What I’ve always liked about Google is how the Pixel experience stays clean, smooth and free of all the clutter that many other phones pile on. You don’t get a bunch of random apps you’ll never open, just software that feels polished, smart and dependable. That simple approach is what makes Pixel special for so many Android users, and now with AI sprinkled across almost everything, the experience feels even more thoughtful in daily use.
This year with the Pixel 10, Google officially moves on from the Pixel 9 and tries to start a new chapter. At first glance, the design might give you déjà vu since it looks a lot like what we saw before, but there are actually a few meaningful changes once you look closely. The compact size of the regular Pixel 10 is still intact, which makes it feel like Google is quietly fighting for the survival of compact smartphones. The actual question, though, is whether these updates are enough to make you want to spend your money. I did get to try the Pixel 10 briefly, and while it is too early to deliver a full verdict, I do have some hands-on impressions to share.
Google Pixel 10: A Design You Know With Hardware You Don’t
To begin with, the Google Pixel 10 is available in four colours: Indigo, Frost, Lemongrass and Obsidian. Personally, I find the Lemongrass option a little too loud, though some might enjoy its boldness. My pick has to be Indigo, which looks elegant and striking when you see it in person. It has its own flashiness, but that’s exactly what makes me love it. The camera island saw a big redesign with the Pixel 9 series, and Google has carried forward that look with the Pixel 10. I actually think it works really well here.
When you hold the Pixel 10, it feels like a compact phone that still manages to give off a premium feel. The back panel has this buttery smooth finish that makes it very comfortable in the hand. The overall design hasn’t really changed much this year, but what’s new is under the hood. The Pixel 10 runs on the Google Tensor G5 chip, which is an obvious step up from last year. Of course, I’ll need to spend some proper time with it in real-world use to see how it performs with heat management and benchmarks.
What’s exciting is that Google has finally brought a triple camera setup to the standard model. The Pixel 10 comes with a 48MP main sensor with macro focus, a 13MP ultra-wide, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x zoom. On the front, there’s a 10.5MP Dual PD selfie camera with autofocus, which should make a difference in everyday shots.
Google has also introduced some interesting camera features like Super Res Zoom up to 20x, Camera Coach and Macro Focus. I tried Camera Coach briefly during the demo, and it’s actually quite handy. It helps you choose the best frame for your subject by giving useful suggestions, which makes the whole shooting process much easier. Check out how we used the camera coach feature in our video.
Pixel 10 Pro Fold: The New Foldable That Exists…Just Not in Stores Yet
When I got the invite for the Pixel 10 series launch, one of the first things I was looking forward to was the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Since I’ve been using a foldable for a while now, I was hoping to get some proper hands-on time to compare it with what Google has built. But Google had other plans. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold does exist, yet nobody seems to know when it will actually go on sale. To make things even more confusing, it wasn’t even displayed at the event like the rest of the lineup. Imagine being excited for a show and then finding out the main character didn’t even show up, that was me. I’ll save my full thoughts on this phone for another article once Google finally tells us when we can buy it and whether it’s actually worth the hype.
I’ve put together a separate article on the Google Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, along with a few accessories that Google launched but mysteriously decided not to put on display at the event. You can check that out here if you’re curious, and in the meantime, stay tuned to MySmartPrice because a detailed review of the Pixel 10 is coming soon.
