Is the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL Camera Good?

There’s no doubt the Pixel 10 Pro XL is Google’s most advanced flagship phone to date (along with the smaller Pro model, of course). 

A 5200 mAh battery capacity significantly boosts battery life compared to the 9 Pro XL, supported by the Tensor G5 - Google’s first in-house-designed chip. The latest model even breaks its own record for peak brightness, with a display measuring 3300 nits!

And we can’t discuss a Google Pixel phone without considering camera performance. Released on August 28, 2025, at the annual ‘Made By Google’ event in New York City, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is consistently ranked as a top-tier camera phone. 

But why is this? The hardware remains largely unchanged from its predecessor. So what makes the larger Pro’s camera setup one of the best available? Keep reading as we give our overall verdict!

Pixel 10 Pro XL vs 9 Pro XL Camera Tech Specs

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL features a pro triple rear camera system. This system has the same modules as its predecessor, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, with upgrades mainly reserved for software and AI features like Pro Res Zoom.

Before we jump into our full Pixel 10 Pro XL camera review, here’s an overview of its technical specs versus the previous generation:

• Wide (Main): 50 MP 

• Ultrawide: 48 MP 

• Telephoto: 48 MP

• Front: 42 MP

• Zoom: Pro Res Zoom up to 100x (Pixel 10 Pro XL), Super Res Zoom up to 30x (Pixel 9 Pro XL)

• Video: 8K and 4K video recording, 1080p, Super Res Zoom Video up to 20x

Pros of the Pixel 10 Pro XL Camera

The biggest pros of the Pixel 10 Pro XL camera setup are its Pixel software and AI features, which help users enjoy an overall improved Google Pixel camera experience.

These features are so great that the premium flagship has been awarded a DXOMark camera score of 163, putting it 11th in the global rankings and slightly above the 9 Pro XL’s 160 points. For context, the top score is 175, earned by the Huawei Pura 80 Ultra! 

Let’s explore why:

Low-Light Photography

Ever tried to take a photo in the dark and found your phone won’t capture the details properly? This is one area where the Pixel 10 series excels. 

The Pixel 10 Pro XL performs particularly well in low-light conditions, producing bright and detailed photos with minimal image noise (those random speckles or grainy textures you often get in shadowy conditions). 

And the reverse is true, too - the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL camera captures great-looking images in bright sunlight! We found that it maintains good exposure and color accuracy in various lighting conditions. 

However, one slight downside is that the camera struggles with rendering faces in backlit scenes, often resulting in low contrast on faces. And although its performance in low light is improved, some detail loss can occur in very dim conditions.

Pro Res Zoom

If you’re considering investing in a Pro model, you might be disappointed to learn that the base Pixel 10 features a Telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. This appears to bring it much closer to its premium counterparts, without the premium price tag.  

And while the Pixel 10 Pro XL's zoom capabilities are impressive, particularly at 5x, detail can drop at shorter telephoto settings. So, why invest in the more expensive model at all? 

Because of Pro Res Zoom.  The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL camera features a 100x Pro Res Zoom, which uses generative AI to enhance details of distant objects. Without the photo becoming blurry! This only extended up to 30x on the 9 Pro XL, marking a considerable improvement. 

AI Features

The Pixel 10 Pro XL is powered by the Google Tensor G5 processor, which is designed for improved performance and AI capabilities. 

It’s also the first chip designed through Google’s partnership with TSMC, rather than Samsung Foundry. And this partnership has paid off. The G5 runs more reliably than the Tensor G4, scoring significantly higher in benchmark tests!

These AI features extend to the camera. The Pixel 10 Pro XL's AI tools include intelligent object removal and group shot optimization, enhancing the quality of photos taken in various scenarios. They include:

• Video Boost: Your videos are processed through the Cloud for enhanced quality.

• Camera Coach: Assists users in framing shots and selecting camera modes based on the scene. Camera Coach also provides tips on everything from ideal positioning to lighting. 

• Night Sight: The camera's Night Sight feature allows for bright and detailed images in low light conditions, with improved noise management compared to its predecessor.

• Auto Best Take: This tool analyzes up to 150 frames to choose the best group photo.

And the Pixel 10 Pro XL doesn’t just feature new AI-based camera tools, either. Improvements have also been made to features introduced on the Pixel 9 range. Pixel Studio, for instance, now understands your prompts much better and produces higher-quality images than ever before.

Pixel 10 Pro XL Camera Drawbacks

With AI and software as its focus, the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s main drawback is that most of the camera upgrades are reserved for the base model. As we’ve mentioned, this leaves the hardware pretty much the same as last year’s model, which was already extremely high-quality.

To explain this further, the Pixel 10 features a new 10.8 MP Telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, making it the first standard Pixel to sport a triple camera system. However, the overall specs of this system are lower - it now has just 48 MP Main and 13 MP Ultrawide lenses, versus the Pixel 9’s 50 MP and 48 MP. 

Higher specs are instead reserved for the Pro models, including the Pro XL, even if they haven’t changed from the previous generation! In terms of the actual quality of these lenses, however, some users report a temporary delay when taking 50-megapixel images with the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL's video quality is also generally good, with a wide dynamic range and nice colors. However, stabilization could be improved. You may notice the camera shaking slightly if you’re recording while walking.

Our Verdict: Is the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL Camera Good?

Google Pixel phones have always been known for their industry-leading image processing capabilities, and we think the Pixel 10 Pro XL is certainly no exception.

As we’ve discussed, the camera offers no major hardware upgrades from the 9 Pro XL. This is the same across the entire device, which keeps a similar design and display to its predecessor, with upgrades focused on battery life and AI performance. 

However, 100x Pro Res Zoom and AI optimization and editing features like Camera Coach make it a great investment for amateur and pro photographers alike. That’s if you’re willing to pay the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s $1,199 price tag, which positions it within the premium segment of flagship smartphones!

Want to learn more about the Pixel 10 Pro XL and other Google flagships? Keep reading Ghostek Insider for all the latest smartphone news and updates.