These are the top Google Pixel phones that our experts recommend

Even though the Pixel 11 Pro XL has hit the scene, a price increase and lack of significant upgrades mean that the previous-gen flagship is still our go-to recommendation for those after a top-tier Google handset. It’s the full Google Pixel experience but with a few extra quality of life features that make it stand out amongst top-tier phones like the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Although the launch price was a big issue with the Pixel 10 Pro XL initially, the phone can now be found for a lot less, making it a real bargain.

Out of all the options available within the Pixel 10 range, there are two main reasons why you should consider plumping for the XL: the display and the battery life. On the former, the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s massive 6.8-inch screen is brighter than ever at 3300 nits, and the 120Hz OLED panel boasts stunning colours and contrast that really make everything pop, whether you’re watching a film or just scrolling through social media.

With regards to the battery, the massive 5200mAh cell ensures that the 10 Pro XL is the only phone within the latest Pixel range that can last for up to two-days on a single charge. Of course, whether or not you reach that longevity depends on how you use the device, but it does mean that you won’t have to deal with any battery anxiety if you really push it over the course of a day with plenty of camera use and photo editing.

Just as you’d expect from a top-tier Pixel phone, the triple-camera array is excellent as always, getting the best possible shot in any scenario, although given that the cameras on the cheaper Pixel phones are also great, we only recommend opting for the 10 Pro XL as an upgrade if you’re going to make use of the full feature set. If you prefer the idea of having a more compact flagship to hand, then the Pixel 10 Pro fits the bill nicely.

Who should buy the Pixel 10 Pro XL?

True Pixel fans who want a flagship experience with zero compromises.

Pixel 10 Pro XL: Further considerations

The Pixel 11 Pro XL has a few small upgrades and will be supported for longer.

If you’ve read our review for the Pixel 10a then you’ll know that while it’s a very competent mid-ranger, the phone just isn’t as much of an upgrade as we hoped it would be, and since the phone has come to town, the Pixel 9a has only dropped in price, making it a better buy than ever. It’s for this reason that we currently recommend getting the Pixel 9a over its successor.

It retains all the fundamentals of a great Pixel phone experience, including an excellent main camera, strong battery life and solid performance. Also, despite the more compact 6.3-inch design, battery life is still solid. 

That’s before we even get to the software experience, which is missing a few AI features but nothing of real note. And Google’s seven-year policy (from the time of launch) is better than most similarly priced competition. 

However, the lack of a telephoto lens severely limits the camera’s usability for zoom shots, while 23W charging can be frustrating. But at the price it can now be found for, it’s easy to overlook these when you see everything else you’re getting for your money. 

Who should buy the Google Pixel 9a?

Anyone who wants a great mid-range phone that will stand the test of time. 

Google Pixel 9a: Further considerations

The Pixel 10a does have a more durable build and a bright screen.

Entry-level Pixel handsets have long been a great alternative to similarly priced devices from Apple and Samsung, but the Pixel 10 feels different in that, outside of one or two areas, it doesn’t really leave you wanting for anything, and with seven years of updates promised from the time of launch, it’ll only get better as Google introduces more AI-led features.

Speaking of AI, Google is right up there with Samsung in terms of delivering AI features that actually work and don’t feel like a tacked-on gimmick. For example, Magic Cue can provide contextual assistance automatically, which makes things like sending documents to friends just that bit easier. And of course, Gemini is one of the best AI assistants around.

The big hardware addition is the inclusion of Pixelsnap magnets, which gives Google a leg-up on Samsung with the ability to interact with magnetic Qi2 charging methods, including MagSafe accessories. For things like quickly mounting your phone on a car dashboard or ensuring a secure wireless charging connection, this is a big win.

There’s also, finally, a telephoto lens on the back, giving you a trio of rear cameras as a flagship should have. Specs are a bit downgraded from the Pixel 9, but point-and-shoot results are still plenty good enough for the average user.

At this point, having 128GB storage as the starting point feels a bit shallow, particularly as the iPhone 17 now has 256GB as standard, providing more space for apps and photos/videos. Battery life could do with improving as well, but thanks to Pixelsnap, you can at least bring along a magnetic power bank for the ride and give your phone a quick top-up when needed.

Who should buy the Pixel 10?

Shoppers who want high-end features for the best price possible.

Pixel 10: Further considerations

The Pixel 11 is now on the scene and you can expect to read our full review in due course.

After somewhat stumbling out of the gate with its very first foldable phone, Google managed to turn things around with the excellent Pixel 9 Pro Fold. While its successor is more of a refinement than a true move into the next generation of foldable tech, like the big leap we saw on the Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is still a fantastic option to consider. This sentiment still rings true even after the release of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, as it only packs a small number of new features.

