Pixel 10 Pro/10 Pro XL vs. Pixel 9 Pro/9 Pro XL: The Upgrade You've Been Waiting For?

From camera innovations to chip upgrades, is an upgrade on the cards?

Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL - Brilliance Unleashed

Experience the ultimate Pixel, where advanced AI meets professional-grade photography. The new Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL are powered by the custom-designed Google Tensor G5 chip, bringing the power of Gemini right to your fingertips.¹ Shoot cinematic video with improved stabilization, capture unbelievably sharp photos with Pro Res Zoom (now up to 100x!), and get personalised photography tips from Camera Coach.² All this, plus real-time call translations and a whopping 7 years of new features and updates, makes this the most capable Pixel yet.³

Refined Design and Brighter Display

Forget everything you thought you knew about Pixel's design, because the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL are here to shake things up. While the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL were gorgeous in their own right, the new 10 Pro family is all about that refined, polished look. We're talking a silky matte back with a polished spacecraft-grade aluminum frame—it feels as good as it looks.

You've still got your classic Obsidian and Porcelain, but now we've added two stunning new colors to the mix: Moonstone and Jade. It's time to find the Pixel that truly fits your vibe.

And let's talk about that display. It's a game-changer. The new Super Actua display on both the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL takes everything you loved about the Pixel 9 Pro's screen and dials it up a notch. We're talking up to 3,300 nits of peak brightness, a serious upgrade from the Pixel 9 Pro's 3,000 nits.⁴ For those still rocking the Pixel 8 Pro, that’s an even bigger upgrade (from 2,400 nits). So whether you're gaming in bright sunlight or binge-watching your favorite shows, everything will be incredibly vibrant and easy to see.

Both models keep that buttery-smooth 1-120 Hz refresh rate and are still tough as nails with Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 on both the front and back.⁵ The Pixel 10 Pro is a little chunkier than its predecessor, measuring in at 8.6 mm deep and 207 g, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL keeps the same slim profile at 8.5 mm but packs on a little weight at 232 g. And of course, they're both rocking that IP68 dust and water resistance, so a little splash is no big deal.⁶

In short, the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL takes the best of the 9 Pro series—like that incredible LTPO OLED display and durable design—and gives it a fresh coat of polish with a brighter display.

A Leap in Performance: Tensor G5

The Pixel 10 Pro isn't just about more space; it's about smarter space. While the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL had solid storage options, the real star is the 1 TB with Zoned UFS available in the Pixel 10 Pro series.⁷ This allows for a faster, more efficient way to store and access your data, making everything from loading apps to saving photos feel instantaneous.

The Pixel 9 Pro's Tensor G4 was great, but the Tensor G5 in the new Pixel 10 Pro is a whole new level of genius. This custom-built chip alongside the 16GB RAM is designed for performance, AI, and efficiency, meaning everything from taking a perfect photo to running Google Assistant is faster and more intuitive (especially in comparison to the 12GB RAM and Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8 Pro). And with the Titan M2 security coprocessor, you can be confident that your phone is not only fast but also incredibly secure.

Camera: Pro-Level Imaging Powered by AI

Let's get into it. The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL were already camera champs, but the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL gives you that little bit more.

With the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL, we didn't just tweak things—we supercharged them. The camera specs on paper might look similar, but the magic is in the details. That 5x telephoto lens now works with Pro Res Zoom up to 100x, which is a massive leap from the 30x Super Res Zoom on the Pixel 9 Pro.⁸ You're getting incredible detail from ridiculously far away.

Video is also where the Pixel 10 Pro really shines. While the Pixel 9 Pro had 8K video recording powered by Video Boost, the Pixel 10 Pro takes it a step further with 8K video recording at 24/30 FPS. And we've added a bunch of new video features like Macro Focus Video, so you can get those gorgeous, super-detailed close-up shots even in motion. And let's not forget Night Sight Video, which is now even better for capturing those late-night memories.

Plus, we've introduced some next-level AI features that you won't find anywhere else. Camera Coach is like having a pro photographer in your pocket, and Add Me is even smarter, making sure no one is ever left out of the group photo again. We also added High-Res Portrait Mode to get that crisp 50 MP detail, and you can even Resize and move subjects in your photos with Pixel Studio.⁹

The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL were powerhouses, but the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL are the next evolution of what a phone camera can do. It's not just about taking a picture, it's about giving you the tools to create something amazing, with the legendary Pixel AI right there to make it all easy.

AI Powered for Everyday Excellence

The main difference in AI between the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 10 Pro comes down to one thing: the Tensor G5 chip. Think of it like this: your Pixel 9 Pro is already super smart with its Tensor G4 chip, making things like Circle to Search and on-device Gemini Nano fast and smooth.¹⁰

But the Pixel 10 Pro now has an even smarter, more powerful brain—the Tensor G5. This means all those same great features, from Call Assist to Live Translate, will likely feel even faster and more seamless, even more so for those on older devices e.g. Pixel 8 Pro whereby new tools such as Magic Cue won’t be available.¹¹ So, while both the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro are AI powerhouses, the Pixel 10 Pro has just a little more oomph to make your daily tasks even easier.

