The Pixel 10 is an excellent phone, but the Pixel 10 Pro is where Google finally delivers on the promise of the Tensor chip. The Pro model isn’t just about a bigger screen or a different finish; it’s a dedicated canvas for the cutting-edge of Google’s on-device AI, delivering features that literally rewrite the rules of mobile photography and video.
After weeks with the Pixel 10 Pro, here is our deep dive into what makes this the smartest phone of 2025.
The Pro Hardware Edge
While the standard Pixel 10 stepped up its game, the Pro model reserves several key hardware components that provide the platform for its advanced capabilities:
| Feature | Pixel 10 Pro (Upgrade) | Pixel 10 (Standard) |
| Display | LTPO Super Actua (1–120Hz, 3,300 nits peak, 495 ppi) | Actua (60–120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, 422 ppi) |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5X | 12GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | UFS 4.0 (for all capacities) | UFS 3.1 / UFS 4.0 mix |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Cooling | Vapor Chamber Thermal System | Standard Graphite Sheets |
The two most crucial points here are the 16GB of RAM and the Vapor Chamber.2 The extra RAM gives the Tensor G5 the memory breathing room needed to run complex AI models like the full Gemini suite locally, while the vapor chamber ensures that the power-intensive features—like 8K Video Boost—don’t cause the phone to throttle in minutes.
The Camera: Not Just a Lens, a Studio
The Pixel 10 Pro uses superior camera hardware that is fully leveraged by its upgraded Tensor G5 TPU.
- The Sensors: The Pro features a larger, higher-resolution 48MP Ultrawide camera (with autofocus for Macro Focus) and a more advanced 50MP primary sensor (like the large GN2), which captures cleaner low-light images than the base model.3
- The Zoom Monster: The dedicated 5x Periscope Telephoto lens is pushed to its limit with Super Res Zoom up to 100x.4 While the last 50x is pure AI, the new Zoom Enhance algorithm, powered by the G5, uses multiple frames and local processing to achieve genuinely usable detail at absurd distances—a noticeable step up from previous generations.
- Pro Video Mode & 8K: For the first time, Pixel offers proper Pro Controls for stills and video (shutter speed, ISO, focus).5 But the star is Video Boost 2.0. This feature now supports true, stabilized 8K video recording.6 The heavy computational work is still offloaded to the cloud, but the on-device preview and processing are lightning-fast thanks to the G5’s new ISP.
Breakthrough AI: Gemini Unleashed
The Tensor G5 is a phenomenal leap in raw CPU performance, but its core purpose is to be the ultimate host for Gemini.7 The Pixel 10 Pro, with its 16GB of RAM, runs the most complete version of Google’s AI features:
- Pro-Level Editing: The new Reimagine tool in Google Photos allows for generative image filling and object manipulation with unprecedented speed and accuracy, letting you instantly change the sky, the lighting, or the weather in your photos.
- Live Translation: The upgraded Live Voice Translation is now nearly real-time, working instantly across both phone calls and in-person conversations, thanks to the G5’s dedicated language model processing.8
- Contextual Hubs: The new Magic Cue integrates even deeper on the Pro model, using the UWB chip to anticipate your needs based on location.9 Walk into your kitchen, and a widget may pop up with a suggested recipe or smart home controls, all handled securely on-device.
The Verdict: For the Pro-sumer
The Pixel 10 Pro is designed for the user who demands the absolute best image quality, the fastest AI features, and the highest level of performance stability.
The $999 price point is justified by the cumulative power of the:
- Vapor Chamber & 16GB RAM for sustained performance.
- Superior Camera Stack for true photography enthusiasts.
- Future-proof Connectivity (Wi-Fi 7 and UWB).10
While the standard Pixel 10 is an incredible phone for most people, the Pixel 10 Pro is a technological marvel that sets the bar for what a smartphone can achieve when hardware is explicitly designed to serve an AI-first software vision.