The biggest upgrade of the bunch is the move to have official IP68 dust and water resistance, which is the first time this certification has appeared on any folding phone. Given that durability is still a point of contention with foldables, having this rugged exterior does give more peace of mind that the 10 Pro Fold can be used over a long period of time.

Both the inner and outer displays are now able to reach 3000 nits of peak brightness, which just makes them easier and enjoyable to use, but the battery has been given a bump as well to accommodate this upgrade The larger 5015mAh cell easily saw us through an average day of use with a decent amount of power still left in the tank, so you won’t have to worry too much.

If the phone’s battery does end up in the red, you can now use the Pixelsnap feature to magnetically attach a wireless power bank to the phone and have it charge up without the need for any cumbersome wires. It would be great if Google could slim the chassis down in its next folding phone, but for the time being, there’s a lot to like about the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Who should buy the Pixel 10 Pro Fold?

Foldable fans who value durability above all, or are set on Pixel hardware.

Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Further considerations

It’s outdone by both Samsung and Honor in slenderness and performance, while non-folding Pixels are better value for money.

Given just how much credence manufacturers have placed in making their phones as large as possible, it’s refreshing to have a flagship Android option that actually feels compact and is easy to use one-handed in a pinch. With a 6.3-inch display and a weight of just 207g, the Pixel 10 Pro is the perfect antidote to anyone who’s sick of carrying around a massive slab of a phone that might as well be a tablet.

Still, even though it is a smaller device by modern standards, the Pixel 10 Pro is no slouch where it counts. Even against tough competition from the likes of Xiaomi and Samsung, the 10 Pro boasts some of the best cameras around, largely down to Google’s next-level computational processing. If you’re the type of person who struggles to take a good picture, then Google’s software can do plenty of the heavy lifting for you. It’s the same for editing with trusted features like Best Take and Magic Eraser.

Just like with most companies nowadays, Google has gone all in on beefing up the 10 Pro with AI, but unlike the competition, Google is arguably leading the charge here. Google Gemini responses are super fast here, and machine learning allows the phone to intelligently offer up actions depending on what you’re looking at onscreen. You can now even converse with Gemini in the photo editing suite and simply ask for the changes that you want to see.

Of course, the elephant in the room is that the Pixel 11 Pro is now on the scene but unfortunately, it simply isn’t a worthy successor. We encountered far too many bugs during our testing of that phone, and the one big addition to the device, the HiLight feature on the back, simply isn’t fit for purpose. With all that in mind, and the fact that you can now find the Pixel 10 Pro for less, we feel that this previous-gen flagship is a far better buy for most people.

Who should buy the Pixel 10 Pro?

Fans of compact phones who still want a premium experience.

Pixel 10 Pro: Further considerations

Similarly priced phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25+ offer more storage for less, while the regular Pixel 10 is cheaper and has a lot in common.

The Pixel 10a is in something of an awkward position. When viewed in a silo, the phone is arguably the best value mid-range Android phone you can get, with a long cycle of updates that goes with great software and flagship-level photography chops, but the problem is that it’s a relatively minor upgrade over the Pixel 9a, which is still available and now at a lower price than it originally went for at launch.

The sheer value proposition of the Pixel 9a is exactly why we’ve kept it in this guide for the time being, but if you’re happy to spend a bit more in order to get a phone that’s just a bit more refined and future-proofed, then there’s a lot to like about the Pixel 10a. For starters, the phone itself is a joy to hold as there’s no camera bump to speak of, so it doesn’t bulge from your pockets nor does it wobble on a table. Honestly, we wish that more manufacturers took the same approach.

The display has also been given a brightness bump, bringing it up to 3000 nits to make it a tad easier to use outdoors against direct sunlight. Charging is faster too at 30W over a wired connection and 10W when opting for a wireless charge. It’s nice to know that the overall build is more durable too with the phone using Gorilla Glass 7i. Again, these aren’t groundbreaking upgrades but they do make a difference to everyday use.

When pitched against other mid-range phones, it’s easy to see how the Pixel 10a comes out on top in a lot of ways, and when it comes to having a phone with clean software that doesn’t bombard you with pre-installed guff, the 10a is still the one to beat. Our advice is to search out the Pixel 9a if you’re wanting to make the most of every penny, but if you can swing it, the Pixel 10a definitely won’t leave you with any disappointment.

Who should buy the Pixel 10a?

Mid-range buyers who want a durable and long-lasting Pixel phone.

