The Google Pixel 10 lineup isn’t essentially the most thrilling {hardware} improve I’ve ever seen.
Sure, Qi2 charging is great, and I’m at all times completely satisfied to get bigger batteries, however, for essentially the most half, you’ll be hard-pressed to seek out important enhancements from final yr’s Pixel 9 Professional XL.
That’s not a destructive, and I’m nice with Google constructing off a profitable yr with out making too many adjustments.
Nevertheless, I grilled Samsung for coasting with the Galaxy S25 collection. And if I have been being truthful, I’d should do the identical with Google — however I received’t.
Each firms have the same gross sales pitch: software program is the rationale you’ll wish to improve. However whereas Samsung let me down with Galaxy AI, Google’s completed the alternative with Gemini.
Samsung doesn’t get a go for its lack of {hardware} innovation, however Google does — right here’s why.
Google’s solely run it again as soon as
I’m not bored with the design
I wouldn’t be as annoyed with Samsung if it had completed extra with the Galaxy S25 Extremely. Its design is essentially unchanged from the Galaxy S22 Extremely.
I can forgive an organization sticking with a profitable design for a second yr, or perhaps a third, however 4 years is pushing it.
Samsung didn’t even hassle with the slight battery bump that Google did, giving us the same-sized cells because the earlier yr.
Sure, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is extra environment friendly, and battery life improved barely, however that’s nothing in comparison with what a bodily improve in capability would accomplish with the identical optimizations.
I not have to determine which device to make use of or spend time discovering the right immediate.
Google didn’t have a lot to vary from the design and {hardware} of the Pixel 9 Professional XL. The corporate loved elevated success and gross sales, and I used to be completely satisfied we bought one other era of Pixel {hardware} and software program not suffering from points.
The less huge swings Google takes, the higher, particularly when it’s already engaged on a profitable platform.
All advised, I don’t thoughts Google coming again with the identical design for a second yr. If we get to the Pixel 12 and there are not any significant upgrades, I’ll have extra to say.
The software program guarantees are literally value it
Google Gemini makes it work
In contrast to Samsung’s pitch with Galaxy AI, Google’s Gemini enhancements on the Pixel 10 are the AI enhancements I’ve been ready for.
Magic Cue is sort of a good clipboard throughout your entire person expertise, offering info after I want it.
If I’m on the telephone with an airline about an upcoming journey, Magic Cue will populate all of my flight info. If I’m calling an organization about an order, it’ll pull up the affirmation quantity, so I don’t should fumble round wanting by way of quite a few emails.
Magic Cue can even understand it after I’m speaking with buddies about an upcoming occasion.
Let’s say I’ve a golf outing deliberate. If I’m texting a pal about it, and we’re discussing altering tee instances, it ought to acknowledge the calendar occasion and pull up the knowledge for the membership — all with out me leaving Google Messages.
I can use pure language to edit photographs, just by telling Gemini what I need completed to a picture. It’s all a part of Google’s mindset shift for AI.
I not have to determine which device to make use of or spend time discovering the right immediate.
As a substitute of worrying about easy methods to get AI to do issues for me, it’s within the background, aiding with the duties I’m finishing myself.
Google nonetheless has an issue
Historical past shouldn’t repeat itself
I could also be giving Google a go for the second, however it could possibly nonetheless frustrate me in a means Samsung did earlier this yr.
Throughout my hands-on session, I used to be repeatedly advised how most of the on-device capabilities have been made attainable by the brand new Tensor G5.
It’s a line I heard from Samsung as properly, when it was speaking concerning the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, making most of the multimodal enhancements attainable.
If Google ultimately tells me my $1,200 Pixel 9 Professional XL from a yr in the past isn’t able to its newest and biggest Gemini options, I’m going to be upset.
It’s the identical downside I had when rumors surfaced that the Galaxy S24 Extremely wouldn’t get the total slate of recent Galaxy AI enhancements, and I wouldn’t deal with Google any in a different way.
I’m prepared to just accept that newer options could also be a bit slower or want cloud help, however don’t inform me that premium {hardware} from final yr is incapable of one thing like Magic Cue, particularly once we’re given 16GB of RAM to assist futureproof the system.
I received’t get on Google till I see which older gadgets get the newer options, however I’m already seeing the corporate lay the groundwork for denying older Pixels the newest Gemini has to supply.
I’m extra excited than I believed I’d be
Once I heard rumors concerning the Pixel 10, I wasn’t excited. It appeared like a reasonably customary improve.
I didn’t assume Google wanted to do a lot this yr, and I used to be glad to see the corporate construct on the success of the Pixel 9.
Nevertheless, after I used it and noticed all of the significant AI enhancements, I bought excited. I’m not saying I’m offered on AI simply but as a means so as to add worth to a smartphone, however I’m prepared to offer Google the good thing about the doubt.