Evaluated the Google Pixel 10 Pro: Exceptional but overlooked.

The Pixel 10 Pro, Google's latest flagship, is making waves in the smartphone market with its extensive AI support and innovative features. However, its battery life, a puzzling aspect of the phone, has become a topic of discussion.

The Pixel 10 Pro is equipped with a 4,870 mAh battery, a 3% increase over its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro's 4,700 mAh battery. Despite the larger battery, the battery life of the Pixel 10 Pro is not as impressive as some of its competitors. For instance, the Galaxy S25 Edge, which is 5.8 mm thick and weighs 163 grams, offers a better battery life. Similarly, the iPhone 17 Air, expected to have a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, also outperforms the Pixel 10 Pro in this regard.

The extensive use of AI features, such as Magic Cue or those in the camera app, significantly affects the Pixel 10 Pro's battery life. The camera app, for example, can take several seconds to optimize photos after capture, making it more challenging to capture multiple images at once, especially when capturing them in RAW.

However, the Pixel 10 Pro delivers good overall charging performance. It charges to full in 1 hour and 29 minutes, although this is five minutes slower than the Pixel 9 Pro. The Pixel 10 Pro introduces a new Pixelsnap magnetic wireless charging solution, which is the first native Qi2 magnetic charging for the Pixel series. However, it only features 15W magnetic charging, not the faster 25W Qi 2.2 charging offered by the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

The Pixel 10 Pro distinguishes itself from its competitors by focusing on AI support rather than extreme hardware specs. While phones like the iPhone 16 Pro and Galaxy S24+ offer high-end hardware and features, the Pixel 10 Pro prioritizes a durable build and advanced software integration. The phone is slightly heavier than its predecessor, but this is a trade-off for its robust construction.

One of the standout features of the Pixel 10 Pro is its ProRes Zoom feature, which offers fantastic zoom performance at both 30x and 100x. The camera, vibrant, detailed, and natural, does particularly well at handling different skin tones.

The Pixel 10 Pro also introduces Magic Cue, a suggestive reply feature based on the contents of your email, calendar, and other personal information in a handful of Google apps. This feature adds a level of personalisation to the phone, making it a unique offering in the smartphone market.

However, the inconsistent battery life of the Pixel 10 Pro is a concern for some users. The battery saver mode completely disables the 5G radio on the phone, and the phone's battery life is affected by its use with US network bands while traveling in Europe.

In conclusion, the Pixel 10 Pro is a smartphone that offers a unique blend of AI-powered features and innovative technology. While its battery life could be improved, its camera performance, AI capabilities, and robust build make it a compelling choice for those seeking a phone that offers more than just high-end hardware.