The second year of a small Pixel Pro throws up new questions, new complaints, but ultimately, is the Pixel 10 a better buy than the Pixel 10 Pro? Here’s everything you need to know.

Hardware

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Don’t expect much change from the Pixel 9 design. The Pixel 10 and 10 Pro are practically identical to the previous generation. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. It’s a good thing because it’s consistent. It’s a bad thing because it’s very samey and hard to see what has actually changed.

Luckily, the Pixel 10 has a new camera lens. The Pixel 10 Pro doesn’t have a “big ticket” addition. They are practically the same size, almost the same weight, but the camera bar is marginally bigger. No option to use last years cases – not that you would want to because Pixelsnap means Magsafe without a case for the first time.

This is a big boon for the Pixel lineup. Not requiring a case to add chargers, docks, car brackets, and all the camera accessories you can think of. Apple’s groundwork means Google gains from a massive portfolio of accessories just by adding a circular magnet ring at the back. It’s overdue but very welcome and all it added was 0.1mm to the thickness.

pixel 10 pixel 10 pro

pixel 10 pixel 10 pro

Like last year, the displays diverge a little. The Pixel 10 Pro has QHD+, while the Pixel 10 has FHD+. The cheaper phone has thicker bezels, and because it’s not LTPO, it lacks some of the dynamic refresh rate changes that this display tech can offer. They are both super bright panels, though, at up to 2000 nits on the Pixel 10 and 3000 nits on the Pixel 10 Pro. They’re still using Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for display protection, but a screen protector feels necessary in our experience.

Regarding internal specifications, the Pixel 10 comes with 12 GB of RAM and 128 GB or 256 GB storage options. The Pixel 10 Pro runs the same for the most part but ships with 16 GB of RAM and wider storage choices, ranging from 128 GB up to 1 TB with Zoned UFS. You do not get the faster UFS 4.0 storage by default on either. In its infinite wisdom, Google has locked that to higher storage tiers. So you need 256GB on both models to get this faster storage option.

pixel 10 pixel 10 pro

The Pixel 10 offers a distinct aesthetic in its color variants, providing options such as Indigo Frost and Lemongrass, alongside Obsidian. These are most definitely brighter and more vibrant selections for the standard phone, but they still have matte sides and glossy backs. In contrast, the Pixel 10 Pro line features a more “corporate” palette in my eyes, the new colors include Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain, and Obsidian. Once again, there are glossy sides and a matte back for the Pro model.

Software

pixel 10 pixel 10 pro

On the Google Pixel 10 and 10 Pro, you get largely the same software experience, with most of the core Google AI suite fully integrated across both devices. Google says this is all thanks to some tuning provided by the new Google Tensor G5 processor, which can run offline or locally.

Both models launch with Android 16 QPR1 pre-installed, so it’s the most up to date version and there is a minor period of exclusivity before it rolls out widely to Pixel 6 and newer. That’s way better than how the Pixel 9 launched with Android 14 before gettin Android 15 later in the year.

There’s the default promise of seven years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates. So at least in theory expect these phones to get OTAs until August 2032. Whether the hardware will last that long is another question entirely.

Common AI features include Gemini Nano, the built-in Gemini AI assistant, Gemini Live, Gemini Apps, Pixel Screenshots, Magic Cue for proactive information suggestions, Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Call Assist. For photo and video editing, both benefit from tools like Pixel Studio, Auto frame, Reimagine, Magic Eraser, and Best Take Photo Unblur. The Pixel 10 series also features Camera Coach and Auto Best Take so you don’t miss out by going cheaper.

Battery

Interestingly, the Pixel 10 features a slightly larger typical battery capacity of 4970 mAh compared to the Pixel 10 Pro’s 4870 mAh. We don’t even know the reason for this change because they retain identical footprints.

Both support fast charging up to 55% in about 30 minutes with a 30W USB-C PPS charger – which is still somewhat slow by modern Android smartphone standards.

The addition of 15W Pixelsnap wireless charging means that you don’t get the full 25W that is touted by the Qi2 standard, but it will be fast enough for most people. Using the fan-assisted power block, you can still use the Pixel Stand to get 21W charging on the Pixel 10 or 23W on the Pixel 10 Pro.

Camera

There are a lot of things to contend with that we didn’t have last year with the base and middle models. That’s because the Pixel 10 has a downgraded main and ultrawide sensor, which is joined by the first telephoto on the base model. At 5x and 10.8MP, it’s solid, if unspectacular. Super Res Zoom is supported up to 20x.

Those other two lenses are ripped directly from the Pixel 9a, which is a questionable decision. That said, the results are decent, just a step back from the Pixel 9 and its bigger main sensor. Software tuning has helped here, but you will get a much better camera experience on the Pixel 10 Pro over the Pixel 10, no matter how you cut it.

On that phone, there’s 100x Pro Res Zoom, which is basically AI-powered and enhanced images which is genuinely shocking how good it can improve a blocky photo. A few functions like Camera Coach and Auto Best Take are are available on both.

If you want the best Pixel photos, it’s easier this year as the Pixel 10 Pro is much more capable than the Pixel 10.

Pixel 10 vs. Pixel 10 Pro: Which should I choose?

About upgrading: 9to5Google often gives specific product recommendations. Sometimes, we may suggest not upgrading, due to various reasons including, but not limited to: increased device cost, negligible performance gains, or environmental impact. Whether to upgrade is always your call, but our aim is to help you make as informed a decision as possible.

The addition of a telephoto lens on the Pixel 10 masks some other little changes to the camera system that make it a bit harder to recommend than we initially expected. However, you will still get good results and at a much lower price, as the Pixel 10 Pro now costs $1,099.

I would suggest that most people close the gap a little and go for a 256GB Pixel 10 over the Pixel 10 Pro. The faster UFS 4.0 storage will give you a bigger performance uplift and ensure you have a snappy experience, plus all the good stuff from Android 16 QPR1 and those AI functions intact.

It’s great that you can get the “best” of Google in a small footprint, so anyone looking at the Pixel 10 Pro will be very happy with a purchase. Maybe it’s a tougher sell this time around as the Pixel 10’s upgrades diminish the novelty, but you don’t need to settle quite as much if you can stomach the price increase.

Just avoid the 128GB versions of either and you’ll thank me later.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.