Google’s latest Pixel 10 Pro delivers on its promise of a high-quality smartphone experience, including a surprisingly strong gaming performance. Launched in September alongside the standard Pixel 10, the Pro model features iterative hardware upgrades and refined AI features. While not the absolute best choice for hardcore mobile gamers, the Pixel 10 Pro offers a compelling package – especially at its current discounted price of $799.
Display: Where the Pixel 10 Pro Shines
The standout feature for gamers is the Pixel 10 Pro’s bright, vivid OLED display. Its 6.3-inch screen boasts a sharp 2,856×1,280 resolution and HDR10 Plus support, making games look stunning. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth action, whether you’re playing fast-paced shooters or slower-paced strategy games.
What sets it apart is the peak brightness of 3,300 nits. This means the screen remains clearly visible even in direct sunlight, and colors pop with remarkable intensity – a clear advantage over older phones and some current competitors, like the iPhone 15 Pro Max (2,000 nits). The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes close at 3,000 nits, but the Pixel 10 Pro still holds an edge in visibility.
Performance: Good Enough for Demanding Games
Despite not topping benchmark charts, the Pixel 10 Pro’s Tensor G5 chip is more than capable of handling modern mobile games. The phone’s 16GB of RAM contributes to smooth gameplay, even when pushing graphics settings to the maximum. Genshin Impact, a graphically intensive title, ran at 60 frames per second without significant overheating.
The phone’s speakers are serviceable, and battery life is respectable – a notable improvement over previous Pixel models, though still not class-leading. Gamers can expect around a 2% battery drain for every 4-5 minute match in Call of Duty: Mobile.
The Downsides: Storage and Charging
The Pixel 10 Pro falls behind in two key areas: storage capacity and charging speed. The base model comes with only 128GB of storage, which is insufficient for gamers who download large titles (some exceeding 50GB) or take high-resolution videos.
Charging is also slower compared to competitors. The Pixel 10 Pro supports a maximum of 30-watt wired charging and 15-watt wireless charging, taking over an hour to fully recharge from 0%. The OnePlus 15, with its 80-watt wired charging, can reach 73% in just 30 minutes, while the Pixel 10 Pro manages only 44% in the same time.
Google does offer the Pixel 10 Pro XL with faster 45-watt wired and 25-watt wireless charging, but at a higher price point.
The Verdict
The Google Pixel 10 Pro is a solid gaming phone that delivers a high-quality experience, particularly thanks to its exceptional display. However, its limited storage and slower charging speeds prevent it from being the best option for serious mobile gamers. If you’re already a Pixel fan, it’s a great all-around device. But if gaming performance is your top priority, other phones – like the OnePlus 15 – offer more compelling features.
