In summary
- The Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL get at least 14 exclusive features
- Can be broadly separated into three categories: cameras, display and connectivity
- The Pixel 10 Pro XL gets one bonus
The Google Pixel 10 range has been announced, and three of the four smartphones will be available to buy from 28 August. So how do you decide which to opt for?
Putting aside the subtle difference in the designs (polished back with satin finish or silky matte back with polished finish) and battery capacities, there are some key differences between the Google Pixel 10 and the Pixel 10 Pro. We’re including the Pixel 10 Pro XL with the latter.
Here’s a straight list of all of the Pixel 10 Pro specs that the Pixel 10 won’t be getting. We’ll follow this up by summarising some of the main differences.
- Better cameras
- 8K video
- Video Boost
- Night Sight Video
- Hi-res display
- LTPO display
- Higher peak brightness
- Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
- Thread compatibility
- Temperature sensor
- Wi-Fi 7
- Qi2.2
- Less RAM
- Fewer storage options
That’s the full list of differences between the Pixel 10 and the Pixel 10 Pro, based on specs supplied by Google. However, they can broadly be organised into these three key areas of difference.
Pixel 10 Pro has better cameras across the board
The Pixel 10 may now have the same number of cameras as the Pixel 10 Pro, but don’t be under any illusion. All four of the Pixel 10 Pro’s cameras are better.
The Pro’s main camera has a larger, sharper 1/1.3″ 50Mp sensor, compared to 1/2″ and 48Mp in the Pixel 10. Ditto the ultrawide, which in the Pixel 10 Pro is a 1/2.55″ 48Mp sensor with Macro Focus capability. The Pixel 10’s is a 1/3.1″ 13Mp lens, and it requires its main camera to pull Macro Focus duty.
When it comes time to get close to your subject from afar, the Pixel 10 Pro can lean on a larger and sharper 1/2.55″ 48Mp sensor. The Pixel 10 has to make do with a 1/3.2″ 10.8Mp alternative. While both can hit a 5x optical zoom, those superior sensors allow the Pro to capture up to 100x Pro Res (digital) Zoom shots, compared to the Pixel 10’s 20x Super Res Zoom.
Even the selfie camera is better on the Pro – a 42Mp sensor with a wider 103-degree field of view. The Pixel 10’s selfie cam uses a 10.5Mp sensor with a 95-degree field of view.
It’s not just a matter of hardware, either. The Pixel 10 Pro can grab 8K video, whereas the Pixel 10 taps out at 4K. Google’s Video Boost and Night Sight Video features are exclusive to the Pro range, too.
Pixel 10 Pro has a better display
The Pixel 10 Pro also has a flat-out better screen than its Pro brother. Let’s take the Pro XL’s larger 6.8-inch AMOLED out of the equation for a second, and directly compare the two 6.3-inch screens.
With the Pixel 10 Pro, you’re getting an LTPO panel that can scale right down from 120Hz to 1Hz, making it far more energy efficient. The Pixel 10 screen can only scale down from 120Hz to 60Hz.
The Pixel 10 Pro screen is sharper, too, with a resolution of 1280 x 2856 (for 495ppi) compared to the Pixel 10’s 1080 x 2424 (422 PPI).
Finally, the Pixel 10 Pro’s screen boasts a superior peak brightness of 3300 nits, compared to the Pixel 10’s 3000 nits. The Pro can also hit 2200 nits in HDR scenarios, compared to the Pixel 10’s 2000 nits.
Pixel 10 Pro has superior connectivity
Most of the rest of the Pixel 10 Pro’s advantages can broadly be gathered under the heading of ‘connectivity’.
Unlike the Pixel 10, it’s got a dedicated Ultra-Wideband chip for precise short-range object tracking. This allows Google’s Find My Device feature to work in a much more nuanced way, leading to straight to those lost keys rather than placing you in the rough vicinity.
It also opens up the possibility for secure keyless entry systems on cars and properties.
The Pixel 10 Pro also has exclusive access to Thread networking technology – the low-power mesh networking protocol that’s become popular among smart home device makers. Using this, the Pro can directly control Thread-enabled accessories.
Like the Pixel 9 Pro, the Pixel 10 Pro has exclusive access to a temperature sensor, which lets you record the temperature of objects and even people.
One benefit that’s exclusive to the Pixel 10 Pro XL is Qi2.2 compatibility, which enables it to charge at 25W (rather than 15W) using Google’s own Pixelsnap Charger.
link