Google’s latest flagship, the Pixel 10 Pro XL, is arriving in stores, and early benchmark results reveal a nuanced picture for its in-house Tensor G5 chip.
Highlights
- CPU Gains: Tensor G5 shows ~15% improvement over Pixel 9 Pro XL, delivering smooth performance for daily tasks.
- GPU Regression: Graphics performance drops nearly 20% compared to last year, potentially limiting high-end gaming and GPU-heavy apps.
- AnTuTu Score: 1,173,221 total — competitive with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and MediaTek Dimensity 8350 devices, but below Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagships.
- AI & Photography Strengths: TPU is 60% more powerful, enabling features like Pro Res Zoom, Camera Coach, Auto Best Take, and Ask Photos.
- Hardware Overview: 6.8-inch LTPO OLED, triple rear cameras (50MP+48MP+48MP), 5,200mAh battery, 45W wired / 25W wireless charging.
- Market Position: Ideal for users prioritizing AI, photography, and computational features; less suitable for graphics-intensive gaming.
While CPU performance shows moderate gains over last year’s Pixel 9 Pro XL, GPU performance appears to lag, raising questions about its standing among competing flagship smartphones.
CPU Gains Highlighted, GPU Shows Regression
Real-world performance tests from Reddit users using AnTuTu suggest the Pixel 10 Pro XL delivers solid CPU performance but weaker graphics results. Official Geekbench scores are not yet available.
- Total AnTuTu Score: 1,173,221, placing the device alongside Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and MediaTek Dimensity 8350-powered phones.
- CPU Performance: 415,848 points — roughly a 15% improvement over the Pixel 9 Pro XL, comparable to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processors.
- GPU Performance: 367,206 points — nearly 20% lower than the Pixel 9 Pro XL, aligning with older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1-level graphics.
These results suggest that while daily tasks and general usage should run smoothly, GPU-intensive applications, such as high-end gaming, may underperform relative to other flagship devices.
Hardware Overview
Despite mixed benchmarks, the Pixel 10 Pro XL comes with premium hardware specifications.
- Display: 6.8-inch LTPO OLED, 1,344 × 2,992 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate, 3,000-nit peak brightness, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.
- Cameras: 50MP primary, 48MP 5x telephoto, 48MP ultrawide rear cameras; 42MP front camera.
- Battery & Charging: 5,200mAh battery, 45W wired, and 25W wireless charging support.
- Colors & Storage: Jade, Moonstone, and Obsidian; 256GB variant available.
The device also integrates AI-focused features leveraging the Tensor G5’s improved Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), such as Pro Res Zoom, Camera Coach, Auto Best Take, and Ask Photos.
Google claims the TPU is 60% more powerful than the previous generation, enhancing machine learning and photography tasks.
Performance Compared to Competitors
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 – Achieved an AnTuTu score of 2,087,159, significantly outperforming the Tensor G5.
- Pixel 9 Pro XL – While a generation older, its GPU exceeds the Tensor G5’s graphics performance, highlighting the regression.
- Mid-Range Flagships – Devices like the Honor 200 Pro (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3) and Motorola Edge 60 Pro (Dimensity 8350) fall in a similar performance tier to the Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Users prioritizing advanced photography and AI features will benefit from the Tensor G5’s capabilities, while gamers and graphics-intensive app users may notice constraints compared to other high-end flagship smartphones.
