Despite iPhone's popularity, Google's future Pixel phones could still attract iPhone users.
iPhone 17 works to rebuild user trust in Apple's products, but Pixel 10 remains a dangerous temptation.
The Pixel 10 Is Available at Amazon
The Pixel 10 has arrived! This model includes the Tensor G5 chip with 12GB of RAM, enabling excellent AI capabilities and efficient performance. It is available at its normal price via Amazon.
Buy at Amazon
The iPhone 17: $0.00/mo. at Verizon
$0 /mo
$23 05
$23 off (100%)
The iPhone 17 provides an enhanced design, improved battery performance, and powerful performance. Currently, it's available for $0.00 monthly with an Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, or Unlimited Ultimate plan.
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iPhone Air: $0.00/mo. at Verizon
$0 /mo
$27 77
$28 off (100%)
The iPhone Air is now available! You can purchase the iPhone Air from Verizon for $0.00 per month with a new line on select Unlimited plans, plus a trade-in. This offer is exclusively online.
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The most obvious difference when comparing these phones is the telephoto camera. Apple still reserves the telephoto lens for its Pro models, so the iPhone 17 uses a main and ultrawide lens combination. With the Pixel 10, Google instead reduced the sensor size of the main and ultrawide cameras to include a 5x telephoto lens.
In testing, the Pixel 10 did not always have the video stabilization of iPhones, particularly at night, but the higher quality and extra zoom are useful. A telephoto lens distinguishes between simple photos and versatile shooting. It's also more useful for portraits, and even for landscape photography, as it can remove distractions by zooming.
The Pixel 10 scored 147 points on the PhoneArena Camera Score, with high marks for the main and selfie cameras. Zoom was not as good as the Pro models, but its inclusion is significant at this price. Before the Pixel 10, Samsung was the only major manufacturer with one.
The Pixel 10 has a better camera system than the iPhone, which is appealing to those wanting more flexibility when recording videos.
Selfie camera: Apple’s focus
However, the iPhone has its own advantage. If the telephoto camera is the Pixel's strength this year, the selfie camera is Apple’s. The iPhone 17 replaces the 12 MP front camera, unchanged since the iPhone 11, with a new 18 MP one (or it defaults to 18 MP).
I recently argued that this is the most important upgrade in the iPhone 17 lineup, even more than the 48 MP ultrawide camera. Most people take or use selfies daily, so a better front camera can be valuable to people who use FaceTime, social media videos, or vlogs. Apple’s new square sensor allows for sharper photos, wider group shots, and more stable video. It also uses Action Mode stabilization from the rear cameras, making it good for creators.
This creates an interesting parallel. Apple is improving the most-used part of the phone, while Google is improving the camera that broadens creative shooting.
Qi2 support removes an obstacle
When I argued that the Pixel 10 would attract iPhone users, I mentioned Qi2 magnetic charging as a potential advantage. This means iPhones have one less unique feature.
The Pixel 10 is the first Android phone with magnetic wireless charging. That gives it an edge over competitors, but it also removes another reason for iPhone users to stay.
The Pixel 10 is compatible with Pixel Snap and MagSafe accessories, so you can use existing iPhone accessories! Google has excelled with this.
AI features: Apple’s weakness
Apple has begun releasing new Apple Intelligence features with iOS 26. Features such as Live Translation and smarter Messages are promising, but the iPhone’s AI features don’t work as well as Google AI. We are also waiting for Siri 2.0.
The Pixel 10 leads the smartphone market in AI integration. While Magic Cue felt like a gimmick and Video Boost can be slow, features like Best Take, Magic Editor, Add Me, and Audio Eraser are impressive.
Voice Translate during calls is especially impressive on the Pixel, working in real time and cloning your voice into the translated language. Recorder with summaries, Call Notes, and Smart Voice Typing are also good features that work well on the Pixel.
Battery life and charging results
Apple says the iPhone 17 lasts up to 30 hours of video playback, compared to 22 on the iPhone 16. Charging is also faster with Apple’s new 40W adapter, reaching 50 percent in about 20 minutes. Wireless charging stays at 25W with MagSafe and Qi2.
Our Pixel 10 results were impressive:
Google Pixel 10
( 4970 mAh )
Battery Life Estimate
7h 16m
Ranks #55 for phones tested in the past 2 years
Average is 7h 7m
Browsing
21h
Average is 16h 44m
Video
10h
Average is 10h 6m
Gaming
5h 1m
Average is 10h 4m
Charging speed
30W
Charger
50%
30 min
1h 29m
Full charge
Ranks #104 for phones released in the past 2 years
Wireless Charging
15W
Charger
N/A
30 min
N/A
Full charge
Find out more details about battery and charging for all phones we have tested on our PhoneArena Battery Score page
The Pixel 10 is strong for browsing and video. Its only drawback is gaming, but most people will find its performance good. Apple may have the advantage once we test the iPhone 17, but the Pixel 10 is similar in key areas.
Price and storage
Apple has the advantage here. The iPhone 17 doubles the base storage to 256 GB at $799. The Pixel 10 still starts at 128 GB, making it harder to justify at full price. Many users will want the 256 GB version, increasing the cost. However, you get a telephoto camera, which can be more important than 256 GB of storage. You can always get more cloud storage, but you cannot add a telephoto camera to your phone.
I find 128 GB sufficient, if I use cloud storage, and I shoot many videos and photos.
Why the Pixel 10 is still compelling
Apple has made the iPhone 17 its best base model in years. It improved the display with ProMotion, boosted the cameras, improved battery life, and gave buyers more storage. For most users, it is the most reasonable iPhone to buy.
Even so, the Pixel 10 is still good. A 5x telephoto at $799, with magnetic charging, a wider range of AI features, and good battery life for browsing and video make it a real alternative for those wanting to leave the iPhone.
Apple closed some gaps, but Google removed a major barrier. If you are considering leaving iOS, the Pixel 10 still makes the switch viable.
Also read: Pixel 10 review
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