Every year, I see the new Pixel phone launch and think, “Oh, that is rather expensive. Remember when Google phones were cheaper than iPhones?” Then, like clockwork, Black Friday deals season comes around, and Google knocks the price down to more palatable levels. It turns out the Google Pixel 10 is no exception to that rule.
It’s now possible to pick up the Google Pixel 10 for $599 on Amazon. Not only is that $200 off the normal price, but it’s also only $100 more than you’d normally have to pay for the mid-range Google Pixel 9a — which is considered the best cheap phone. So this is a pretty great deal, if you ask me.
While the Pixel 10 Pro didn’t see many meaningful upgrades this year, the Pixel 10 got so many that there’s just no comparing it to the Google Pixel 9. Not only does the phone come with a brighter display, improved AI and the improved Tensor G5 chipset, it also comes with a telephoto lens — a first for non-Pro Pixel models.
Few phone companies offer a telephoto lens on their cheapest flagship, but even those that do haven’t packed it with the kind of hardware Google has. The fact that the Pixel 10 has the same 5x optical zoom as the 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL should put the likes of Samsung on notice. Especially given how good the overall camera quality is on the phone.
Of course, Google has improved the Actua display with even more brightness — 2,333 nits in our testing. That’s the kind of screen brightness that even the brand-new iPhone 17 can’t compete with.
Battery life has also had a jump compared to last year, lasting for 13 hours and 13 minutes — 43 minutes longer than the Pixel 9. Charging speed has increased to 30W, and the addition of Qi2 wireless charging means extra benefits are afforded by the magnetic ring. The least of which is better coil alignment and the ability to use different accessories.
The fact that Google didn’t raise the price beyond $799 is a big deal in itself, but now that the Pixel 10 is $200 off? This is the kind of bargain you can’t afford to miss out on.
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.