I missed you, Pixel 10 Pro XL

I’ve recently switched back to the Pixel 10 Pro XL after three months away, and I have one big regret: why didn’t I do it sooner?

After testing (and loving) Google’s latest and greatest for my 4.5-star full review in August, I continued using the 10 Pro XL as my main phone for a few more weeks.

However, as is inevitable for a phone reviewer, I soon had to switch to another device. First up was the underwhelming Motorola Edge 70, which I was keen to ditch, closely followed by the Poco F8 Ultra.

The F8 Ultra is an impressive phone for the money, but it has some pretty major downsides – especially on the software side. However, despite finding it increasingly frustrating to use, I continued using it for more than five weeks after my review was published.

So, was there a particular reason for my switching hesitation? Nah. I just couldn’t be bothered.

Oh, how I wish I’d spent 30 minutes sorting it out sooner. Since moving back to the Pixel 10 Pro XL last week, I’ve observed several key benefits and realised just how much I’d missed it.

Missing a slab of glass and metal might sound faintly tragic, but it’s true. Here are five ways in which it’s enhanced my life, plus one big reason why it’s not for everyone.

A sigh of software relief

Coming back to the Pixel software felt like returning home after a long trip. It’s reassuringly familiar, with everything in exactly the same place as I remember.

Android 16 is the finest mobile OS that Google has ever made, and I believe it’s at its best on Pixel phones. Before you protest, yes, I have previously said that I prefer Samsung’s One UI. People can change their minds, you know!

The combination of a slick UI, almost zero bloatware and powerful Pixel-exclusive features (hello, Now Playing and Call Screen!) makes it a joy to use.

You also get what I believe is the best suite of AI features on any phone, though I tend to avoid most of them as though my life depends on it.

The combination of a slick UI, almost zero bloatware and powerful Pixel-exclusive features makes it a joy to use

Throw in six more years of regular updates and being among the first in line for Android 17, and you can see why I love it so much.

An underrated design

When I first tried the Poco F8 Ultra, I said it had “the coolest design I’d ever seen”. How could switching to a ‘boring’ black Pixel 10 Pro XL be anything other than a design downgrade?

However, in the last couple of months, I’ve begun to appreciate the value of understated phone aesthetics. It’s what prompted me to describe the debate about colours as a “splash of distraction”.

In reality, the 10 Pro XL offers everything I’m looking for in a phone design. It’s sleek, distinctive and looks classy. A matt coating on the rear means you won’t be staring at fingerprint smudges, while an IP68 water and dust resistance rating means it’s built to last.

After almost two months of combined usage, the phone looks basically brand new. I’d be surprised if it’s much different after two years – especially if you use a case.

Oh, those cameras…

I’m no photography expert. If you are, you might be frustrated by the Pixel 10 Pro XL camera experience. Indeed, the likes of Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Oppo Find X9 Pro get much closer to being a credible DSLR replacement for keen photographers.

But that’s not me. I just want to open the camera app, snap a quick photo and be confident that the result will be good. In that regard, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is unmatched.

It’s so damn reliable. Wherever I take it – on a walk in the woods, to a gig or simply my favourite restaurant – it doesn’t miss a beat. Photos are almost always crisp, well-exposed and brimming with detail.

And it’s not all about that main lens, either. The 5x telephoto lens brings zoom photography to life, while the ultrawide lens avoids the all-too-common drop-off in image quality. The selfie camera is up there with the very best.

I just want to open the camera app, snap a quick photo and be confident that the result will be good. In that regard, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is unmatched

Elsewhere, portrait mode is capable of some stunning background blur, while Night Sight means you can still get great photos in low light.

Even the 100x Pro Res Zoom, which I ridiculed in my full review for its unrealistic AI upscaling, has proven capable of delivering effective results.

It’s a comprehensive camera system which, while not the absolute best on any phone, offers everything I could ask for.

3D face unlock FTW!

You know what they say – once you try 3D face unlock, you can’t go back!

Okay, so no-one actually says that. But after Android users were starved of a genuine alternative to Face ID (not a basic version that can be fooled with a photo), being able to call on it will never not be cool.

A handful of Android phones now offer this, but I think the Pixel is the most effective. It’s incredibly fast and reliable, to the extent that it’s often recognised my face before I’ve even known it’s happening.

Of course, the benefits go far beyond unlocking the phone. In the last week, I’ve been using my face to pay for stuff online and log into all manner of apps – including online banking. It’s been totally seamless.

It’s often recognised my face before I’ve even known it’s happening

The Pixel 10 Pro XL also has an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner that works very well. But why spend the second it takes to put my thumb to the screen when my face has already done the work?

Poor performance? Says who?

A lot’s been made of the performance of Google’s Tensor G5 chipset – or the lack thereof. After all, when you’re paying flagship prices, it’s reasonable to expect something that’s at least similar to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Instead, benchmarks suggest there’s a chasm between the two.

But remember, synthetic testing doesn’t always reflect a real-world experience. In fact, it hardly ever does. As someone who rarely uses their phone for mobile gaming (unless I’m reviewing a phone) or any other demanding workloads, the Pixel 10 Pro XL has more than met my performance needs.

It’s been fast, reliable and highly responsive since I returned, even when quickly switching between apps and multitasking. Some people might want more from a phone that costs so much, which is valid. But for everyday use, I have zero complaints.

A heavyweight phone – literally

Aside from price, I only have one real complaint about the Pixel 10 Pro XL: it’s too damn heavy.

At 232g, it’s one of the weightiest non-folding handsets on the market right now. Throw on the official Pixelsnap case that I always use, and you’re pushing 270g.

That can make it uncomfortably heavy, especially when trying to use one handed. After a couple of hours of doomscrolling (my favourite evening activity), I’d developed a blister on the little finger I was using to prop the phone up. Not good.

Is it a dealbreaker? To be honest, for some people, yes. In which case, I’d recommend going for the regular Pixel 10, which offers a lot of the same benefits within a more lightweight (and affordable) package.

After a couple of hours of doomscrolling (my favourite evening activity), I’d developed a blister on the little finger I was using to prop the phone up

A near-perfect reintroduction

But the Pixel 10 Pro XL is still the phone for me. There are plenty of great things that I haven’t mentioned, including a gorgeous 6.8-inch display, faster-than-expected 45W wired charging and built-in Qi2 wireless charging, which enables a wide range of Pixelsnap-compatible accessories.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL was crowned Tech Advisor’s best phone in our end-of-year awards. After switching back to it last week, I remembered why all over again.

What could beat it in 2026? Galaxy S26 and Pixel 11 handsets are likely to be in the best phones conversation once again.