Google Pixel 10: magnets, magic, and mentors await you!

Apple's edge in handset hardware has always been pitched around the union of hardware and software. With today's announcement of the Pixel 10 range of smartphones, Google is pushing ever closer to exactly that height of integration to make its handsets the right choice for anyone who uses Google services every day.

Google has settled into a solid, confident hardware design standard across its range, with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold hardware looking beautiful. I saw the latest range hands on ahead of the announcement and the kit feels good in hand with enough colour options to keep both those with muted and poppy preferences happy.

Why not watch Jimmy Fallon host the launch right here?

Ahead of getting to dive deeper with review hardware in the near future, there's three key leaps forward to shout about.

Pixelsnap (MagSafe's cousin)

Google is calling its magnetic wireless charging integration PixelSnap, based on the Qi2 standard which was developed off the back of Apple MagSafe. I spent plenty of time in my previous coverage of Pixel saying that this is the quality of life game changer worth waiting for – and now it's here! With a wealth of existing third party accessories already in market along with Google releasing some new options of its own, this is a great step for how you will use your phone on a daily basis. I'm glad it's here and I bet most users will fall in love quickly if they've never had the experience before.

Magic Cue

Bolted on AI that acts as a clever but flawed search alternative is growing old fast. But AI that runs on your device to silently give you a nudge in the right direction in your specific context? That sounds actually useful. Google is giving us Magic Cue, with the promise of personalised intelligence that knows what's in your Gmail, your past text messages, and your photo library so that if someone asks about an address or if you remember something you discussed last week you can be offered a proactive option just above the keyboard that answers the problem instantly. The proof will be in the pudding, but this could be a personal AI breakthrough.

Camera Coach

Amongst the new suite of Pixel Camera upgrades, the Camera Coach stands out as another practical AI concept that gives you real-time advice on taking better photos. In the examples, the user is encouraged to change their standing position and shooting angle to better capture shadows to create a more interesting view of the subject. I'm very excited to play with this and see what ideas it suggests across a wide range of scenarios.

Will Pixel 10 make phones fun again?

All three are important in giving us real reasons to get back to being excited about a new device and what it makes possible for our lives. It often feels like that phase of consumer tech is a decade in the rear view mirror. But across these hardware and software updates, Pixel 10 phones bring real freshness to what it means to get a new phone out of the box and explore new possibilities.

Google is also upgrading the phones to the latest Gorilla Glass, and even the Pixel Pro 10 Fold is getting IP68 rating with the hinge now having dust resistance rating. Plus across the board it's another seven years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop upgrades from launch. So if you want to cling to a Pixel 10 until 2032 you can do so with confidence (just don't drop it too often!)

There's also more Pixel hardware alongside the phones, including the Pixel Watch 4, which pushes harder into fitness features as well as AI integrations, and the Pixel Buds 2a, which get active noise cancelling for the first time in the 'a' series as well as better battery life – and replaceable batteries.

All in all, Google is making its 10th generation Pixel anniversary quite the celebration. Last year I said the 9 series was great but 'wait for the 10'. What we've seen so far looks like that advice should pay dividends for the patient.