But there’s already a Pixel 10 Pro vs Pixel 10 war being fought, and some users seem convinced that Google has practically rendered the Pro unnecessary. Ah yes, and just as the Pixel 9A outdid the 9, the Pixel 10 series already looks set to follow suit.
When stacked up against each other, the Pixel 10 Pro vs Pixel 10 leave only a few small differences. About the standard Pixel 10, it has a slightly lower screen resolution, refresh rate, and… RAM has been trimmed from 16GB to 12GB, and the camera hardware appears slightly weaker on paper. But whatever the differences, the Pixel 10 Pro vs Pixel 10 comparison makes the $200 premium for the Pro a tough one to break even on.
Pixel 9A Plan to Detail with Pixel 10
Google’s approach with the Pixel 9A already rendered the Pixel 9 irrelevant. The Pixel 9A had the identical processor, a larger battery and almost the same performance, for $300 less. The standard Pixel 9 was a tough sell even months after its launch, since the Pixel 9A was still far, far less expensive.
And now it’s time for Pixel 10 Pro vs Pixel 10 to do it again. There are few if any upgrades for buyers in the Pro version, and the regular Pixel 10 is more appealing.
Camera- Pixel 10 Pro vs Pixel 10
The camera tends to be the star of Google’s Pixel lineup. In the Pixel 10 Pro vs Pixel 10, Google made this line even fuzzier. The regular Pixel 10 now includes a 5x telephoto lens, something that previously belonged on the Pro models.
Yes the Pro version has a higher megapixel count, wider apertures and marginally better optics. “For 99.99% of users, the differences are essentially non-existent.” Cropping in from a 10MP telephoto sensor is still far from ideal, so maybe it’s not so bad—that and Google’s Pro Res zoom hasn’t exactly been blowing me away anyhow. On the Pixel 9 Pro anything past a 10x zoom looked like an oil painting and you’ll find the same limitations here.
Pixel 10 Pro vs Pixel 10 Value
The main problem with the Pixel 10 Pro vs Pixel 10 is pricing. For only slight disparity though, the Pro will cost $200 more. The Pro seems superfluous for most buyers, though, since the battery life is better on the standard model and the telephoto lens now comes in the box.
Even the Pixel 10 Fold Pro’s camera setup is all but identical to that of the regular Pixel 10. This casts doubt on where Google places its Pro devices in the future.
Wrap Up: Pixel 10 Pro vs Pixel 10
By adding premium features like a telephoto camera to the standard Pixel 10, Google is giving users a win. But it tips the Pixel 10 Pro vs Pixel 10 balance a lot in the direction of the more affordable phone. There’s just not enough of a distinction that the average buyer should opt for the Pixel 10 Pro as the smarter option, leaving it in a bit of a no man’s land.
FAQ
The Pixel 10 Pro has a bit more RAM here, brighter display, and better camera hardware, but the core experience is very similar.
In general, the Pixel 10 Pro vs Pixel 10 shows that the price difference is really not warranted for most users, the differences are only slight.
Yes, Google did include a 5x telephoto lens with the Pixel 10, removing some of the Pro model’s necessity.
