At first glance, the Pixel 10 launch appeared to be another incremental upgrade. The kind of “spec bump” we’ve all grown numb to after years of phone launches. But this time feels different. For the first time in a decade, countless iPhone users are seriously considering making the switch.
So why is this the moment? As someone who’s spent years inside Apple’s ecosystem, I decided to make the jump and explore what the Pixel 10 Pro has to offer. Here’s what I found after switching to the Pixel 10 and living with it day to day.
Why Switch to Pixel 10 Now?
The conversation around Google’s latest flagship has changed.
This isn’t just about Android vs iOS anymore; it’s about whether the Pixel 10 experience finally delivers something meaningful enough to pull lifelong iPhone users away from Apple’s walled garden.
And judging from the flood of comments across tech communities, the answer for many is yes. The Pixel 10 feels like a genuine alternative, offering not only new features but also a different way of using your phone.
Pixel 10 Pro Design: Familiar, Yet With a Twist
If you line up the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro, you’d be forgiven for not spotting much difference. In fact, the MagBak case I used for my Pixel 9 Pro XL fits the Pixel 10 Pro XL almost perfectly (that’s how subtle the changes are).
But there are a few important updates worth noting:
PixelSnap (MagSafe for Android)
Google has finally introduced its own version of MagSafe, thanks to the new Qi2 standard. Accessories now snap onto the back of the phone just like on an iPhone, making charging and wallets far more convenient.
Reverse Wireless Charging Changes
Those magnets come with a downside, since you can no longer use the Pixel to reverse-charge a Pixel Watch. It’s a trade-off, and one that may frustrate some long-time Pixel fans.
eSIM Only in the US
Like the iPhone, the Pixel 10 series has dropped the physical SIM in the US. That’s great for fraud prevention, but less convenient for travelers who rely on swapping in local SIM cards.
The design itself is clean, minimal, and premium. If you’re coming from an iPhone, it will feel immediately familiar, but with some added flexibility.
Display: Bright, Crisp, and Outdoor-Friendly
One of the biggest strengths of the Pixel 10 Pro is its display. With a peak brightness of 3,300 nits, it turns on bright and stays bright. Even under direct sunlight, the phone remains perfectly visible, unlike iPhones and Samsung’s latest foldables, which tend to dim quickly outdoors.
What it doesn’t have is anti-glare technology like the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The solution? A matte screen protector. For around $15, I transformed the experience of using the Pixel outdoors. The matte finish also makes scrolling feel smoother, almost like the frosted glass on the back of the phone.
Accessories That Elevate the Pixel 10 Experience
Like any flagship, the Pixel 10 Pro shines when paired with the right accessories. For me, that starts with a MagBak case.
This isn’t just a protective shell. The case comes with a built-in finger loop, a magnetic kickstand, customizable side grips, and the strongest magnets I’ve tested in any case. Stick your phone to gym equipment, the fridge, or even fling the MagBak wallet around on your finger without fear of it falling off.
It’s these little extras that make the Pixel 10 experience feel more practical and fun in daily life.
Performance: Speed Meets a Few Stumbles
Powered by the Tensor G5, the Pixel 10 Pro is fast, but my experience wasn’t flawless. Day-to-day performance is snappy, especially after reducing animation speeds in Developer Options, but I ran into a few hiccups:
- The phone crashed during heavy use, including shooting 8K video and extended photo sessions.
- Some photos mysteriously didn’t save.
- Video recording occasionally cut off before it should have.
To Google’s credit, frequent updates seem to have addressed most of these issues quickly. Since the first week, reliability has improved dramatically.
Gaming performance is solid, though the phone does warm up during longer sessions. It’s manageable, but noticeable.
Cameras: Stunning Photos, Mixed Feelings on AI
Pixel cameras have long been praised, and the Pixel 10 Pro continues that tradition. The photos are some of the best I’ve taken on any phone, especially low-light shots with Night
Sight.
But Google leans heavily on AI processing, which can sometimes feel like a double-edged sword. For example:
- AI enhancements create incredibly clean, shareable photos.
- At times, the final image looks quite different from what you saw in the viewfinder.
If you love editing raw photos, you might still prefer the iPhone’s flexibility. But for most
people, Pixel creates gorgeous shots you’ll want to share instantly.
