At a glance
1. Best overall
2. Best foldable
3. Best budget pick
4. Best value
5. Best mid-range
How to choose
It's kind of wild to see just how far Google's phones have come since the Nexus days. The company went from relying on other OEMs to showcase the power of Android to buying up a couple of phone divisions and releasing its own take. And now, the best Pixel phones span multiple price points and even form factors.
Of the current available options, our favorite pick is actually a two-fer. It's either the Pixel 10 Pro or the Pixel 10 Pro XL, as these phones share the same specs, with the exception of screen size and battery life. But the great thing about Google's current ensemble is that there's a Pixel phone for everyone, no matter what your budget and needs dictate.
At a glance
Best overall
Both the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL offer the best that Google has to offer, combining premium hardware with excellent software. It's just a matter of deciding on how big a screen or battery you want.
Best foldable
Google shocked many with its unveiling of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, introducing a phone that bears no resemblance to its predecessor besides the "G" on the back. It's a design that still holds up almost a year later, and performance isn't too shabby either.
Best budget pick
If you want a phone that provides about 80-90% of the same experience, but costs $300 less, the Pixel 9a is the way to go. It might look a bit odd with the new camera module, but that shouldn't deter you from keeping it in consideration.
Best value
Sure, the Pixel 9 Pro is a little over a year old, but it still packs a punch. Between the Tensor G4 and the excellent cameras, you might end up forgetting about the Pixel 10 Pro entirely. Even with a smaller battery and no Qi2 magnetic charging, the Pixel 9 Pro is still worthy of consideration for as long as Google keeps it around.
Best mid-range
Google's base model Pixel 10 is probably the best entry-level flagship model the company has released. It finally features a triple rear camera array, a brighter display, and even a larger battery. Plus, the Pixel 10 enjoys a few more features than what you'll find on its predecessor.
Best overall
Many thought that it couldn't get much better than the Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL, but Google seemingly managed to do just that with the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL. These are already some of our favorite phones of the year, despite only recently being released, and for good reason.
As we saw with last year's release, the specs are practically identical across the board, save for the battery, screen size, and storage. In doing so, Google tries to make the decision a bit easier, since there aren't any features that are locked to one or the other.
These are easily the best Pixel phones out there, providing you with an arsenal of tools to perform basically any task. What's nice about Google's decision to keep the specs the same is that you don't have to make sacrifices just because you want a smaller phone. That's been an issue with the best phones for years, so it's nice to see Google buck the trend and stand out.
Of the three aforementioned differences, the one that comes as a surprise is seeing Google ditch the 128GB model with the larger Pixel 10 Pro XL. If that doesn't matter, then you'll need to decide between a larger screen (6.3-inch vs. 6.8-inch) or a larger battery with slightly faster charging (4870mAh w/30W vs. 5200mAh w/ 45W).
Best foldable
Not every year can bring about the kind of design upgrades that we saw from the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. But that doesn't mean you should immediately dismiss the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, either.
On the surface, it might seem like Google is "playing it safe" with its latest foldable, and to a certain extent, it is. But if you look a bit deeper, it won't take long to see the Pixel 10 Pro Fold isn't just a carbon-copy of last year's model. Most notably, Google becomes the first company to release a foldable phone sporting an IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
In addition to that, the Tensor G5 seems to be more performant than we expected, as Google's transition to TSMC has gone smoothly. Throw in the larger battery and Pixelsnap magnetic wireless charging, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold should immediately look more appealing than its predecessor. Plus, even if you miss out on some of the pre-order deals, you still won't have to worry about paying extra, as Google managed to keep the same prices as last year.
Best budget pick
Google's Pixel 9a represents a "break" from the norm in terms of design. Instead of the camera bar on the back, the 9a's dual-camera system is simply embedded into the back, like the old days. This helps Google's budget phone stand out from the crowded budget scene in a completely different, but good, way.
Like the other devices in Google's 2024 lineup, the 9a comes equipped with the Tensor G4, but with "just" 8GB. As a result, performance drops a bit when compared to the Pixel 9, but not by very much. It's not until you get into the realm of Gemini features that you really notice the difference.
Part of that is due to the fact that while the Pixel 9a still includes Gemini Nano, it's a "limited version" called "Gemini Nano XXS." With this, Google removed some Gemini features with the 9a, such as the Pixel Screenshots app and Call Notes. That said, it still includes the more popular features like Gemini Live, Best Take, Magic Editor, and others.
Best value
It's kind of refreshing seeing Google keep last year's model around even when new models are released. Most of the time, this means you're able to get a flagship smartphone experience for less. And we suspect the same to be true of the Pixel 9 Pro.
At the time of writing, Google has yet to reduce the price through its own online storefront, but there are plenty of great Pixel 9 Pro deals to be found elsewhere. And we suspect it's only a matter of time before Google follows suit, but we don't expect Google's 2024 "goldilocks" phone to go anywhere just yet.
You might lament missing out on some of the new AI features afforded by the Tensor G5, but the reality is that for many, the Pixel 9 Pro is just as good. Neither of these is particularly great in the gaming department, and the 9 Pro does have a smaller battery, but beyond that, the experience will largely be the same.
Best mid-range
Rounding out our list of the best Google Pixel phones is the Pixel 10. Seeing this as the last entry might come as a surprise to some, and understandably so. It's just that the other entries on this list offer features and improvements that you won't find on the standard Pixel 10.
That said, the Pixel 10 is no slouch, and it's not quite the same scenario as the Pixel 9 from last year. For one, Google added a third camera to the redesigned rear camera housing on the Pixel 10, which is a first for the non-Pro Pixel lineup. Sure, it might not be the best triple camera array out there, but it's more of a "give and take" situation.
In his review, Android Central Managing Editor Derrek Lee says that the "Pixel 10 does a better job of justifying its price tag." Which, surprisingly enough, remains unchanged compared to the Pixel 9, even with the larger battery, Qi2 magnetic charging, and upgraded camera system.
How to choose
There's a Pixel for everyone
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It can seem a bit daunting when trying to decide which of these is the best Google Pixel phone for you. Obviously, if you want a foldable phone, then the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the only choice, with the only hiccup being that the phone won't actually be released until October.
The Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL are the obvious picks for those wanting the "best" that Google has to offer. These have all of the bells and whistles that you could want, leaving you only to choose between screen and battery size.
Then things get a bit murky, with the Pixel 9a, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 10, all vying for the attention of the budget-conscious. Each of these have their pros and cons, so it will ultimately come down to what you value more.
If you're okay with missing out on a few AI features but want a larger battery, the Pixel 9a is probably for you. Those who want to see what Gemini is all about, but don't want to deal with a steep price tag will enjoy the Pixel 10. And if you're looking for a way to join the Pixel family and don't care about having the latest and greatest, then the Pixel 9 Pro should be on your radar.
No matter what phone you decide on, just know that you're getting one of the best phones that money can buy. Google has come a long way in both the software and hardware in recent years, and it definitely shows.
