Google Pixel 10 Series Review: Beyond Android
▼ Summary
– The Pixel 10 series continues Google’s trend of resembling iPhones, offering polished experiences but moving away from the tinkering-friendly, low-cost Nexus phone legacy.
– These phones feature possibly the best cameras on the market and improved power, though their aesthetics remain largely unchanged and locked down.
– Google made only limited refinements to the Pixel 10 series, keeping the same design formula as the Pixel 9 without major reinvention.
– New AI features have been added, the SIM card slot has been removed, and there is little incentive for Pixel 9 owners to upgrade.
– The Pixel 10 retains a similar design to the Pixel 9 with materials like aluminum and Gorilla Glass, featuring improved button quality but potentially slippery surfaces on Pro models.
Google’s Pixel 10 series represents the culmination of a decade of smartphone evolution, blending premium hardware with industry-leading AI integration to deliver a refined user experience. While these devices continue to push boundaries in computational photography and software intelligence, they also signal a clear departure from Google’s more experimental roots, embracing a mature, polished identity that closely mirrors the approach of its chief competitor.
For those who fondly remember the Nexus era of affordable, developer-friendly devices, the Pixel 10 lineup may feel increasingly distant from that philosophy. Instead, Google has doubled down on sophistication and seamless integration, offering the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, and 10 Pro XL as some of the most cohesive Android handsets available. Their cameras remain arguably unmatched, performance sees a modest uplift, and the build quality reflects careful attention to detail, even if the overall aesthetic feels more evolutionary than revolutionary.
Following last year’s design overhaul with the Pixel 9, Google has opted for refinement over reinvention with this generation. The changes are subtle, and not all will be universally welcomed. The company has introduced a slew of new AI capabilities, though their practical utility may vary from user to user. More controversially, the SIM card slot has been removed entirely, following a trend set by other manufacturers. This move may frustrate longtime users who prefer physical SIMs, and it underscores a broader shift toward ecosystem lock-in rather than modularity.
If you were a fan of the Pixel 9’s look and feel, the Pixel 10 will seem familiar, just slightly improved. All three models feature aluminum frames and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both front and back, though unlike some rivals, there’s no titanium variant available. The standard Pixel 10 sports a matte metal frame with a glossy back, while the Pro models reverse that formula with polished edges and a matte glass rear. This design choice, while elegant, makes the Pro devices somewhat slippery in hand. On a positive note, the buttons, which sometimes felt loose on previous generations, are now satisfyingly clicky and precise.
(Source: Ars Technica)
