The Google Pixel 10 Pro is the phone everyone asks for but nobody buys

Everyone loves a smaller flagship until it’s time to buy one.

I recall the Asus Zenfone 10 being well-received for its premium specs and compact form factor.

Unfortunately, Asus didn’t sell enough of them to justify keeping the lineup around, opting to increase the size for future Zenfones.

The Samsung Galaxy S10e was a one-and-done, which was particularly disappointing.

I doubt we’ll see a flagship smartphone with a display under six inches again anytime soon, but the Google Pixel 10 Pro is a wonderful substitute.

It’s still a compact phone, and Google didn’t have to make many compromises from the larger Pixel 10 Pro XL.

If you’re tired of giving up features just because you enjoy smaller phones, here’s why the Pixel 10 Pro should wind up in your pocket.

The Pixel 10 Pro feels excellent in your hand and your pocket

Not everyone wants a giant phone

After reviewing several large smartphones this year, it was refreshing to pick up the Pixel 10 Pro.

Sure, I enjoy the extra screen real estate I get from the massive displays on the Pixel 10 Pro XL and Galaxy S25 Ultra, but they are a commitment to carry in your pocket. When you throw a case on them, they’re huge.

Samsung at least lightened the load a bit this year, but the Pixel 10 Pro XL is a hefty phone, weighing in at 232g. The Pixel 10 Pro tips the scales at 207g — a notable difference.

The Pixel 10 Pro features a smaller screen, but I don’t have to compromise on quality.

Its 6.3-inch Super Actua panel is every bit as vibrant as the one featured on the Pixel 10 Pro XL. With a peak brightness of 3,300 nits, I have no issues viewing the Pixel 10 Pro outdoors.

It also sports the same premium build, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, and an aluminum frame — I’m not compromising on quality.

Snappy performance and all the same cameras

I’m not missing out on anything by going smaller

With some smartphone manufacturers, downsizing means giving up a camera lens.

Nothing is more frustrating than knowing I’m paying $1,000 for the Galaxy S25+ and not getting the same camera versatility as the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Thankfully, that’s not the case with the Pixel 10 Pro. It features the same camera array as the Pixel 10 Pro XL, with a 50MP primary shooter, a 48MP ultrawide sensor, and a 48MP telephoto lens.

I get excellent photos from my Pixel 10 Pro, and I’m glad I don’t get penalized for wanting a smaller device.

I’m also not sacrificing performance or specs. The Pixel 10 Pro is powered by a Tensor G5 chipset and 16GB of RAM. I never understood why a smaller device couldn’t have top-of-the-line specs, so I’m pleased that Google didn’t hold back.

More RAM means the Pixel 10 Pro should be able to run future Google Gemini updates smoothly, which is exactly why I’d pick up a Pixel. Seven years of updates only matter if the software experience is still solid, and 16GB makes that more likely.

Battery life is still outstanding, with a few minor differences

Qi2 isn’t quite as fast on the Pixel 10 Pro

As you’d expect with a smaller phone, the battery size in the Pixel 10 Pro is not as large as the Pixel 10 Pro XL. It’s still respectable at 4,870mAh, and I have no problem getting two full days of use on a single charge.

Although it may be a smaller cell than the one featured in the Pixel 10 Pro XL, it’s significantly larger than what we’re used to in smaller phones.

Thankfully, the Tensor G5 chipset helps out, as it’s more power-efficient than previous generations.

Pixel devices have had their fair share of problems over the years, but Google has done a solid job of righting the ship.

It’s not all the same, and the Pixel 10 Pro has slower Qi2 charging speeds, limited to 15W.

It’s not a dealbreaker by any means, and while I wouldn’t complain about getting the faster 25W speeds on the Pixel 10 Pro XL, I’ll manage without.

Compact phone fans can rejoice

I know the Pixel 10 Pro doesn’t exactly match the 5.8-inch display we got on the Galaxy S10e, but it’s as compact as we will get in 2025. I’m glad Google didn’t cheap out on the middle child in the Pixel 10 lineup.

Since everyone always says how much they love compact phones, I hope people actually go out and buy a good one.

The Pixel 10 Pro delivers, especially at a discounted price, and it proves that bigger isn’t always better for smartphones.