10 years of Pixel: I ranked Google’s flagship phones from worst to best

As we celebrate ten years of Google Pixel smartphones, it’s only natural to want to rank our favorites.

I feel strongly about the lineup, and Google’s journey from the original Pixel to the current Pixel 10 series wasn’t always smooth.

Whether you’ve been there from the beginning or jumped on the Pixel bandwagon recently, there’s plenty to talk about.

Here’s my ranking of all the Pixel smartphones from the last 10 years.

10

Google Pixel 6

Pain, nothing but pain

No phone in the last ten years has raised my blood pressure as high as the Pixel 6.

I was excited about Google’s redesign, as the company desperately needed a fresh approach to its smartphones.

I didn’t mind the polarizing design, and I got behind Google’s reasoning for switching to Tensor chipsets. Google’s Android skin was also getting an overhaul with Material You on Android 12. The stage was set for success.

Unfortunately, the result was a disaster. The Pixel 6 was plagued by several hardware issues, including a finicky fingerprint sensor and a first-generation Tensor that overheated.

The modem’s performance was also spotty, with many users experiencing issues with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

Making matters worse, the software wasn’t ready for prime time, and I had to perform a hard reset on my Pixel 6 at least twice a day. It took months for Google to sort out all the issues, and it left a bad taste in my mouth.

9

Google Pixel 7 Pro

Turning things around slowly

After the disastrous Pixel 6, I was more cautious with the Pixel 7 Pro.

Thankfully, I didn’t encounter any of the software issues I had with the previous version. The phone ran well, and Google made clear strides to improve hardware quality.

Unfortunately, the Tensor G2 needed more work. The chipset could still run hot on occasion, and the battery life suffered as a result.

I’d consider it a good day if I got more than five hours of screen-on time from my Pixel 7 Pro, and I wasn’t alone in my suffering.

The design also felt unfinished. The edges were a bit rough, and the phone lacked character.

It wasn’t a painful experience to use like the Pixel 6, but it’s forgettable, earning its spot towards the bottom of the rankings.

8

Google Pixel 5

Pixel’s awkward teenage phase

I agreed that Google had to do something after the release of the Pixel 4 XL. The company wasn’t going to win by competing spec-for-spec with Samsung and others.

Google decided to let its software and camera experience take center stage, but what we got was an awkward compromise.

I’d never call the Pixel 5 a bad value, because Google lowered the MSRP to $700, but its spec sheet made it an oddity.

The Pixel 5 was powered by a Snapdragon 765 chipset, a midrange SoC that made its way into many devices that year.

It was capable, but Google’s flagship past meant you could pick up a new, objectively more powerful Google Pixel 4 on its site for less than you could a Pixel 5. It led to some unusual comparisons, and the Pixel 5 struggled to gain traction.

7

Google Pixel 3

Not building on the success

I knew Pixel designs were always going to be quirky, but I wasn’t ready for what Google had in mind with the Pixel 3.

The selfie camera cutout was ridiculous, and the Pixel 3 didn’t build on any of the charm of the outgoing Pixel 2 XL.

I appreciated some of the colors Google released, but it never quite matched the impact of the previous phone.

Granted, the Pixel 2 XL was a hard act to follow, but Google could’ve stuck with a bit more of the design.

You’ll often hear criticism of Pixels that no longer applies.

Some people complain that the devices don’t age well as updates roll out. That started with the Pixel 3.

It was limited to 4GB of RAM, which was ridiculous for a flagship device even in 2018. It hindered the phone over time, and it never held up as well as its contemporaries, despite including a capable Snapdragon 845 chipset.

6

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

A refined Pixel takes the stage

Earlier on this list, I criticized the Pixel 7 Pro for lacking soul, and many people echoed that sentiment about the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Yes, it looks more like a generic smartphone than previous Pixels had, but I minded less because the design is sleek and premium.

It feels like a finished product, and for the second straight year, everything worked as it should. The hardware provided a smooth and snappy experience, and the software was reliable — a quality that Google hadn’t been known for in the previous few years.

Its Tensor G4 chipset stayed cool, and my Pixel 9 Pro XL consistently gave me outstanding battery life. Yes, I wish the gaming performance were a little better, but for most users, it was hard to find flaws in the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Google targeted its device towards more casual users, hoping to compete better against iPhones on carrier store shelves, and it worked. Sales improved, and the resulting device was solid.