Video, on the other hand, is good enough for family moments and casual content, but it’s not going to replace a dedicated camera setup for professional creators.
Pixel 10 Pro AI Features That Actually Make the Cut
One of the biggest reasons people ask “Why switch to Pixel 10?” is Google’s software. The Pixel 10 Pro doubles down on AI in a way that feels useful rather than gimmicky.
Some highlights include:
Gemini Live
Lets you share your screen or point your camera at something while having a live AI conversation. It’s surprisingly smart and even remembers context.
Camera Coach
Gives on-screen guidance for framing and shooting, though parents chasing kids may find it less practical.
Photo Editing Improvements
Google’s already strong editing tools get even better, letting you simply tell the phone what you want changed instead of painstakingly erasing or cloning.
Magic Cue
Designed to pull information from apps and emails at the right moment, like surfacing your dinner reservation details when someone texts you.
Not everything works perfectly. Magic Cue didn’t show up on my device yet, and like Gemini, it may be account-specific. Rollouts can be slow, especially outside the US.
But even with those gaps, Google’s AI suite feels ahead of Apple’s current “Apple Intelligence” efforts, giving them a run for their money.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life on the Pixel 10 Pro has been excellent so far. Out of the box, I comfortably finish the day with around 20% left. Performance gets even better after a few days as Android optimizations settle in.
Heat management is solid, too. The phone only warmed noticeably during heavy gaming or long 8K recording sessions. Charging speeds are another win: 30W on the Pro and 45W on the Pro XL. The bigger model also benefits from faster wired charging, though the regular Pro is still respectable.
Face Unlock: Faster Than iPhone
For those coming from an iPhone, here’s an underrated part of the Pixel 10 experience: Face Unlock. Unlike many Android devices, Pixel’s version works not only for unlocking the phone but also for apps requiring extra security, like banking apps.
And yes, it feels faster than iPhone’s Face ID. Combine that with the option to use the fingerprint sensor, and you get flexibility and speed that Apple still can’t match.
Smooth Payments with Google Pay
Google Pay works flawlessly on the Pixel 10 series. Whether it’s grocery runs, family outings, or holiday spending, payments are quick and reliable. If you’re accustomed to using Apple Pay, the experience is nearly identical; simply tap, pay, and go.
Thread Support for Smart Homes
The Pixel 10 Pro also includes built-in Thread support. This may seem like a small detail now, but it’s important for the future of smart homes. Thread allows devices to communicate directly with each other rather than routing everything through the cloud.
For anyone building a smart home setup, having Thread baked into your phone makes the Pixel more future-ready.
Watch the Full Video
Ready to dig deeper into the benefits of the Pixel 10 Pro (and whether you should make the switch)? Check out my latest video:
Should You Buy the Pixel 10 Pro?
So, the big question: is the Pixel 10 Pro worth it?
If you’re an iPhone user who’s bored of the same yearly updates, this might be the year to make the leap. The Pixel 10 Pro offers:
- Bright, reliable display performance
- Strong cameras with advanced AI features
- Face Unlock and fingerprint flexibility
- MagSafe-style charging with PixelSnap
- A host of AI tools that feel genuinely useful
It’s not flawless. Early bugs, occasional reliability issues, and the shift to eSIM-only in the US may frustrate some. But for many, the overall package makes this Google’s strongest case yet for switching to the Pixel 10.
FAQs About the Pixel 10 Pro
Is the Pixel 10 Pro better than the iPhone?
It depends. For photos and AI-powered features, the Pixel shines. iPhone still leads for Pro-level video workflows.
Does the Pixel 10 Pro have MagSafe?
Yes. Google calls it PixelSnap, built on Qi2 wireless charging. It works with magnetic chargers and accessories.
Why switch to Pixel 10 from iPhone?
Pixel offers faster Face Unlock, smarter AI features, and a fresh user experience if you’re tired of incremental iPhone updates.
What about battery life?
The Pixel 10 Pro lasts all day with ease and supports 30W or 45W fast charging, depending on the model.
Is the Pixel 10 experience buggy?
Some users reported early bugs, but frequent software updates have improved reliability quickly.
More from Pete Matheson
If you’re still wondering what the Pixel 10 Pro has to offer, check out my full video review on my YouTube channel. You’ll see real-world examples, side-by-side comparisons, and hands-on footage that bring the phone to life.
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