Google Pixel 10 vs Xiaomi 15 Pro

Google Pixel 10

The Pixel 10 gains a 5x telephoto zoom for the first time on the standard model, with computational photography remaining class-leading. However, the main sensor swap from the Pixel 9 has drawn some criticism.

• Google has done a great job tuning the cameras on this less-expensive Pixel, to the point where it takes photos that look remarkably like images captured with the Pixel 10 Pro XL
• The addition of 5x telephoto zoom to the standard Pixel is a significant upgrade that closes the gap with the Pro models for most photography scenarios
• If you had a Pixel 9 and upgraded to a Pixel 10, you are sacrificing some camera quality to get the rest of the upgrades — Google swapped in the 9a sensor for the main camera
• AI-powered features produce final edited images in under 20 seconds, and computational photography keeps low-light results among the best in any smartphone

Xiaomi 15 Pro

The triple 50MP Leica Summilux system delivers solid results with a standout 5x periscope telephoto. The main sensor with f/1.44 aperture handles most scenarios well, and AI Zoom makes 20x digital shots usable. However, the ultrawide is the clear weak link, and the system can't quite match the Vivo X200 Pro's imaging prowess.

• 5x periscope telephoto (120mm) delivers sharp, detailed results up to 10x — AI Zoom usable at 20x
• Main 50MP sensor with f/1.44 aperture and Leica color science produces pleasing, natural-looking images
• Ultrawide camera (50MP JN1) is the weakest lens — frequently criticized by users as noticeably below main and telephoto quality
• Camera scored 82% on NotebookCheck — the lowest individual category score, behind the Vivo X200 Pro

Google Pixel 10

The Tensor G5 on TSMC 3nm delivers improved CPU efficiency and better thermals, but GeekBench scores still trail Samsung and Apple competitors, and GPU performance remains a weak point.

• The Tensor G5 promises a 34% faster CPU and 60% faster TPU for AI tasks, with significantly improved thermals thanks to TSMC's 3nm fabrication replacing Samsung's process
• While GeekBench scores are much improved over last year's Tensor G4, they still trail the results of the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16 in raw benchmarks
• The Mali GPU has been replaced with a PowerVR one, but GPU performance remains roughly half of what Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers — not a gaming phone
• Despite the lackluster benchmark scores, real-world performance is smooth and responsive for everyday tasks, with AI processing completing quickly

Xiaomi 15 Pro

The Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) delivers a 44% single-core improvement over the previous generation and manages thermals better than most competitors. NotebookCheck awarded a 99% application performance score, placing it among the fastest phones available.

• Snapdragon 8 Elite achieves Geekbench 6 single-core of 3,157 — a 44.4% leap over Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• Better thermal management and sustained performance than competitors like the Oppo Find X8 Pro
• Some throttling under prolonged heavy gaming loads, though managed better than peers