I’ve used a lot of flagship phones this year, but I keep coming back to the Pixel 10 Pro

We’re nearing the end of the year, which means all the flagship smartphones you and I have been waiting for are already here or about to launch (yes, OnePlus, I’m eagerly waiting for the OnePlus 15).

The Samsung Galaxy S26 series might take a while as Samsung finalizes its lineup and decides which models to release. Meanwhile, new flagship phones from other OEMs like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo are already here.

Over the past year, I’ve used dozens of flagship phones and switched between them frequently as my daily driver.

I’ve used the OnePlus 13 extensively, the OnePlus 13s, Oppo’s new Find X9 Pro, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra for a couple of months.

However, since picking up the Google Pixel 10 Pro in August 2025, every new smartphone I’ve tested leaves me coming back to the Pixel 10 Pro when I’m done. Here’s why.

The Pixel 10 Pro finally feels polished and reliable

For the first time in years, it feels like a phone I can fully trust

The main issue with Pixel smartphones has never been the hardware or software, but the consistency.

Pixel phones have had incredible software backing from Google, and while they might not be gaming-focused, my biggest concern has been their tendency to run into issues every now and then.

Some things work one day and break the next, while regular updates, as helpful as they sound, sometimes mess things up.

The experience with the Pixel 10 Pro has been the complete opposite for me. Android 16 with the new Material 3 Expressive design has settled in really well on my Pixel 10 Pro, and I’ve faced almost zero glitches in the past two months with my unit.

It is really unlike any other Pixel launch in the past, which was usually plagued with bugs and glitches before becoming stable later. The Pixel 10 Pro, on the other hand, has been reliable right from the start.

I don’t game much on my smartphone — actually, none at all — so I can’t relate to the GPU issues some users mention, but for daily tasks like emailing, texting, video calls, YouTube, and social media, the Pixel 10 Pro has been a solid daily driver.

I think it also comes down to the size of the phone. The Pixel 10 Pro’s 6.3-inch display feels near perfect for my smaller hands.

Most flagships these days hover around the 6.7-inch mark, which is too large for my hands and pockets, but the Pixel 10 Pro fits perfectly.

The ergonomics, though similar to last year’s Pixel 9 Pro, have subtle improvements that make it feel more comfortable in the hand and reduce fatigue, which is something that I can’t say about other large-screen flagships.

Qi2 adds a small but meaningful convenience

It’s one of those features I now want every phone to support natively

And then there is the convenience of being the only Android flagship to support Qi2 out of the box.

The Pixel 10 Pro ships with Qi2 magnets on the back, enabling MagSafe-like functionality on a Pixel smartphone for the first time. This means the Pixel 10 Pro attaches to wireless chargers and other MagSafe accessories without relying on third-party add-ons.

You can mimic similar experiences on devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Motorola phones using third-party cases, but having the feature built into your smartphone takes convenience to another level.

The best part for me isn’t even the wireless charging convenience, but the fact that my Pixel 10 Pro can attach to any accessory without a second thought.

I love using it with the Belkin UltraCharge foldable magnetic charger as a stand for watching content while I work, and the ESR OmniLock magnetic car charger has been just as useful during long drives.

Some Pixel AI features actually feel useful and well-integrated

Not all AI features are useful, but some are genuinely helpful

The main focus of Pixel smartphones has always been AI and software features, and the story remains the same with the Pixel 10 Pro.

It comes with dozens of new AI tools such as Camera Coach, which helps you find the perfect frame for a photo, and Magic Cue, which provides personalized suggestions throughout the interface.

While I don’t use every new AI feature on this phone, some that I do use regularly are ones I miss on other devices.

For example, the Add Me feature in the Camera app simplifies taking group photos with the rear camera. It’s not available on any other phone, and I use it almost every week.

Similarly, I’ve simplified my online shopping experience with Circle to Search. When I’m ready to buy something, I use it to compare prices across shopping platforms and find the best deals.

Audio Magic Eraser is another feature I rely on often when sharing videos on social media after concerts.

There are other useful features like Now Playing history, but the ones above are uniquely Pixel and part of what keeps me coming back to it.

The Pixel 10 Pro camera deserves more credit than it gets

It’s surprisingly capable and far better than most people assume

Another area where people often say Pixels have fallen behind is the camera department.

Almost all reviewers, including myself, have been urging Google to improve post-processing and image tuning on Pixel phones for years, especially considering what Chinese competitors are achieving now.

That said, the Pixel 10 Pro’s camera has been one of the most consistent performers I’ve seen in a long time. It may fall short of other flagship phones in certain scenarios, but for most users, I think it delivers excellent results despite the criticism.

Here are some shots I took with the Pixel 10 Pro over the past two months with the device.

The Pixel 10 Pro has turned out to be a device that truly showcases Google’s progress

For all the criticism Google has received for past Pixel phones, and even the Pixel 10 series to some extent, the Pixel 10 Pro has definitely shown the progress Google has made over the years.

It may still not be the best-performing or the best camera smartphone your money can buy, but it is certainly one of the best all-around experiences available.

Plus, this is finally starting to reflect among users, with Pixel smartphones now selling well in the US. Plus, there are a few surprises packed into the Pixel 10 series that make it a great buy.