. It analyses your scene in real time, suggesting better framing, lighting tips, and capture modes. There’s even an “Inspire Me” mode that generates AI mock-ups of shots you could try. It won’t suit everyone, but for those who want to improve their photography skills at their own pace, without someone peering over their shoulder, it’s a handy tool.
In Google Photos, you can now just tell the app what you want fixed. Say “erase the plastic bag” or “brighten the sky,” and the AI does it instantly, showing the before-and-after side by side.
In group shots, the Pixel 10 automatically picks the best faces from up to 150 frames and merges them, so everyone looks their best.
The new Tensor G5 chip represents a substantial leap in performance over the Pixel 9, and Google has finally upgraded the Pro models to 256GB of storage as standard, along with 16GB of RAM.
In my real-world use, apps load instantly, multitasking is seamless, and even games ran well in my testing. The phone feels every bit as fast as any other flagship out there. However, raw power isn’t on par with other flagships, and this isn’t the best device for those into graphically intensive games, nor does it support more advanced graphical features such as ray tracing.
Where it does excel is in AI. You get a host of AI features, including Google’s new Magic Cue, exclusive to the Pixel 10 series, which is like a smart assistant that pops up with useful info right when you need it. It can suggest replies in Gmail, remind you of upcoming Calendar events, or pull up photos related to a conversation, all without you having to search. The clever part is that it runs entirely on the phone using Google’s Gemini Nano AI, so your data stays private and never leaves your device. Currently, it works with Google’s first-party apps, but if you’re not already using Gmail, Calendar, or Photos, you may not fully realise its potential. You can also control Magic Cue in the settings menu, choosing which apps it can access. So if you’d rather keep apps like Keep or shopping apps private, you can switch them off.
Google promises everything is processed on-device with Gemini Nano, but the idea of my phone constantly scanning for context sometimes makes me uneasy. It’s a balance of convenience and trust, and I’m not sure everyone will be comfortable with it.
The 5200mAh battery is big enough to keep the XL running easily through a full day and then some. On light days, I got nearly two full days before hitting 20%. Heavy use with GPS, photos, and streaming still left me with enough to avoid mid-day charging.
Fast charging is solid: around 70% in half an hour with a 45W charger.
One of the best updates this year is the addition of Pixel Snap, essentially Google’s take on MagSafe compatibility for Pixel. The Pixel 10 Pro XL supports the Qi2.2 standard, enabling up to 25W wireless charging. I didn’t receive any Pixel Snap accessories with the review unit, but I already own plenty of MagSafe chargers and add-ons. Being able to use my existing car phone holder or MagSafe-compatible battery banks with the Pixel is a huge convenience boost.
I’ve always liked Google’s clean Android 16, and Material 3 Expressive makes it even smoother. The little animations give it character without slowing things down.
AI is everywhere, for better or worse. I found features like smart photo recall handy. “Show me cat photos” instantly pulled up shots I’d forgotten about. But sometimes I wished I could turn off the suggestions completely. Google clearly wants this phone to anticipate your needs, and while it mostly works, it can feel a bit intrusive if you’re not into AI running your life.
Google is promising seven years of OS and security updates for the Pixel 10 Pro XL, great news if you’re someone who prefers to hold onto a device for the long run.
The Pixel 10 Pro XL is a powerhouse with the best screen Google has ever made, cameras that continue to impress, and AI that saves time, though sometimes at the cost of privacy peace of mind. The 10 Pro XL size won’t suit everyone, but it’s a standout 2025 flagship.
€1,329 Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
