Google has had quite a journey over the past few years when it comes to smartphones. The company started off by relying on established OEMs to make its devices and showcase its vision of Android and followed it up by acquiring the hardware divisions of other brands. It seems all that effort was worth it, as the best Google Pixel phones of today are in general, some of the best smartphones you can buy in the market. The current Pixel line-up is arguably Google's finest till date and spans multiple price segments and even form factors.
As feature-laden as nearly all the Pixel smartphones are, our favorite is kind of a two-fer, namely the Pixel 10 Pro or the Pixel 10 XL. The two only differ in terms of screen size and battery endurance (along with charging speeds), but otherwise, are top-tier smartphones that have the exact same hardware specifications. Apart from them, Google's portfolio has a device suited for just about everyone's requirements and budget, including the affordable Pixel 10a and the futuristic Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
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 loaded with AI-powered goodness. 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 bore no resemblance to its predecessor besides the "G" on the back. It's a design that still holds up almost a year later with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and performance isn't too shabby either.
Best budget pick
If may be an incremental update over the previous-gen model, but that doesn't change the fact that the Google Pixel 10a is a fantastic affordable smartphone. It has a minimal, flat design, faster wired & wireless charging, superb cameras, and incredible software support.
Best value
The Pixel 9 Pro is a little over a year old but still packs a punch. With the Tensor G4 and the excellent cameras, you might just forget the Pixel 10 Pro entirely. It has a a smaller battery and no Qi2 support, but is still worthy of consideration.
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 system, a brighter display, and even a larger battery. The Pixel 10 also has a few more features you won't find on its predecessor.
Best overall
Many thought that it couldn't get much better than the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL, but Google has managed to do that with the Pixel 10 Pro and the Pixel 10 Pro XL. The two continue to be among our favorite phones even though they have been out for quite some time now, and for good reason.
As we saw with last year's series, the specifications are practically identical across the board, save for the battery, screen size, and storage. In doing so, Google tried making 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 any sacrifices just because you want a more compact phone. That's been an issue with the best Android phones for many years, so it's nice to see Google buck the trend and stand out.
Of the three aforementioned differences, the one that comes off as surprising is seeing Google ditch the 128GB base model with the larger Pixel 10 Pro XL. If that doesn't matter much to you, then you'll need to decide between a larger screen (6.3-inch vs. 6.8-inch) or a bigger battery with slightly faster charging (4870mAh w/30W vs. 5200mAh w/ 45W) speeds.
Best foldable
Not every year can bring about the kind of major design upgrade(s) that we saw come with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. But that does not mean you should immediately dismiss the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, either.
On the surface, it might seem like Google has opted to "play it safe" with its latest foldable, and to a certain extent, it has. 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 became the first company to release a foldable phone sporting an IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
In addition to that, the Tensor G5 silicon 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 to the mix, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold should immediately look a lot more appealing than its predecessor. Even if you miss out on the regular Google Pixel deals, you still won't have to worry about paying extra cash, as Google has managed to keep the same prices as last year.
Best budget pick
The "new" Google Pixel 10a has drawn a lot of flak ever since it was launched, with most dismissing it outright. To some extent it's true, the affordable smartphone is so similar to its predecessor that it's only obvious to question why it even exists in the first place. However, if you look closely, you'll notice that the subtle upgrades are actually quite nice.
Even though it looks virtually identical to the same design as the last-gen model, the Pixel 10a now has a fully flat rear, with the pill-shaped dual-lens camera setup sitting completely flush. It perfectly complements the smartphone's flat 6.3-inch pOLED panel, which is now secured by stronger Corning Gorilla Glass 7i and also has improved peak brightness.
If you were to compare the Pixel 10a vs. Pixel 9a, you'll notice that the internals of these two smartphones are exactly the same. But even then, you can expect this phone to work perfectly fine for everyday usage. And it'll continue to do that for years to come, thanks to Google's industry-leading software update policy.
Although the Pixel 10a doesn't have the funky snap-on wireless charging support like its pricier siblings, you do get faster wired and wireless charging speeds in comparison to the Pixel 9a. These are all meaningful improvements that make the Pixel 10a something you should consider if you want a well-rounded Android phone that doesn't break the bank, even more so because it costs the same as the previous-gen model.
Best value
It's extremely refreshing to see Google keep last year's model(s) around even with the introduction of the new series. 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, provided you can wait out for a good time to buy the smartphone.
At the time of writing, Google has yet to reduce the price through its own online storefront, but there are numerous Pixel 9 Pro deals to be found via third-party storefronts such as Amazon. Moreover, as we draw nearer to festive-season sales and limited-time shopping events, we can expect the Google Pixel 9 Pro to get a bit more affordable. And with long software support, you can expect Google's 2024 "goldilocks" phone to be around for quite a while.
You might lament missing out on some of the new AI-based benefits afforded by the Tensor G5 chipset, but the fact remains that for many, the Pixel 9 Pro is going to be just as good. Neither is particularly wonderful in the gaming department, and the 9 Pro does have a smaller battery but otherwise, the overall experience is largely going to be the same.
Best mid-range
Rounding out our list of the best Google Pixel phones is the base Pixel 10. Seeing this as the last entry might come as a surprise to some, and understandably so. It is just that the other entries on this list offer features and improvements that you won't find on the standard Google Pixel 10.
That being said, the Google Pixel 10 is definitely no slouch, and it's not quite the same scenario as the Google Pixel 9 from last year. For one, Google added a third camera to the redesigned rear camera housing of the Pixel 10, a first for the non-Pro Pixel model in the line-up. 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 noted that the "Pixel 10 does a better job of justifying its price tag." Quite surprisingly though, the price remains unchanged compared to the Pixel 9, even with the addition of a larger battery, Qi2 magnetic charging, and the upgraded rear camera setup.
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 the above-mentioned devices 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.
The Pixel 10 Pro and the Pixel 10 Pro XL are the obvious choices for those wanting the "best" that Google has to offer. These have all the bells and whistles you could ever want, leaving you only to choose between screen and battery size.
Then things get a bit murky, with the Pixel 10a, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 10, all vying for the attention of the budget-conscious buyer. Each has its own 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 10a is probably for you. Yes, the improvements are minimal at best, but this is still a solid affordable phone that checks all the right boxes. If you want to see what Gemini is all about but don't want to deal with a steep price tag, you'll really 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, the Pixel 9 Pro should be on your radar.
No matter what phone you decide on, just know that you'll be getting one of the best phones that money can purchase. Google has come a long way in both the software and hardware in recent years, and it definitely shows.
