4 reasons I won’t upgrade my Google Pixel 8 to Pixel 10

Upgrading to a new smartphone every year or two has become the norm, but what if the phone you already have is good enough?

My Google Pixel 8 has been with me for a while now, and with the release of the Pixel 10, the upgrade itch felt real. But a serious look at my trusty Pixel 8 reminded me of just how much it has to offer.

The simple fact is, my current phone is far from obsolete.

With Google’s class-leading software update policy, a robust camera, and a metal-glass sandwich that feels both high-end and durable (and several misses on Pixel 10), I see no reason to abandon my current device for the Pixel 10.

4

Pixel 8 will still receive several major OS updates

When the Pixel 8 launched, it came with the latest and greatest Android 14. Now, here we are with the Pixel 10 running on Android 16, and my Pixel 8 is right there with it. It feels just as new, and this isn’t a coincidence.

Google offers seven years of OS updates on the Pixel series. It means my phone, a device that’s already seen two major Android versions, will continue to receive the latest and most secure software all the way up to Android 21.

This single commitment has completely changed the game.

It ensures that my Pixel 8 won’t feel obsolete or insecure for a very long time. For a user like me, that’s a more valuable feature than any minor hardware upgrade.

3

Pixel 8 design feels premium and ergonomic

When I look at the Pixel 10, I can’t help but notice how much it borrows from its predecessors – and how little it improves on what the Pixel 8 already does so well.

My Pixel 8 still feels every bit as premium as the new model, with its elegant glass back and sturdy metal frame. The materials are essentially the same, yet the ergonomics experience is miles apart.

The Pixel 8’s design, with its perfectly rounded edges and gentle curves, just melts into my hands. In contrast, during my short stint with Pixel 10, I found its flatter sides less comfortable to grip.

Still, these details don’t matter much if you use a case all the time. But it’s still an observation I wanted to point out.

2

Pixel 8 camera still packs a punch

One of the most compelling reasons to stick with my Pixel 8 is its camera, which is still a creative powerhouse.

Google’s computational photography has always been the real star of the show, and the Pixel 8’s hardware, with a fantastic main sensor and a versatile ultrawide, is more than capable of capturing stunning images.

When I look at the Pixel 10’s camera specs, I see a lot of the same. The main and ultrawide lenses have the same aperture as the Pixel 8, and the selfie camera is identical as well.

Even the video recording capabilities are unchanged, with both phones maxing out at 4K resolution at 60 fps.

The only significant hardware addition on the Pixel 10 is a telephoto lens, a feature that’s nice to have, but not something I use often enough to justify a full upgrade.

My Pixel 8 already has all the camera features I truly care about, and thanks to Google’s ongoing software updates, it will continue to deliver excellent results for years to come.

1

The improvements on the Pixel 10 are underwhelming

Looking at the Pixel 10’s specs sheet, the improvements feel more like fine-tuning than a true leap forward.

The display on the Pixel 8 is still fantastic, and while the Pixel 10’s display is technically better with higher brightness and contrast, it is still not the kind of dynamic LTPO panel that can drop to 1Hz for extreme power savings.

The story is the same with the battery life. Google advertises the same ‘24+ hours’ for the Pixel 10 as it did for the Pixel 8, and the charging speed bump from 27W to 30W is so incremental it’s barely worth mentioning.

And then there is the new Tensor G5 chip. Yes, Google finally switched from Samsung to TSMC, which should, in theory, bring massive performance gains and efficiency.

However, benchmarks show that while the G5 is a solid chip, it doesn’t set benchmark charts on fire. It still isn’t in the same league as the top offerings from Apple and Qualcomm.

Skipping the Pixel 10

After checking out the Pixel 10 thoroughly, it’s clear that the upgrade from the Pixel 8 is simply not worth it.

My Pixel 8 continues to be a fantastic device that meets all my needs and more. The incremental updates in the Pixel 10 – while nice on paper – don’t justify the cost for me.

With premium design and a robust software update policy, my Pixel 8 feels like a phone I can rely on without breaking a sweat.

However, if you have a Pixel 6 or an older device, I would highly recommend considering the Pixel 10 as your next purchase.