Pixel 10a: Further considerations

The lack of Pixelsnap does put the phone at a disadvantage compared to other Pixel 10 devices.

As is unfortunately the case with all of Google’s most recent phones, the Pixel 11 Pro XL suffers from being just a bit too similar to its predecessor to warrant an immediate upgrade to all potential buyers. For a lot of folks, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is still a great option that we can certainly recommend as it’s available for less if you shop around, but in terms of getting the most from Google’s latest AI features, the Pixel 11 Pro XL is the one to go for.

With the new and improved Tensor G6 chipset under the hood, the 11 Pro XL is better equipped to handle all of the AI-first concepts that make up Android 17 and are sure to be expanded upon in future OS updates. Features like Gemini Intelligence which is capable of performing certain app actions on your behalf. This could be a game changer for things like booking a table at a restaurant or sending directions to a friend, particularly as Google continues to develop it.

Although this is definitely more subjective than any other aspect of the 11 Pro XL, to our eyes, this is the best-looking premium phone that Google has ever put out. The previous XL had a confident presence, in part to its metallic railings and curved edges that feel very Apple-like, but it’s the colourways this time around that really make the phone stand out. The Olive and Canyon options in particular are some of the nicest finishes we’ve seen on any Android phone to date.

It’s a shame that one of the big new hardware additions, HiLight, is fairly dead on arrival. With a collection of LED lights on the back of the phone, there’s a lot of potential in HiLight to keep you clued in with key notifications when your phone is place faced down but at the time of launch, the feature can only be used to indicate certain incoming calls and to let you know if Gemini has been activated and is listening to you. It is a wasted opportunity, and we do hope that Google expands the concept in a future update, but at the very least, the 11 Pro XL is a solid option from a software perspective.

Who should buy the Pixel 11 Pro XL?

Frequent AI users who want the most AI-ready phone from Google’s range.

Pixel 11 Pro XL: Further considerations

It’s a very minor update on the Pixel 10 Pro XL, which can be found for less if you shop around.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is in pretty much the same position as the non-folding Pixel 11 Pro XL, in that with a new chipset under the hood, they’re both able to double down on what makes their respective product line enticing, but neither phone constitutes a major upgrade on their predecessors. As a result, we’re recommending that for most people, the previous-gen Pixel 10 Pro Fold will be the better option as it can be picked up with a sizeable discount, but for those who do want the most up-to-date foldable experience that Google has to offer, there are a few reasons as to why you may want to consider the 11 Pro Fold instead.

Admittedly, there are a few quality-of-life updates here, such as the screen brightness (on both displays) being boosted to 3600 nits. Given just how well foldables work as devices for productivity on the go, having that brighter presence, especially on the inside panel, is just very handy for when you’re on the morning train and you want to send an email without squinting your eyes against the daylight. Wireless charging is now faster too, with a bump to support Qi 2.2 and 25W. 

The biggest change, however, is the upgrade of the processor, going from the Tensor G5 to the more capable Tensor G6. Everyday actions definitely feel smoother than before, but the real potential from this upgrade comes from the fact that the phone is more capable at fielding all of Google’s new AI features. Gemini Intelligence, which can carry out certain tasks on your behalf, is ideal for users of the Fold range as it means you can get a restaurant table booked for a client meeting with very little effort, giving you more time to focus on your pitch, just as an example.

On the camera front, there’s a beefier 48Mp main sensor that’s capable of letting in more light, and as you’d expect, pictures taken with the phone look fantastic, especially after Google’s computational processing has its way with them. Unfortunately, the overall problem about Google’s foldable not being competitive enough still rings true, as it’s not quite as powerful as the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and now that the Z Fold 8 exists to lure in a more casual audience, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold has never felt more at odds with Google’s strategy. Still, for some users who want top-of-the-line AI features from a foldable, there’s a lot to like about this phone.

Who should buy the Pixel 11 Pro Fold?

Productivity users who want to indulge in the latest AI features.

Pixel 11 Pro Fold: Further considerations

Google is a way off the foldable leaders and you can get the very similar 10 Pro Fold for less.

The 9 Pro XL is the best Pixel phone from the 2024 lineup, and it remains an excellent choice in 2026.

It excels in some of the most important areas for a smartphone, including top-tier cameras (all four of them), a stunning 6.8-inch display and impressive battery life. Google’s slick software experience is backed up by its full suite of AI features and five more years of updates. 

However, it’s not right for everyone. The 9 Pro XL is a big, bulky phone, while the charging speed improvements are offset by the need to buy a dedicated accessory.  

Who should buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL?

Anyone who wants a top-class Pixel phone experience without the price tag to match.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you want a compact design or the latest hardware.