30 days with the Pixel 10 Pro XL: An honest review

The Pixel 10 Pro XL offers a top-tier camera and clean Android software, but initially suffered from severe battery issues and display scratching, though battery performance significantly improved with a software update.

• Pixel 10 Pro XL boasts excellent camera quality and a clean Android software experience.

• Initial severe battery and freezing issues were resolved by a crucial software update.

• AI features are seamlessly integrated, but video recording lacks professional controls like log recording and Video Boost is slow.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL provides an excellent camera experience and the cleanest Android software, further enhanced by seamless AI integration like Pixel Snap and advanced AI camera features. While it initially struggled with poor battery life, easily scratched display bezels, and occasional overheating, a critical software update addressed the battery issues, transforming it into a reliable daily device. The Tensor G5 chip, despite not matching Snapdragon's raw power, delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks, making it a compelling upgrade for users coming from older Pixel models.

Pixel's Strengths & Features

• 00:00:21 The Pixel 10 Pro XL offers a flawless Pixel experience, highlighted by quicker charging, reaching 70% in 30 minutes. The new Pixel Snap feature, enabling MagSafe accessory compatibility and 25W Qi2.2 wireless charging, is a significant enhancement. The device also boasts a clean Android software experience with built-in AI features like Hold for Me and Now Playing, complemented by a sleek design, 100x Super Res zoom, loud bassy speakers, and an always-on display wallpaper from the Galaxy S series, which is now available on Pixel.

• 00:02:18 The display of the Pixel 10 Pro XL is largely similar to its predecessor but features an increased peak brightness of 30,000 nits, which is beneficial for outdoor use. To maximize display quality, users must manually activate the 'max resolution' setting, though this impacts battery life. However, the display is criticized for its noticeably large bezels compared to competitors like the S25 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and it is highly susceptible to scratching, with significant damage observed within hours of use.

• 00:03:20 The Pixel 10 Pro XL initially suffered from terrible battery performance, often failing to last until the end of a day even with light usage, and experienced frequent freezing issues. Fortunately, a software update significantly improved battery life, making it one of the better Android phone batteries capable of lasting a full day, and resolved the freezing problems. The Tensor G5 chip, while not as powerful as Snapdragon, performs comparably for everyday tasks without slowing down or stuttering, though it can warm up during intense tasks or prolonged camera use.

• 00:06:01 The Pixel 10 Pro XL truly excels in its AI capabilities, with daily use of features like Circle to Search and Gemini. New additions include Edit for Me (unavailable in the UK) and Magic Q, which is useful for retrieving appointment information during calls by scanning emails and texts, though its integration with messages remains inconsistent. The camera leverages AI for features like ProRes Zoom, allowing for 100x zoom with generally impressive, realistic results for non-human subjects, although it can produce genuinely awful and unrecognizable images in some scenarios, like with pets or distant objects.