Google Pixel 10 Review: AI Features Fall Short

Last year, I described Google’s Pixel 9 as a solid Android device enhanced with a plethora of AI features that ranged from mildly interesting to outright unnecessary. My experience with the recently launched Google Pixel 10 mirrors that sentiment.

While the base model of Google's latest flagship smartphone introduces some welcome hardware upgrades—most notably a larger battery and an enhanced telephoto zoom lens for the rear camera—it appears that Google continues to lean heavily on its AI capabilities for differentiation.

The Google Pixel 10 stands as a competent choice for those seeking a reliable Android phone that delivers impressive photography and a battery life that can easily last through a day of use. If you are eager to explore the latest AI features, this phone indeed has several intriguing functionalities. However, in a landscape where smartphone updates often feel repetitive, the excitement around new models seems to wane.

Google Pixel 10: Pricing and Specifications

The Pixel 10 is priced at $799, maintaining the same cost as its predecessor, the Pixel 9. In an era marked by rising smartphone prices, this consistency is a commendable feat. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect for that price:

• 6.3-inch display with a resolution of 1080x2424 and a 60-120Hz adaptive refresh rate

• Peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits

• 12GB RAM

• Storage options of 128GB or 256GB

• Powered by Google’s Tensor G5 chip

• 4,970mAh battery

The display, while lacking the superior 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate found on the Pixel 10 Pro, still proves to be impressive. With a peak brightness that exceeds last year's model by 300 nits, it performs well even in bright daylight, offering vivid and detailed visuals that enhance everyday tasks and photography previews.

In addition to the improved display, the Pixel 10 features a larger battery compared to its predecessor, which had a 4,700mAh capacity—a notable upgrade for users who prioritize longevity.

Google Pixel 10: Design

Available in four color options—Indigo, Frost, Lemongrass, and Obsidian—the Pixel 10's design is aesthetically pleasing. My review unit, the Indigo variant, boasts a striking appearance. However, one could easily mistake the Pixel 10 for its predecessor; Google opted not to reinvent the design wheel this year. The characteristic horizontal camera bar remains, now adorned with an additional camera lens that serves as the most immediate visual distinction from the Pixel 9.

This design choice highlights a recurring theme: if you aren't particularly enthusiastic about the AI functionalities, there's not much to spark excitement this year.

Google Pixel 10: Performance

At the heart of the Pixel 10 is the new Tensor G5 chip, which delivers competent performance across the board. General app usage is smooth, and even demanding tasks like AI functions operate efficiently. While the device may get warm during prolonged use, it remains manageable with a good case. Unfortunately, benchmarking tools like Geekbench 6 weren't available for testing at the time of this review, leaving precise performance metrics out of reach. Nevertheless, my experience indicates that the Pixel 10 handles tasks with ease.

Google Pixel 10: Battery Life

The Pixel 10's battery life is commendable, with Google claiming it can last over 30 hours on a single charge. In my tests, while I couldn't quite achieve that benchmark—partly due to utilizing the 120Hz mode—I still managed between 26 and 27 hours without needing a recharge, which is quite impressive.

Google Pixel 10: AI Features

AI remains at the forefront of the Pixel 10's appeal, building upon the toolkit Google has developed over recent years. Some features genuinely enhance usability and communication, while others seem rather trivial.

One standout feature is the live language translation during phone calls, which operates on-device and supports several widely spoken global dialects. I tested this feature using my limited Spanish skills, and while it effectively captured my attempts, there was a slight delay in processing, making conversations feel less than seamless. The most striking aspect? It translates your voice into the target language, which can be both fascinating and disconcerting.

Another intriguing AI feature is Magic Cue, designed to bring relevant personal information to the forefront when needed. For instance, if you have travel details stored, the Pixel 10 will display them in response to related queries without you having to search actively. This feature could save time for many users, although it may not revolutionize the smartphone experience.

Regrettably, some of the AI features, such as the new Daily Hub widget that aggregates weather, calendar events, and news articles, feel underwhelming. The most valuable components—weather updates and calendar events—are easily accessible without the need for AI integration. Furthermore, the personalized prompts from Gemini, although tailored, often lack depth and usefulness.

In terms of photo editing, the Pixel 10 introduces generative editing capabilities, allowing users to modify images based on text prompts. While this feature works, the results can appear artificial and unrealistic, making it more of a novelty than a reliable editing tool.

Google Pixel 10: Camera Performance

Significant upgrades have been made to the camera system this year, featuring:

• 48MP wide lens, 13MP ultrawide, and 10.8MP telephoto

• 10.5MP front camera

While it may seem like a downgrade in megapixels compared to the Pixel 9, the inclusion of a telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom on the base model is noteworthy. The optical zoom performs admirably, but digital zoom beyond 5x tends to produce subpar results, leading to pixelation and distortion.

Despite these drawbacks, the overall photo quality remains impressive, capturing vibrant and detailed shots that stand out, especially in well-lit conditions. Google's Night Sight continues to excel in low-light photography, preserving the ambiance of the scene while ensuring visibility.

Should You Upgrade to the Pixel 10?

Ultimately, while the Google Pixel 10 is a solid device with commendable features, its upgrades from the Pixel 9 are largely incremental. The AI functionalities may appeal to tech enthusiasts, but they may not be enough to warrant an urgent upgrade for most users. If you're using a significantly older model or can snag a discount through your carrier, the Pixel 10 could be worth considering. However, if photography is your primary concern, you might want to opt for the Pixel 10 Pro, which starts at $999 and offers superior camera capabilities.

In the grand scheme of things, the Pixel 10 stands as a testament to the incremental evolution of smartphone technology—it's good, but it doesn't quite inspire the excitement of previous generations. ```