All Day Battery and Faster Charging

The Pixel 10 Pro has a larger typical battery capacity of 4,870 mAh, a noticeable increase from the Pixel 9 Pro's 4,700 mAh.¹² The Pixel 10 Pro XL is also shaping up to be a true powerhouse, with a typical battery capacity of 5,200 mAh (surpassing the Pixel 9 Pro XL's 5,060 mAh and the even Pixel 8 Pro's 5,050 mAh battery).¹² With the new Tensor G5 providing more power efficiencies, you can do more on a single charge - 24+ hours with regular use and up to 100 hours using Extreme Battery Saver.¹³

For wired charging, the Pixel 10 Pro is expected to reach up to 55% in about 30 minutes using a 30W charger.¹⁴ It's also getting an upgrade to Qi2 certified wireless charging, which means it can charge at speeds up to 15W.¹⁵ Wired charging is also getting a big boost, with the Pixel 10 Pro XL potentially reaching 70% in about 30 minutes with a 45W charger.¹⁴ For wireless charging, it is also rumored to be faster with Qi2 certification up to 25W, a significant jump from the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Our Verdict: The Upgrade is Worth It

Here's the lowdown: if you're on a Pixel 8 Pro, the jump to the Pixel 10 Pro is a no-brainer. The new Tensor G5 chip is a game-changer, bringing huge improvements in speed and battery life that you'll actually notice every day. You're also getting a brighter screen, faster charging, and some sweet new features like Qi2 for all your accessories.¹⁵

Now, choosing between the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 10 Pro might be a little tougher. But let's be real—the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL are devices finally delivering the major hardware upgrades we've been waiting for. So if you want the best of the best, with a phone that's built for the future of AI, the Pixel 10 Pro series is the way to go.

Find out more about the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL.

Takeaways

The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL have a new design, a brighter display, and improved storage, with a 1TB option.

There's an upgraded Tensor G5 chip and 16GB of RAM improve AI and performance, enabling a 100x Pro Res Zoom camera.

The new Pixel models have better battery life, faster charging, and will receive seven years of security updates.

Pixel 10 Pro & Pro XL

Advanced AI. Advanced Performance. Advanced Camera

Choose your colour

Moonstone

Jade

Porcelain

Obsidian

Choose your storage size

128 GB (Pro)

256 GB (Pro)

512 GB (Pro)

256 GB (Pro XL)

512 GB (Pro XL)

1TB (Pro)

1 TB (Pro XL)

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For perfectly edited photos, just ask.

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1. Gemini mobile app availability may vary by country and language. Check responses for accuracy. Internet connection required.

2. Reflects megapixels for camera sensor. Camera image resolution output may be less when using default settings. Results may vary. Not available for all cameras, apps, or modes.

3. Pixel updates for seven years from when the device first became available on the Google Store in the US. See g.co/pixel/updates for details. Results may vary. Not available for all cameras, apps, or modes.

4. HDR brightness measured at 100% on-pixel ratio. Peak brightness measured at 5% on-pixel ratio.

5. Not available for all apps or content. GORILLA and VICTUS are registered trademarks of Corning Incorporated.

6. Designed to comply with dust and water protection rating IP68 under IEC standard 60529 when each device leaves the factory, but the device is not water- or dust-proof. The accessories are not water- or dust-resistant. Water resistance and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and will diminish or be lost over time due to normal wear and tear, device repair, disassembly or damage. Phone is not drop/tumble proof and dropping your device may result in loss of water/dust resistance. Damage from drops, tumbles, slips and other external forces is not covered under warranty. Liquid damage voids the warranty. See g.co/pixel/water for details.

7. Storage specifications refer to capacity before formatting. Actual formatted capacity will be less.

8. Reflects megapixels for camera sensor. Camera image resolution output may be less when using default settings. Results may vary. Not available for all cameras, apps, or modes.

9. Reflects megapixels for camera sensor. Camera image resolution output may be less when using default settings.

10. Requires Internet connection and compatible devices, apps and surfaces. Results may vary depending on visual matches. Gemini mobile app availability may vary by country and language. Check responses for accuracy. Internet connection required.

11. Available in select countries and languages. Available to users aged 18+. Results may vary. Check responses for accuracy. Available in select countries and languages.

12. Estimate of typical capacity based upon testing and expected mobile behaviour.

13. Battery life depends upon many factors and usage of certain features will decrease battery life. Actual battery life may be lower. Over time, Pixel software will manage battery performance to help maintain battery health as your battery ages. See g.co/pixel/battery-tests and g.co/pixel/batteryhealth for details.

14. Wired charging rates are based upon use of the Google 45W USB-C® Charger plugged into a wall socket. Actual results may be slower. Adapters sold separately. See g.co/pixel/battery-tests and g.co/pixel/batteryhealth for details.

15. Compatible with Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro Fold for charging rates of up to 15 W, and a rate of up to 25 W for Pixel 10 Pro XL. See http://g.co/pixel/pixelsnap/ for more details.

16. Comparisons apply only to the Pixel 9 Pro.

Pixel 10 Pro lasts over 24 hours, and up to 100 hours with Extreme Battery Saver. It charges to 55% in about 30 minutes, while Pixel 10 Pro XL charges to 70% in about 30 minutes. Wired charging rates are based upon use of the Google 45W USB-C® Charger plugged into a wall outlet. Actual results may be slower. Adapters sold separately. Battery life depends upon many factors and usage of certain features will decrease battery life. Actual battery life may be lower. Over time, Pixel software will manage battery performance to help maintain battery health as your battery ages. See g.co/pixel/battery-tests and g.co/pixel/batteryhealth for details.

Pixel updates for seven years from when the device first became available on the Google Store in the US. See g.co/pixel/updates for details.