Pixel 10, 10 Pro and XL: Google's new smartphones with "Magsafe" and Android 16

Google has unveiled its triumvirate of Pixel 10, 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL. The new models may look like their predecessors, but they can do new tricks.

Google Pixel 10 Pro in the color Porcellain.

(Image: Google)

Aug 20, 2025 at 10:49 pm CEST

10 min. read

By

Andreas Floemer

Similar to last year, Google presented the Pixel 10 series in three variants as part of a "Made by Google" event. This year, the manufacturer has also managed to equip the devices with the latest Android version (16), which was missed last year. The smartphones also receive full Qi2 support, including extensive accessories, and three rear camera sensors for all models. However, there are differences between the basic and Pro models in terms of the sensors used.

Pixel 10 and 10 Pro: visually a Pixel 9

The design of the new Pixel generation is similar to that of the Pixel 9 series: the rear camera element with its rounded, full-width shape looks just like its predecessor. As with the Pixel 9, there are three variants: A base model, the Pixel 10, and two Pro versions, called the Google Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL. Similar to Apple's Pro iPhones, the two Pro models differ primarily in terms of their differently sized displays and batteries, as well as other details.

Google Pixel 10 in the color indigo on a man's ear — The Google Pixel 10 in the color Indigo.

(Image: Google)

The LTPO screens of the Pro models with 6.3 (1280 × 2856 pixels) and 6.8 inches (1344 × 2992 pixels) are brighter than the base model with 3000 at peak and 2000 cd/m2 (HDR) with up to 3300 cd/m2 at peak and 2200 cd/m2 in HDR mode, according to Google. Both Pro models also offer a dynamic refresh rate of one to 120 hertz. The Pixel 10's 6.3-inch OLED panel with a Full HD resolution of 1080 × 2424 pixels only varies between 60 and 120 hertz.

There are also differences in the finish and protection of the back and display: the Pro models have a matt back made of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and a polished frame. The Pixel 10 also has Victus 2 glass, but Google has given the model a polished back with a matte frame.

Pixelsnap: almost like MagSafe

The back also houses a magnetic ring, which was previously only found on Apple's iPhones and the HMD Skyline. In addition to better wireless charging with the Qi2 standard, the solution also enables accessories to be attached, which Google calls Pixelsnap. According to Google, in addition to chargers, tripods, handles and other accessories can be attached to the Pixel 10, even when using new "Google Cases with Pixelsnap". There will also be car mounts and chargers, handles, wallets and more from "Made for Google" partners, according to the manufacturer.

Pixel 10 on magnetic Pixelsnap stand — "Magsafe" for the Pixel 10: Google's Pixelsnap charging station.

(Image: Google)

Wireless charging of Pixel devices via "Pixelsnap" can be carried out with 15 W on the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro, while up to 25 watts are possible on the 10 Pro XL thanks to Qi2.2.1 support. The Pixel 10 and 10 Pro can be charged via cable with 30 W and the 10 Pro XL with 45 W.

Pixelsnap ring stand on Pixel 10 standing — Pixelsnap ring stand at Pixel 10.

(Image: Google)

Google has also increased the battery capacity of the new devices: The Pixel 10 Pro XL has a 5200 mAh battery (Pixel 9 Pro XL: 5060 mAh), which is the largest energy storage of a Pixel smartphone to date. Most recently, the Pixel 9a dominated the battery ranking in Google's phone portfolio with a 5100 mAh battery. The 10 Pro has a 4870 mAh battery and the Pixel 10 has a 4970 mAh battery (Pixel 9 and 9 Pro: 4,700 mAh). Google has thus provided all new models with around 200 to 300 mAh more energy storage. According to the manufacturer, the new models should last around 30 hours in moderate use.

Triple cameras now standard for all

When it comes to the cameras, Google is delivering a new feature, especially with the Pixel 10: instead of a dual camera with wide and ultra-wide angle, the basic Pixel has a third camera that is responsible for telephoto zoom shots. In terms of sensors, there are differences between the basic and Pro models.

Google Pixel 10 Pro (XL) all colors — Google is offering the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL in these four colors.

