Pixel 10 Pro Review: One Year Later, Google's Phone Still Shines (Mostly)

It has been nearly a year since the Google Pixel 10 Pro became the primary smartphone for reviewer Zac Kew-Denniss, and despite its flaws, it remains his device of choice. Since August 28, 2025, the Pixel 10 Pro has been in near-constant use, showcasing a year filled with both impressive performance and frustrating inconsistencies, a common narrative for many Google Pixel devices.

The journey to the Pixel 10 Pro began with a desire for a more manageable phone size. After years with larger Samsung Ultra models, Kew-Denniss found himself ready for a device that could be used comfortably with one hand without compromising on camera quality. The Pixel 10 Pro, with its near-identical hardware to the larger XL model and superior camera system compared to Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra and even his wife's Galaxy S26 Ultra, seemed to fit the bill. Measuring larger and heavier than a base Galaxy S26, it still strikes a balance, offering an enjoyable viewing experience for photos and videos without causing hand strain.

A significant factor keeping the Pixel 10 Pro in daily use is its exclusive software features, which often surpass those offered by competitors. "Now Playing," a feature that identifies songs playing in the vicinity and displays them on the lock screen, is a prime example. Kew-Denniss notes that this convenience is sorely missed on other devices, a sentiment even echoed by his wife who still longs for it years after using a Pixel 4. "Call screening" is another standout, with Google's implementation proving more effective at identifying and handling spam calls than other manufacturers' attempts. Features like "Hold for Me" and "Direct My Call" also proved invaluable, notably during a recent internet service provider change, where the Pixel streamlined the process by labeling options and managing hold times.

Camera Performance and Sentimental Value

While the Pixel 10 Pro's camera hardware might not be the most avant-garde, its output is consistently natural and reliable. Kew-Denniss highlights that he can't recall missing a shot in the year he's owned the phone, preferring to add drama to well-captured images in post rather than trying to salvage over-processed ones. During a trip to Cornwall in 2026, the Pixel 10 Pro excelled at preserving memories, with photos of the beach exhibiting a warmth that was easy to enhance with the camera app's accessible white balance slider. Unlike Samsung's camera app, which buries similar controls, the Pixel makes adjustments quick and intuitive. The inclusion of modes like long exposure further enhances its creative capabilities, producing striking images of moving water, effectively replacing a dedicated Sony A6300 camera for many situations.

Beyond its technical merits, the Pixel 10 Pro has taken on significant sentimental value for Kew-Denniss. The phone has been instrumental in capturing countless memories of his cat, Bandit, who joined the family in October 2025. Having missed out on documenting his own childhood pets due to the lack of advanced smartphone technology at the time, Kew-Denniss is dedicated to not repeating that regret. The Pixel 10 Pro has captured nearly 3,000 photos of Bandit, consistently nailing focus and exposure, even on the challenging black fur, and avoiding the shutter lag that plagued his previous Samsung phones. This ability to reliably preserve precious moments has, in his view, justified the phone's price through sentimentality alone.

However, the Pixel 10 Pro experience is not without its frustrations. The phone has been plagued by a widespread battery-drain issue, significantly reducing battery life for some users, with daily usage dropping to as little as five or six hours between charges. This issue made the phone's already slow charging speeds nearly unbearable when frequent top-ups were necessary. While Google has stated the battery drain has been fixed, many users, including Kew-Denniss, report that performance, while improved, has not fully returned to its initial state. The frequency of such widespread issues on Google's devices remains a point of criticism.

Another persistent concern is the Tensor chip's tendency to overheat. While older Pixel models predictably became hot during demanding tasks like extended camera use or gaming, the Pixel 10 Pro experiences random overheating during mundane activities such as scrolling through social media or checking email. This inconsistency in thermal management, where demanding tasks sometimes leave the phone cool while lighter ones cause it to become uncomfortably hot, detracts from an otherwise positive user experience. These recurring hardware and software inconsistencies, despite the phone's excellent camera and unique software features, define the Pixel 10 Pro's year-long performance.