Google Pixel 10 battery life actually is not nearly as good as I would hoped

For the previous few weeks, we’ve been completely exploring all three of the brand new Google Pixel 10 fashions throughout the Android Authority group and have come to the joint conclusion that battery life might, frankly, be higher. Fortunately, we’ve all been reaching the tip of most days with out desperately dashing for a charger. Nevertheless, some fashions are undoubtedly higher than others, and the telephones actually haven’t closed the hole on rivals that provide longer screen-on-time.

Surprisingly, regardless of its bigger battery, the Pixel 10 Professional XL has fared worse in our testing than the 2 smaller handsets. Anecdotally, we’ve struggled to achieve a lot past 4 hours of screen-on time with the XL, whereas the common Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Professional handle nearer to 5 hours — or perhaps a little extra with lighter use. That’s a fairly vital discrepancy, and one we actually didn’t anticipate.

Compounding our sense of disappointment is that pre-launch expectations have been excessive. Google’s change to TSMC’s smaller and extra environment friendly 3nm course of (from final 12 months’s 4nm Samsung Foundry chips) was presupposed to carry main energy financial savings for the Tensor G5, placing it nearer to the effectivity we anticipate from Apple and Qualcomm. Pair that with barely bigger batteries throughout the Pixel 10 lineup, and it regarded like battery life may lastly take an honest step, if not a leap, ahead.

Sadly, that hasn’t been the case. Whereas the Pixel 10 fashions generally outperform their predecessors, additionally they fall brief in different eventualities. Our check suite paints a blended image.

Our information reveals positive aspects in net shopping and 4K video playback, pointing to effectivity enhancements within the Tensor G5’s CPU and video decoder for lighter duties. Nevertheless, in additional CPU-heavy workloads, like Zoom calls and 4K recording, each the Pixel 10 and Professional XL carry out worse than final 12 months’s fashions. Digicam endurance can also be weaker on the ten Professional XL, although roughly the identical on the Pixel 10 in comparison with the Pixel 9. This inconsistency aligns with the blended day-to-day outcomes we’ve skilled.

Maybe probably the most regarding development throughout all of those outcomes is that the Pixel 10 outperforms the Pixel 10 Professional XL, apart from 4K seize. The larger and extra pixel-dense show, 120Hz adaptive show enabled by default, and maybe reminiscence or different {hardware} variations might all contribute. Possibly a few of the new AI instruments are consuming away at no matter effectivity positive aspects Google managed to make? Regardless of the trigger, our hands-on use makes it clear: the Pixel 10 Professional XL doesn’t ship the sturdy battery life its dimension suggests.

As at all times, deal with these battery life benchmarks as tough estimates relatively than absolute values. Throw in background duties, shopping totally different websites, or doubtful cell reception; the outcomes will skew a bit. That stated, there are some clear tendencies, and none of them paint the Pixel 10 collection in a very nice mild.

None of that is to say you shouldn’t purchase a Pixel 10. For most individuals, a full day of use is sufficient. However it is best to rigorously think about battery life earlier than spending your hard-earned money — particularly given the truth that the Pixel 10 collection stays sluggish to cost. Probably the most demanding customers could discover that these handsets battle to maintain up.

In our time with the telephones, the Pixel 10 and 10 Professional often attain the tip of the day with slightly energy left within the tank, however neither has managed to make it meaningfully right into a second day with out recharging. That’s high-quality, however removed from spectacular in comparison with rival telephones at comparable worth factors. The Pixel 10 Professional XL is extra worrying: whereas it typically can energy by means of, it typically dips under 20% and Battery Saver mode kicks in earlier than we’re able to name it a day. For anybody needing 5 or extra hours of display time every day, the XL won’t be a reliable alternative.

Sure, you possibly can carry an influence financial institution or high up often, however there’s one other concern. Google’s Battery Well being Assistant will begin slowly capping the cellphone’s peak battery capability after as few as 200 cost cycles — effectively inside the first 12 months of use. What’s nearly acceptable as we speak will really feel frustratingly insufficient in two years. For those who plan on maintaining your Pixel 10 for the lengthy haul, simply issue within the chance of 1 or two battery replacements over its promised seven-year assist cycle.