I'm a longtime iPhone user, but the Google Pixel 10 has me reconsidering my loyalty

1 day ago 8
EMBARGOED - Google Pixel 10 Pro
Joseph Maldonado/ZDNET

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

  • Google's PixelSnap is the biggest upgrade for maine connected the company's caller phones.
  • The $799 Pixel 10 present comes with a telephoto camera, a sizeable upgrade for the basal model.
  • Gemini AI is overmuch smarter and much susceptible than Siri.

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As a telephone reviewer, I can't instrumentality to a azygous telephone for long, but I've been connected the iPhone for a portion now. That's due to the fact that of the other convenience I get with my Mac Mini and a clump of MagSafe-compatible chargers, powerfulness banks, and different question accessories. 

I ever person 2nd thoughts astir shifting to Android due to the fact that it would hinder my workflow and necessitate caller backpack accessories. But the Google Pixel 10 is the archetypal smartphone successful months that I'm considering dropping iOS for. 

Also: Camera Coach connected Pixel 10 helps you instrumentality amended photos arsenic you sprout them

If you've been connected the obstruction astir switching from an iPhone, the caller Pixel 10 phones are the champion alternatives you tin bargain close now. The Pixel 10 seems similar the cleanable Android phone to power to. Here are 3 features that person sold this iPhone idiosyncratic connected the Pixel 10.

1. PixelSnap is simply a long-awaited addition

EMBARGO - Google Pixel 10 with PixelSnap
Kerry Wan/ZDNET

When I archetypal shifted from my iPhone 16 Pro to the iPhone 16e, I thought I'd miss ProMotion the most, but it was MagSafe that had made its people implicit the years. I realized however babelike I was connected MagSafe erstwhile I couldn't usage immoderate of those accessories with Apple's fund phone. 

I'm much assured astir switching to the caller Google Pixel 10 due to the fact that it volition not marque my MagSafe accessories ineffective.

Also: Everything announced astatine Made by Google 2025: Pixel 10 Pro, Fold, Watch 4, and more

The Google Pixel 10 bid includes a caller diagnostic called PixelSnap, a Qi2-based MagSafe alternate for Android. This means, theoretically, I tin usage my caller Baseus PicoGo 5,000mAh powerfulness bank, Shiftcam SnapStand Max, and much without immoderate issues. 

These are immoderate of my travel essentials, and I won't request to acquisition abstracted on-the-go accessories conscionable due to the fact that I got a caller phone. The summation of PixelSnap is my favourite upgrade connected the caller Pixels.

2. Smarter dependable assistant 

EMBARGO - Google Pixel 10 with PixelSnap Dock
Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Apple Intelligence hasn't been up to the mark, astatine slightest for me. While Visual Intelligence is useful, I similar Samsung's Galaxy AI suite of features connected my Galaxy Z Fold 7. Moreover, I've been utilizing Gemini Live much than expected and mode much than I person ever utilized Siri connected my iPhone. 

While Siri can't get reminders close oregon telephone my contacts successful 1 go, Gemini Live has helped maine signifier my country and lick regular beingness problems. It is present getting support for much Google apps similar Keep and Maps. So, I tin adhd my thoughts to Google Keep without needing to interaction my phone. Since I usage Google apps successful my workflow, Gemini makes things easier and much intuitive. 

Also: PixelSnap is the MagSafe for Android phones we've been waiting for - here's our archetypal look

While I tin entree Gemini connected my iPhone without immoderate issues, Google's caller Pixel-exclusive AI features marque a beardown lawsuit for switching. I'm looking guardant to experiencing the caller Magic Cue -- which is expected to present much personalized and contextual AI -- and Camera Coach, which is touted to assistance constitute shots better. 

3. Telephoto camera connected the basal model

EMBARGO - Google Pixel 10 Pro Camera Coach AI
Kerry Wan/ZDNET

The basal iPhone 16 doesn't person a telephoto camera, whereas the iPhone 16 Pro sports a comparatively tiny 5x periscope sensor. I've utilized the latter, and it struggles successful debased light. To compare, the Google Pixel 10 Pro features a larger sensor with 5x optical zoom, and the basal Pixel 10 besides gets an further zoom lens with the aforesaid optical zoom.

I'm not expecting exceptional zoom prime from the Pixel 10's telephoto camera due to the fact that it is simply a smaller sensor. However, it should beryllium amended than the iPhone 16's 5x integer zoom. I similar shooting architecture photos, and having 5x optical zoom connected a $799 telephone is simply a invited addition.

Also: Why I urge this $400 Google Pixel implicit competing models from Samsung and OnePlus

Apart from these 3 features, I'm besides looking guardant to going backmost to the Pixel for each the Google extras. From amusive features similar Add Me and Best Take to utile Circle to Search and Magic Eraser, each of them adhd to the Google Pixel experience. While I'm not a instrumentality of comparatively thicker bezels, the Pixel 10's brighter and stronger show is different nice-to-have summation that should marque the acquisition better.

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