Phone Comparisons: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 8 Pro

Two years. That’s a lifetime in smartphone years, isn’t it? So, is Google’s latest flagship, the Pixel 10 Pro XL, a worthy successor to the beloved Pixel 8 Pro? Forget incremental upgrades; we’re talking a head-to-head showdown. While the family resemblance is clear, these phones tell distinctly different stories, both inside and out. Tempted by the cutting-edge? If you’re rocking an 8 Pro, the 10 Pro XL might just be the upgrade you’ve been waiting for. Let’s dive in.

Buckle up! We’re diving headfirst into a smartphone showdown. Specs first, then the real battle begins: design duels, display dominance, performance power plays, battery endurance tests, camera comparisons, and audio auditions. Plenty to unpack, so let’s get this show on the road!

Table of Contents

Toggle

Specs
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Design
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Display
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Performance
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Battery
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Cameras
Audio

Specs

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

$1,199 at

Google Pixel 8 Pro

$645 from

View Specifications

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Design

Crafted from a fusion of metal and glass, these phones, though sharing a design DNA, diverge in subtle yet significant ways. Imagine two sleek canvases: both boasting flat displays punctuated by a centered camera "eye." On the Pixel 8 Pro, that eye sits a touch higher, offering a slightly different perspective. Framed by impossibly thin and uniform bezels, the displays verge on the edge of infinity. The newer model dares to trim those bezels even further, though the difference is barely perceptible. Finally, the Pixel 10 Pro XL softens its stance with subtly more rounded corners, inviting a more comfortable grip.

Forget sharp angles. The upcoming Pixel 10 Pro XL embraces a whisper of curvature where its otherwise flat frame kisses the edges. Contrast that with the Pixel 8 Pro, whose frame flows in one continuous curve. Identical twin placement defines the button layout on both phones: power residing atop the volume rocker, all conveniently located on the right side.

Flip them, spin them – the variations jump out. Both boast camera bars, but that’s where the similarities fade. Imagine the Pixel 10 Pro XL: a sleek, detached pill floating across its back, never quite touching the phone’s edge. Now picture the Pixel 8 Pro; its camera bar, a bold statement curving seamlessly into the frame, a continuous design. Peeking from within, its lenses are nestled in a pill-shaped cutout. And yes, both dare to jut out, defying the quest for perfect flatness.

While the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and its competitor share near-identical dimensions in height, width, and thickness, the Pixel 10 Pro XL feels noticeably heftier at 19 grams more. Clad in resilience, both handsets boast an IP68 rating, shrugging off dust and water with equal aplomb. However, a word of caution: both phones possess a certain slipperiness, demanding a firm grip or a protective case.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Display

Feast your eyes on the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL’s breathtaking 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display. Experience visuals that dance before you, rendered in vibrant HDR10+ on a completely flat panel. Prepare to be mesmerized by a dynamic 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, ensuring buttery-smooth motion and responsiveness. With a staggering peak brightness of 3,200 nits, this screen shines brilliantly in any lighting conditions. Dive into a world of detail with its sharp 2992 x 1344 resolution and an expansive 88% screen-to-body ratio. Protected by the unyielding Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, its 20:9 aspect ratio delivers a cinematic experience in the palm of your hand.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

Flip the Pixel 8 Pro and prepare to feast your eyes on its stunning 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display. Finally, a flat panel! Dive into vibrant HDR10+ content that explodes with color and detail. With a searing peak brightness of 2,400 nits, this screen laughs in the face of sunlight. An immersive 87% screen-to-body ratio and a crisp 2992 x 1344 resolution (in a sleek 20:9 aspect ratio) pull you right into the action. And because life happens, Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 stands guard, ready to shrug off scratches and scrapes.

While the Pixel 8 Pro flaunts a vibrant and sharp display with excellent viewing angles and responsive touch, the Pixel 10 Pro XL enters the arena with a knockout punch: pure, unadulterated brightness. Imagine the Pixel 8 Pro’s display, then crank up the intensity. That’s the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Both screens share the same sharp resolution and deliver equally stunning visuals, but under the blazing sun, the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s advantage becomes crystal clear. It’s the difference between viewing andexperiencingyour content, no matter the lighting conditions.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Performance

The Pixel 10 Pro XL roars to life, its heart beating with the all-new Google Tensor G5. Forged in the fires of TSMC’s cutting-edge 3nm process, this isn’t just another chip; it’s Google’s most potent creation yet. Complemented by a staggering 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and lightning-fast UFS 4.0 storage, prepare for an experience that redefines mobile performance.

