Why The Pixel 10 Is Making This Longtime Iphone User Reconsider Their Next Phone

Joseph Maldonado/ZDNET

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• Google's PixelSnap is nan biggest upgrade for maine connected nan company's caller phones.
• The $799 Pixel 10 now comes pinch a telephoto camera, a sizeable upgrade for nan guidelines model.
• Gemini AI is overmuch smarter and much tin than Siri.

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As a telephone reviewer, I can't instrumentality to a azygous telephone for long, but I've been connected nan iPhone for a while now. That's because of nan other convenience I get pinch my Mac Mini and a bunch of MagSafe-compatible chargers, powerfulness banks, and different recreation accessories. 

I ever person 2nd thoughts astir shifting to Android because it would inhibit my workflow and require caller backpack accessories. But nan Google Pixel 10 is nan first smartphone successful months that I'm considering dropping iOS for. 

Also: Camera Coach connected Pixel 10 helps you return amended photos arsenic you sprout them

If you've been connected nan obstruction astir switching from an iPhone, nan caller Pixel 10 phones are nan champion alternatives you tin bargain correct now. The Pixel 10 seems for illustration nan cleanable Android phone to move to. Here are 3 features that person sold this iPhone personification connected nan Pixel 10.

1. PixelSnap is simply a long-awaited addition

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

When I first shifted from my iPhone 16 Pro to nan iPhone 16e, I thought I'd miss ProMotion nan most, but it was MagSafe that had made its people complete nan years. I realized really limited I was connected MagSafe erstwhile I couldn't usage immoderate of those accessories pinch Apple's fund phone. 

I'm much assured astir switching to nan caller Google Pixel 10 because it will not make my MagSafe accessories ineffective.

Also: Everything announced astatine Made by Google 2025: Pixel 10 Pro, Fold, Watch 4, and more

The Google Pixel 10 bid includes a caller characteristic called PixelSnap, a Qi2-based MagSafe replacement for Android. This means, theoretically, I tin usage my caller Baseus PicoGo 5,000mAh powerfulness bank, Shiftcam SnapStand Max, and much without immoderate issues. 

These are immoderate of my travel essentials, and I won't request to acquisition abstracted on-the-go accessories conscionable because I sewage a caller phone. The summation of PixelSnap is my favourite upgrade connected nan caller Pixels.

2. Smarter sound assistant 

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Apple Intelligence hasn't been up to nan mark, astatine slightest for me. While Visual Intelligence is useful, I for illustration Samsung's Galaxy AI suite of features connected my Galaxy Z Fold 7. Moreover, I've been utilizing Gemini Live much than expected and measurement much than I person ever utilized Siri connected my iPhone. 

While Siri can't get reminders correct aliases telephone my contacts successful 1 go, Gemini Live has helped maine shape my room and lick regular life problems. It is now getting support for much Google apps for illustration Keep and Maps. So, I tin adhd my thoughts to Google Keep without needing to touch my phone. Since I usage Google apps successful my workflow, Gemini makes things easier and much intuitive. 

Also: PixelSnap is nan MagSafe for Android phones we've been waiting for - here's our first look

While I tin entree Gemini connected my iPhone without immoderate issues, Google's caller Pixel-exclusive AI features make a beardown lawsuit for switching. I'm looking guardant to experiencing nan caller Magic Cue -- which is expected to present much personalized and contextual AI -- and Camera Coach, which is touted to thief constitute shots better. 

3. Telephoto camera connected nan guidelines model

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

The guidelines iPhone 16 doesn't person a telephoto camera, whereas nan iPhone 16 Pro sports a comparatively mini 5x periscope sensor. I've utilized nan latter, and it struggles successful debased light. To compare, nan Google Pixel 10 Pro features a larger sensor pinch 5x optical zoom, and nan guidelines Pixel 10 besides gets an further zoom lens pinch nan aforesaid optical zoom.

I'm not expecting exceptional zoom value from nan Pixel 10's telephoto camera because it is simply a smaller sensor. However, it should beryllium amended than nan iPhone 16's 5x integer zoom. I for illustration shooting architecture photos, and having 5x optical zoom connected a $799 telephone is simply a invited addition.

Also: Why I urge this $400 Google Pixel complete competing models from Samsung and OnePlus

Apart from these 3 features, I'm besides looking guardant to going backmost to nan Pixel for each nan Google extras. From nosy features for illustration Add Me and Best Take to useful Circle to Search and Magic Eraser, each of them adhd to nan Google Pixel experience. While I'm not a instrumentality of comparatively thicker bezels, nan Pixel 10's brighter and stronger show is different nice-to-have summation that should make nan acquisition better.