Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Pixel 9 Pro XL: All the expected differences

Google’s highly anticipated flagship smartphone, the Pixel 10 Pro XL, is just weeks away—so what upgrades can we expect? And is it worth upgrading from the Pixel 9 Pro XL?

The official unveiling is set for August 20th, meaning details are technically under wraps. Yet Google has already shared sneak peeks of the design, and a flood of leaks have spilled most of the beans. Let’s just say the Pixel 10 Pro XL is about as mysterious as my uncontrollable urge for a midday snack.

This new model will debut with an upgraded Tensor G5 chip manufactured by TSMC—hopefully resolving years of performance and thermal issues tied to Samsung’s previous production. Another major leap? Expected support for Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, a feature still untouched by any other Android device.

Pricing will also shift: the base model now starts at $1,200. Why the bump? Because Google has finally ditched the 128 GB option. Thanks for that, Google—really thoughtful! Jokes aside, there’s plenty more to unpack, so keep reading.

Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Pixel 9 Pro XL: Key Expected Upgrades

Table of Contents:

• Design
• Display
• Performance
• Camera
• Battery
• Specs
• Summary

Read more:

• Pixel 10 series release date and new features
• Pixel 10 Pro Fold vs Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Design and Dimensions

Minimal changes, but a bit bulkier

The Pixel 10 Pro XL retains the same clean, minimalist design language as its predecessor.

Expect a flat display, flat sides, an aluminum frame, and a glass back—essentially the "business casual" of smartphone aesthetics.

The only noticeable change is the weight—now 232 grams, about 5% heavier—likely due to the larger battery. While we welcome longer endurance, the added heft might be a downside for pocket comfort.

IP68 water and dust resistance remains unchanged, and no new physical buttons have been added—something we actually appreciate. While Apple keeps adding buttons, we’re glad Google isn’t following that trend.

Available colors for the Pixel 10 Pro XL are expected to include:

• Obsidian (Black)
• Porcelain (White)
• Moonstone (Cool gray with a hint of blue)
• Jade (Soft pistachio green with a golden frame accent)

Display Comparison

Last year, the Pixel 9 Pro XL raised the bar with its ultra-bright display.

This year, don’t expect major changes: still a 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits—perfect for reading texts in direct sunlight.

It remains unclear whether there are any behind-the-scenes display improvements, but on paper, it looks identical.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL will reportedly use an upgraded ultrasonic fingerprint reader—faster and more reliable, even with wet fingers. A small but welcome upgrade for anyone checking messages during kitchen cleanup or laundry duty.

Performance and Software

Built by a better chipmaker

With 16GB of RAM and a new Tensor G5 chip now produced by TSMC instead of Samsung, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is shaping up to be a meaningful performance upgrade over the 9 Pro XL.

Think of it this way: the engine is now built by a more trusted manufacturer.

One oddity with the Pixel 9 Pro XL was its use of UFS 3.1 storage—slower than the UFS 4.0 standard used by most rivals. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is expected to fix that, bringing faster app launches and file transfers.

It will also launch with Android 16. While the update brings subtle UI refinements, the highlight is the rumored native Desktop Mode—similar to Samsung DeX—already appearing in Android beta builds. It’s a niche feature, but one that could appeal to power users.

Camera System

8K video joins the Pixel lineup

Pixel phones have long relied on computational photography and AI enhancements. For the Pixel 10 Pro XL, don’t expect hardware overhauls—just smarter software.

The triple-camera setup remains unchanged:

However, the ultra-wide lens gains a new Macro Focus mode, and the 5X periscope zoom now claims a wild 100X digital zoom. Let’s be real—100X is more marketing than usability. We’ve seen this before on other phones, and the results are usually blurry, abstract art. Even 50X struggles. That said, if AI processing improves 10X–20X shots, we’re all for it.

The standout video upgrade? 8K recording. Leaks suggest this will be powered by Video Boost—Google’s cloud-based enhancement tool that upscales and refines footage. Whether this means true native 8K or upscaled 4K remains unclear. If native, expect

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