Pixel 10 Pro after the first few days: Same look, different league (preview)

I had the opportunity to spend a few first days with the new Google Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL phones, and I must say that the first impression is a strange mix of déjà vu and excitement. At first glance, the phones look almost the same as last year’s Pixel 9 Pro, but under the hood and in the details, there are changes that make them perhaps the most interesting Android phones of the year. And that’s despite Google not bringing top-tier hardware again.

Familiar design that just works

When I pick up the Pixel 10 Pro XL, I feel like I’m holding last year’s model. The dimensions are identical, the design hasn’t changed by a millimeter, the phone weighs 11 grams more (232 grams), otherwise, we’re looking at last year’s design. Flat back, rounded corners, the characteristic camera bar across the entire width. Google simply took a design that worked last year and left it alone. And you know what? I don’t mind.

The phone feels great in hand, although I must admit that the glossy side frames on the Pro version are not my cup of tea. They scratched easily last year, and it probably won’t be any different this year. I would prefer a matte finish like the iPhone 16 Pro or Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Pixelsnap – finally MagSafe for Android

The biggest hardware novelty is the Pixelsnap magnets, which essentially replicate Apple MagSafe. And I must say – it was about time! I brought along a magnetic wallet that I normally use with my iPhone, and it worked perfectly. The phone holds firmly, doesn’t slip.

I also tried a car mount, and the Pixel 10 Pro snapped onto it perfectly. The Pro model supports 15W wireless charging, the XL even 25W – that’s the full speed of the Qi2 standard.

Google offers its own accessories, including cases, wallets, and stands. Prices are not yet known, but I hope they will be reasonable. The main thing is that third-party accessories designed for MagSafe also work. This opens up huge possibilities.

Android 16 is great

Software is an area where Pixel traditionally excels, and Android 16 is no different. The system is incredibly smooth, animations are like a knife through butter. Google has also refined the details – new sounds for charging, unlocking, or notifications are pleasant and unobtrusive. Haptic feedback is traditionally precise and well-dosed.

Material 3 Expressive design looks modern and unified. I like how Google has unified the look across the system. Everything fits together, from icons to menus to settings. It’s simply a pleasant system to use, although it doesn’t offer as many options as, for example, Samsung’s One UI.

Of course, there are new AI features, but more on those in the review. The important thing is that the basic system works great even without them.

A display that shines

Pixel’s Super Actua displays are, in my opinion, underrated. Google doesn’t talk much about them, but they are fantastic. The Pixel 10 Pro has a 6.3″ panel, and the Pro XL has 6.8″, both with a resolution over 1200p and a refresh rate of 1-120 Hz.

In practice, the displays are incredibly sharp and colorful. Google states a peak brightness of 3300 nits, which I couldn’t measure, but I had no problem reading anything outdoors in the sun. Colors are vibrant, but not overly saturated like some Chinese phones.

Again, however, by default, it’s only Full HD; you have to manually select the highest resolution. Honestly, I don’t quite understand this. Many perceive Pixel as an iPhone with Android, and a typical user won’t browse through settings to discover a relatively hidden option for screen resolution. When someone buys a phone for tens of thousands, they logically want to use it to its full potential. The difference between high resolution (2404 x 1080) and maximum resolution (2992 x 1334) is noticeable at first glance.

Cameras with AI coach

The camera hardware remained the same as last year – 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto with 5× zoom. Google is betting on software improvements thanks to the new Tensor G5 with an improved image processor.

The most interesting new feature is Camera Coach – an AI assistant that advises you on how to take better photos. The system analyzes the scene and offers tips – move left for better light, get closer to the subject, change the angle.

Auto Best Take now works automatically – just take a group photo, and the AI will automatically select the best facial expressions. You don’t have to take multiple photos and then choose.

Performance

The Tensor G5 is manufactured using a 3nm process by TSMC, and Google promises a 60% faster TPU and 34% faster CPU. In practice, the phone was swift, apps opened instantly, and multitasking worked without a hitch. I will discuss the chipset itself more in the review, which will be published in our magazine next week. I can only reveal that even though it doesn’t match the best competition in benchmarks, one must tip their hat to Google for managing to create a respectable piece of silicon from a terrible chip in a relatively short time (4 years), one that truly excels in some aspects.

What pleases me is the 16 GB RAM in both Pro models. This should ensure smooth operation even with a multitude of AI processes in the background. And thanks to seven years of updates, the phone will receive new features until 2032.

Czech prices and availability

In the Czech Republic, the Pixel 10 Pro will cost from 27,990 CZK for the 128 GB version. The Pixel 10 Pro XL starts at 32,990 CZK with 256 GB of storage. These are reasonable prices given what the phones offer. The basic Pixel 10 will cost 22,990 CZK.

The phones will be available from partners such as Alza, Datart, O2, Vodafone, T-Mobile, and Mobil Pohotovost. Pre-orders have already begun, with first deliveries scheduled for August 28.

First verdict

The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL are not a revolution, but an evolution in the right direction. The design remained because it works. The addition of Pixelsnap magnets is a great move that will be appreciated by anyone who envies iPhone users their MagSafe accessories.

Sure, the Tensor G5 won’t be the fastest chip on the market. But Pixels have never been about specs on paper. They are about the overall experience, about how pleasant they are to use every day. And in that, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL are at the top. We will bring a full review once we have the phones in hand for longer, but the first impressions are very positive.

How do you like the new Pixels?