(Image: Google)

The camera setup of the Pros consists of a 50 MP wide-angle, 48 MP ultra-wide-angle with macro focus and a 48 MP camera with a 5x telephoto lens with up to 100x digital magnification. According to Google, the 100x zoom uses AI to synthetically calculate missing image information. The front camera also has a 42 MP sensor with autofocus. The Pixel 10 Pro can record videos at 8K and 24/30 fps, while the Pixel 10 stops at 4K with 24/30 and 60 fps.

Pixel 10 from behind with three cameras — Wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and telephoto zoom: unlike the Pixel 9, the Pixel 10 now has three cameras on the back.

(Image: Google)

Meanwhile, the Pixel 10's triple camera consists of a 48 MP wide-angle camera, a 13 MP ultra-wide-angle camera and a telephoto zoom camera with 10.8 MP and five times optical and 20 times digital magnification. Google also appears to be using the first two camera sensors in the budget model Pixel 9a. Only the telephoto zoom camera is new. As with the Pixel 9, Google relies on a 10.5 MP sensor for the selfie camera. Despite the similarities to the 9a, the image quality of the Pixel 10 could be better, as Google uses a new image sensor (ISP, "Image Signal Processor").

A new feature is the complete Tensor G5 processor, which, unlike the manufacturer's previous Tensor models, is no longer developed and manufactured together with Samsung. According to Google, the G5 is the first completely self-developed custom chip to be manufactured by the contract manufacturer TSMC using a current 3 nm process.

Google itself does not go into any further detail about the new chip. It merely states that it was "developed with leading processor technology for the Gemini era" and is said to have a TPU that is up to 60 percent more powerful than its predecessor for AI tasks. The advantage of the new chip is said to be more performance and better energy efficiency as well as less heat development. Some older Pixel models had this problem quite frequently in the summer, for example when navigating with Google Maps on long car journeys.

Videos by heise

The new chip is accompanied by 12 GB of RAM in the Pixel 10 and 16 GB in the Pro models. The internal flash memory starts at 128 GB for the basic and small Pro models. The Pixel 10 can also be ordered with 256 GB as an option, while the Pro versions are offered with up to one TByte. What is new is that Google is using "Zoned UFS" storage in the Pro versions. Among other things, this storage technology is designed to improve the performance and service life of mobile devices.

Other features include Wi-Fi 7 on the Pros and Wi-Fi 6e on the basic model. It is curious that all models were equipped with Wi-Fi 7 last year. It is unclear why Google downgraded the Wi-Fi on the 10 series. After all, they all have the new Bluetooth 6, and the Pro models also have UWB ("Ultra Wide Band") to enable more precise location of objects via the Find Hub, among other things. Thread support is still reserved for the Pro models. This allows corresponding smart home devices to be controlled directly via the smartphone without the need for a special Thread Hub or router. Apple's iPhones since the 15 Pro can also do this.

A little more AI on board again

The Pixel 10 series also includes new AI functions. Among other things, the "Camera Coach" is designed to help users "take the perfect photo". According to Google, the function uses Gemini models to provide suggestions "for the best angle, the best lighting or the best modes".

Furthermore, the "Automatic best shot" feature is intended to merge similar group shots automatically into a single optimized photo in which "all people show their best side". In addition, the improved "Add me" function allows the person who took the photo to be added to group photos. Gemini serves as the standard assistant.

Seven years of updates

Google also promises a long update guarantee of seven years. During this period, Pixel devices will receive new Android versions as well as monthly security patches and regular Pixel Drops. The Pixel 10 is available to order in the colors "Indigo" (blue), "Frost" (white), "Lemongrass" (yellowish-green) and "Obsidian" (black). Google offers the 10 Pro and Pro XL in the more subtle colors "Moonstone" (grey), "Jade" (pale green), "Porcelain" (white) and also "Obsidian" (black). All three devices are now available for pre-order from Google.

The Pixel 9 starts at 899 euros and the Pixel 9 Pro at 1099 euros. Google charges from 1199 euros for the XL model. These are the same prices that the manufacturer has already quoted for the Pixel 9 family. According to Google, the new Pixel 10 models will be available from August 28.