Google Pixel phones need power and parity to fix a confusing product strategy in 2026

1. Phones
2. Google Pixel Phones

Google Pixel phones need power and parity to fix a confusing product strategy in 2026 Opinion By Jamie Richards published 24 December 2025

Shift the strategy

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future) Share Share by:

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Reddit
• Pinterest
• Flipboard
• Threads

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google

At the end of 2025, Google occupies a unique position in the smartphone industry – while Apple and Samsung duke it out over who can cram the fastest silicon or very best cameras into their latest flagship handsets, Google focuses on the user experience, meaningful upgrades, and versatility.

More than anything else, the Google Pixel 10 is the software lover’s flagship phone. The tech giant’s latest flagship phone lineup comprises one standard model, the Pixel 10, a more powerful Pixel 10 Pro and enlarged Pixel 10 Pro XL, and foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

All four phones run a lightweight, near-stock version of Android that comes with a heaped helping of AI features. Google Pixel phones use Google Tensor chipsets, which aren’t as powerful as Apple’s A-series mobile chipsets or the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets found in Galaxy phones, so Google really leans on its software experience to give its phones value.

You may like

• The best Pixel phones 2025: I've tested the Pixel 10 through the Pixel 10 Pro Fold - here's my ranking and tips on which Pixel to buy
• After a week with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, it’s easy to show off but harder to recommend
• I want to see Apple, Samsung, and Google make phone cameras exciting again

For the most part, this has paid off pretty well. The Google Pixel 10 is our current pick for the best Android phone for everybody, meaning its user experience is friendly and useful to new and expert users alike.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL ranks amongst the best camera phones due to its advanced three-lens setup. (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

And on the high-end of the lineup, our four-and-a-half star Google Pixel 10 Pro XL review praises the phone’s software and AI experience as unintrusive and powerful, true to the nature of the Pixel lineup.

But that software experience isn’t quite the same on the standard Google Pixel 10 – indeed, there are a handful of cool and interesting features that only the Pro models get (as our Google Pixel 10 review highlights), which I’ve always found to be an odd choice for a flagship lineup that leans so heavily on software.

Specifically, the Google Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold get new call screening and call log features that can check for spammers and take notes while you’re on the phone.

Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox

Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

And Google locks away certain camera controls on the standard Pixel 10 for seemingly arbitrary reasons – despite having a 50MP main sensor, you can’t enable 50MP portrait shots or access advanced camera options to change things like your ISO sensitivity. You can do these things on a Pixel 10 Pro.

This is despite the Google Pixel 10 lineup all sharing the same Google Tensor G5 chipset. Sure, the Pro models have 16GB of RAM compared to the standard model’s 12GB, but you can’t seriously tell me that this is why Google has locked away advanced camera controls on the standard model. And Apple Intelligence manages call screening and summaries on phones with as little as 8GB of RAM, so I don’t quite buy that Google couldn’t make it work with the Pixel 10’s 12GB allowance.

So, what can Google do to clear up this confusing product strategy in 2026?

You may like

• The best Pixel phones 2025: I've tested the Pixel 10 through the Pixel 10 Pro Fold - here's my ranking and tips on which Pixel to buy
• I want to see Apple, Samsung, and Google make phone cameras exciting again
• Leaked Google Pixel 10a renders suggest it will retain the Pixel 9a’s one big weakness

I want to see the Google Pixel 10 Pro's exclusive software tools come to the basic Pixel 11. (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

In my opinion there’s a pretty simple answer here – bring the Google Pixel Pro’s exclusive software features to the regular Google Pixel.

I understand completely that phone makers need to distinguish the different models in their lineups somehow. A Pro or Ultra-grade phone needs to earn its title with a handful of exclusive features, and a base model handset can’t stick to a reasonable price if it has all the latest and greatest tech.

But when we look at the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, or the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, what sets the two tiers apart isn’t a matter of software, but hardware.

That’s a convention for a reason. When I pick up an iPhone 17, it’s nice to know that I have access to everything the iPhone 17 Pro can do on the software side of things, and equally the tangibility of hardware upgrades like the iPhone 17 Pro’s telephoto camera makes paying more for the Pro phone, makes more sense than, say, a few extra settings to fiddle with.

And, to be frank, there’s already enough of a hardware difference between the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro to warrant the higher price point. The Pixel 10 Pro has a much more capable camera system than its smaller sibling, as well as a more advanced LTPO display, and a snazzier design with shiny aluminum rails.

If it really is a case of bumping up the base-model's 12GB of RAM to 16GB, then I think Google should just do it – this would have the secondary effect of reassuring users about the hardware power of the standard model, given the lesser performance of the Tensor G5 chipset compared to rival flagships.

Stratifying the software experience feels unnecessary in this context, and especially confusing for the phone brand that leans most heavily on its software experience. Here’s hoping the rumored Pixel 11 series can set things straight in the coming year.

Today's best Google Pixel dealsGoogle Pixel 10 Pro SG$1,799View DealSee all pricesGoogle Pixel 10 Pro XL SG$1,800View DealSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow TechRadar on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on WhatsApp too.

TOPICS Google Jamie RichardsSocial Links NavigationMobile Computing Staff Writer

Jamie is a Mobile Computing Staff Writer for TechRadar, responsible for covering phones and tablets. A lifelong tech-obsessive, Jamie began his writing career as a music blogger before studying journalism at Goldsmiths College, and joined TechRadar in 2024. He thinks the iPhone 5S is the greatest phone of all time, but is currently an Android user.

As well as reporting on the latest in mobile hardware, software, and industry developments, Jamie specialises in features and long-form pieces that dive into the latest phone and tablet trends. He can also be found writing for the site's Audio and Streaming sections from time to time, or behind the decks as a DJ at local venues around London.

Show More Comments

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more The best Pixel phones 2025: I've tested the Pixel 10 through the Pixel 10 Pro Fold - here's my ranking and tips on which Pixel to buy    I want to see Apple, Samsung, and Google make phone cameras exciting again    Leaked Google Pixel 10a renders suggest it will retain the Pixel 9a’s one big weakness    The best phone 2025    All the gear and no idea – my new phone camera is wasted on me, but Google might have already found a solution    Should I look for Black Friday smartphone deals today or wait for what’s coming tomorrow? I’ve previewed the future, here’s what I’d wait for    Latest in Google Pixel Phones Google smashes language barriers with live translation for any earbuds on Android — here’s how it works    Google is rolling out a Pixel Camera 10.2 update that's confusing everyone    The next Android 16 update has landed – here are the 7 biggest features    Google's AirDrop hack for Android is having some early teething issues    Android and iPhones call a truce – Quick Share now works with Apple's AirDrop    Call Recording is rolling out to some Google Pixel phones now – here’s how to use it    Latest in Opinion ChatGPT’s new settings range from corporate calm to chaotic bestie    Size does matter: I think the iPhone 17 has the perfect dimensions    How RomCom became a multipurpose cyberweapon    Threat actor landscape: what every CISO must know to stay ahead    How AI is preventing collisions, driving productivity, and transforming physical operations    From SaaS to AI: the technological and cultural shifts leaders must confront    LATEST ARTICLES

1. 1The Cosori 5L Rice Cooker review is a multifunctional appliance that delivers mixed results
2. 2Google Pixel phones need power and parity to fix a confusing product strategy in 2026
3. 3Another image of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 leaks — and it could come with a mysterious new accessory
4. 4This Switch 2 Joy-Con replacement was already my most anticipated accessory — and now it’s getting two new versions plus cool pre-order bonuses
5. 5What is the release date for Spartacus: House of Ashur episode 5 on Starz?