For a while, the way to tell the difference between a standard phone and a “Pro” was a third rear camera. Apple and Google have long kept to the setup of a regular lens and an ultra-wide on their main phones, reserving a telephoto zoom for their pricier Pros. Until now, that is.
The regular Google Pixel 10 matches its Pro sibling with a triple-camera setup. And it's got the same size and feel, the same battery life, the same cover glass strength, the same chip, the same AI features and the same magnetic wireless charging and accessories. It’s also still the same price as last year, starting at £799 and coming in a choice of four colours.
So, with the 10 being more Pro than ever, is it the one to pick and can it tempt iPhone users to switch sides? I’ve been hands-on to find out. (I'll be adding my verdict on the Pro soon, once I've finished testing).
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Google Pixel 10: At a glance
Pros
- Great design and software experience
- 5x telephoto on the base model
- Qi2 magnetic snap charging
- Camera Coach with helpful tips
Cons
- Ultra-wide camera is notably downgraded
- Speed is fine, but lags behind some rivals
Features at a Glance
| Display | 6.3-inch OLED |
|---|---|
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB |
| Cameras | 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10.8MP 5x telephoto, 10.5MP front-facing |
| Weight | 204g |
What I like about the Google Pixel 10
Google’s phones have been my go-to Android recommendation for years. The interface is intuitive and familiar, easy-to-navigate and use. And that’s for anyone, even if you’re used to the way iPhones or the way other Android phones work. That’s still true for the Pixel 10; it’s a simple and smart experience without the faff and bloatware of rivals.
I’ve been impressed by this phone during testing. Its display is bright and crisp, it delivers solid battery life, loads of AI features (some of which are useful), and “Pixelsnap”, Google’s version of MagSafe, which allows the phone to work with snap-on magnetic accessories and wireless chargers. It’s great, and works as easily as I'd hoped. The price also feels fair for what you get. In the UK, the Pixel 10 starts at £799, the same as the Pixel 9 did at launch. Right now, that’s great value compared to rivals.
The standout is the camera. You’ve now got a refreshed setup: a 48-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide and that new 10.8-megapixel telephoto lens. It all adds up to a very versatile system for photos at any distance, and there’s a decent front-facing selfie camera, too. Shots are detailed, bright and colourful, outperforming competitors. Video still isn’t quite its strong suit, but I’m impressed by the consistency of the stills across all the cameras.
There’s also a genuinely helpful AI tool: Camera Coach. This takes a little time to analyse scenes and will guide you on how to take a photo with a better composition. It’s ideal if you often struggle to get photos looking as professional as you’d like, and I found it can help you get better results. Once you’ve got the shot, you'll also be able to say how you want it edited – “remove the photobombers,” for example – and it'll sort it.
Google Pixel 10 camera samples
What I don’t like about the Google Pixel 10
When you compare the Pixel 10 with its predecessor, the Pixel 9 actually had a better ultra-wide camera with autofocus, and that’s gone from the 10. The new main camera sensor is also a bit smaller, which affects its performance in low-light, and it’s also ever so slightly thicker and heavier. The changes aren’t that evident, but Pixel 9 owners needn’t upgrade.
The speed and performance of the Pixel 10 is also decent, but not class-leading. It'll be good for most everyday tasks, but the chip does lag a bit behind Apple and Samsung rivals. It won't be an issue for most of us, but I’d think twice before buying this if you're a power user or a heavy gamer!
It’s also worth saying that there are a lot of AI features on Pixel phones these days. They’re marketed as game-changing, but I've found I hardly use any of them in day-to-day life. You may have a different experience, but it probably won't be a major selling point for most people.
My verdict on the Google Pixel 10
The Pixel 10 impresses as the best Android phone for the majority of people. I think it's particularly tempting to those switching over from an iPhone, thanks to its easy-to-use software and great cameras.
The addition of a telephoto zoom means you won’t miss out on far-away photo opportunities, while the phone now has more convenient wireless charging, a brighter display and some genuinely useful AI features.
The regular 10 is Google’s most Pro standard phone yet, and well worth it for most people who want a long-lasting Android (don’t forget it has seven years of software updates). It's a clear improvement compared to the budget Pixel 9a.
I suspect the Pixel 10 Pro will improve things further but, until I test it, the Pixel 10 already feels like a solid recommendation for most people.
Simon Cocks is Good Housekeeping UK’s Technology Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy for the title. He previously also worked across other titles including Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, e-book readers and smartphones. He's reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and money-saving advice guides and edited thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.
You can follow Simon on Instagram, on Bluesky, on LinkedIn and on Threads.