Forget expandable storage; the Google Pixel 8 Pro is all about internal muscle. The engine? Google’s own Tensor G3, a 4nm powerhouse paired with a whopping 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Data zips around thanks to UFS 3.1 storage.

While both phones boast impressive speed, don’t expect a night-and-day transformation. The Pixel 10 Pro XL has a slight edge, but the 8 Pro remains a daily workhorse. Ultimately, raw processing power isn’t the compelling reason to ditch your current device.

For gaming? The Pixel 10 Pro XL dominates. Cooler operation combined with sheer processing muscle means demanding titles sing on this device. That said, neither phone is a dedicated gaming rig, so temper your expectations accordingly.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Battery

While both the Google Pixel 8 Pro and the rumored Pixel 10 Pro XL boast impressive battery capacities (5,050mAh and 5,200mAh, respectively), splitting hairs over the difference feels almost trivial. Yes, the 10 Pro XL inches ahead, possibly offset by its larger display despite a supposed efficiency boost. Don’t expect a revolutionary leap, though. Think "slightly better" rather than "game-changing." Both offer a respectable all-day experience, but neither quite reaches the battery life stratosphere occupied by true endurance champions. They’re good, just notunplug-and-forget-for-daysgood.

Both phones survived a full day unplugged, a testament to their efficiency. However, power users beware: your mileage will vary depending on your demands. The Pixel 10 Pro XL eked out roughly an hour more of screen time in our testing, but don’t expect marathon performance. Rivals with beefier batteries will undoubtedly outlast them.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL boasts a blazing-fast 45W wired charging, 25W magnetic wireless (Qi2 compatible), and reverse wired charging. Its older sibling, the Pixel 8 Pro, packs a punch with 30W wired, 23W wireless, and reverse wireless charging. Ironically, despite the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s seemingly superior charging specs, both phones hit 100% in roughly the same time – around 80 minutes. A heads-up: neither phone includes a charging brick, so you’ll need to bring your own power source.

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 8 Pro: Cameras

Unleash your inner photographer with the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL’s revolutionary triple-lens camera system. Capture breathtaking detail with the massive 50MP main sensor, a light-guzzling giant ready to redefine mobile photography. Then, stretch your perspective with the expansive 48MP ultrawide lens, boasting a 123-degree field of view – perfect for sweeping landscapes and epic group shots. And for those distant subjects? The 48MP periscope telephoto lens brings them into sharp focus with an incredible 5x optical zoom, revealing details you never thought possible.

Google Pixel 8 Pro

The Pixel 8 Pro wields a formidable triple-lens arsenal on its rear. Anchoring this setup is a 50MP main camera, powered by the same impressive 1/1.31-inch sensor found in its predecessor. Flanking it is a 48MP ultrawide lens, capturing expansive vistas with its 126-degree field of view – although it utilizes a slightly smaller 1/2.0-inch sensor. Intriguingly, the periscope telephoto camera is a direct transplant from the Pixel 10 Pro XL, a detail that raises a few eyebrows.

Two years of Google Pixel: have we hit a photographic plateau? While the Pixel 8 Pro arrived boasting dependable camera prowess, the rumored Pixel 10 Pro XL stumbled out of the gate, battling initial balance woes (thankfully, Google offered some course correction). Both deliver punchy, contrast-rich images and wield an impressive arsenal of AI tricks. However, can these Pixels truly challenge the reigning camera phone champions? Sadly, not quite. The crown remains elsewhere.

Audio

The Pixel 10 Pro XL and the Pixel 8 Pro both bring the audio with stereo speakers. However, crank up the volume, and you might notice the Pixel 10 Pro XL has a slight edge. It’s not a seismic shift in sound, but discerning ears will pick up on the extra oomph.

Ditching the beloved headphone jack, both phones embrace a streamlined design. Craving wired audio? The versatile USB-C port is your new best friend. The Pixel 10 Pro XL leaps ahead with cutting-edge Bluetooth 6.0, while the Pixel 8 Pro delivers solid wireless performance with Bluetooth 5.3.

Thanks for reading Phone Comparisons: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 8 Pro