5

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

More of the same, and that’s a good thing

This year’s Pixel 10 Pro XL is similarly outstanding. I get silky-smooth performance from the Tensor G5 chipset, and I’m experiencing excellent battery life so far in testing.

The Super Actua display on the Pixel 10 Pro XL is bright and vibrant, and I have no problems viewing it in direct sunlight. The speakers are improved for 2025, and I love the new Moonstone colorway.

Google didn’t make any exciting design changes this year, but it didn’t need to. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is sleek and premium, and I’m enjoying the changes Google made to its software.

Material 3 Expressive is gorgeous, and the company made meaningful advances with AI.

It’s too early to give a final judgment on the Google Gemini improvements, but the initial results are promising.

I’m enjoying using Magic Cue, and I can see how Camera Coach will help people take better photos. It puts AI in the background of the user experience, and I’m all for it.

4

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Putting all the pieces together

If the Pixel 6 was the start of Google’s transformation, the Pixel 8 Pro was the first time I could see the light.

It was an excellent device, and if I didn’t review phones for a living, I’d still be using my Pixel 8 Pro.

Its Super Actua display did away with years of substandard panels, especially for a flagship device. It was gorgeous and vibrant, finally rivalling the screens on the Samsung Galaxy phones.

The software experience was buttery on the Pixel 8 Pro, thanks to the Tensor G3 chipset and 12GB of RAM. I didn’t experience any overheating issues, unlike on previous Tensor-powered phones, and I consistently got over 8 hours of screen-on time from a single charge — more in line with what I expect for flagship prices.

I loved the design as well. It was classically Pixel while feeling refined. The Pixel 8 Pro is excellent, and it deserves its spot on the list.

3

Google Pixel 4 XL

The return of the Panda

If there is a controversial pick on this list, it’s the Pixel 4 XL, which appears surprisingly high in my ranking.

My Pixel 4 XL experience wasn’t entirely smooth sailing, and I was disappointed that Google eliminated the physical fingerprint reader.

However, I loved the design, and the phone performed well. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset screamed, and its performance aged more gracefully than previous Pixels.

Google brought back the Panda colorway, with an accented power button. The phone was gorgeous, especially with its matte frosted glass.

Unfortunately, some software updates were not kind to my Pixel 4 XL. I developed an issue on Android 11 where the face unlock wouldn’t work correctly, prompting me to clean a sensor that was already spotless.

Google eventually was able to right the ship, but I can understand if the Pixel 4 XL lands lower on your list.

2

Google Pixel XL

But only in Really Blue

I wanted to give the Google Pixel XL the top spot, but I couldn’t. It’s an outstanding device that will always have a special place in my heart.

It’s a reminder of when Google’s version of Android meant stock Android, and the design was excellent.

It featured a gorgeous and vibrant display, and its Snapdragon 821 chipset got the job done. There were even flashes of camera brilliance that would come later.

The original Pixel XL is one of those phones I’d still carry around if I could. It was the height of Pixel design, and you could tell from 20 feet away that I was using a Pixel.

I’m glad Google brought the Indigo colorway back for the Pixel 10, but nothing can recapture that original feeling.

1

Google Pixel 2 XL

The phone that changed it all

My heart wanted to give the original Pixel XL my top spot, but my head won the argument. The Google Pixel 2 XL deserves to be at the top of the list. It changed the way we think about smartphone photography.

I vividly remember the first time my friend showed me a portrait photo from the Pixel 2 XL, and I was amazed by the clarity and edge detection. The Panda colorway was awesome, and the design still screamed Pixel.

The phone’s overall performance wasn’t bad either. Its Snapdragon 835 was snappy, and it featured a wonderful 6-inch OLED display with a warm color tone.

If you’re a fan of Google smartphones and don’t like the Pixel 2 XL, we can’t be friends.

Honorable mention

I focused on the main Pixel line for this list, but the Pixel A-series is worth mentioning.

The Pixel 6a was a revelation, providing a powerful Tensor chipset and an outstanding camera at a midrange price.

Yes, the A-series previously brought better cameras at lower price points, but the Pixel 6a added performance.

When you factor in that it could have been purchased new for $300 at one point in its life cycle, the Pixel 6a was tough to beat.

A Pixel for everyone

Google’s smartphone journey wasn’t always perfect, but it was an interesting one. I’m sure your list may vary from mine, but that’s part of the fun.

Google’s current crop of flagship smartphones is outstanding, and if you haven’t tried a Pixel in some time, the Pixel 10 series is for you.