Living with the Google Pixel 10 Means a Flagship Smartphone at Half the Price

Google released the Pixel 10 a few months ago alongside its more expensive siblings, starting at $799 for the base model. But fast forward to today, and the holiday deals have arrived, bringing unlocked versions down to a mere $499 after redeeming the on-page coupon. At that price, this phone has capabilities that rival smartphones that cost twice as much, making it an easy choice for anyone who is devoted to the Android platform.

When you pick up the Pixel 10, the build quality is immediately apparent. The frame is constructed of recycled aluminum, and the back is matte glass, which is significantly more resistant to fingerprints than the glossy finishes found on many other phones. It weighs 204 grams, is 8.6mm thick, and feels robust yet not too heavy. Google claims it is waterproof and dustproof up to IP68, and the front is scratch-resistant thanks to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

The 6.3-inch Actua display manages to hit a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, making it perfectly legible in direct sunlight even, while the colors look vivid, and scrolling is silky smooth thanks to the adaptive refresh rate going up to 120Hz. Day-to-day tasks like browsing, streaming, or simply reading feel totally responsive and enjoyable on this screen.

Google incorporated the Tensor G5 chip into the Pixel 10, which was created using TSMC’s 3nm process. For day-to-day use, performance appears to be adequate, including app opening and multitasking. It also keeps nice and cool even after extended use, which was an issue with previous generations. It ships with Android 16 out of the box and promises a remarkable 7 years of OS upgrades and security patches to keep it feeling current until 2032.

The 4,970mAh battery lasts a whole day if you use it lightly. Charging is a quick 37W wired or 23W wireless, and Google has even included built-in magnets so you can charge it wirelessly with Qi2 accessories.

The Pixel phones have always been known for their cameras, and the Pixel 10 is no exception, with a triple rear camera configuration. The 50MP main sensor captures detailed images in bright light; the ultrawide handles wide subjects, and a new 5x telephoto lens provides nice sharp zoomed shots up to 20x with Super Res Zoom. Night Sight performs effectively in low light, delivering crisp images with natural hues. Things like Camera Coach provide real-time composition tips.

Gemini AI appears in the software occasionally, assisting you with tasks like as summarizing articles, rewriting communications, and even altering photographs. Tools like Magic Editor make it simple to eliminate unneeded elements, and on-device processing keeps loads of functionality private and fast.