Google Pixel 10 vs Xiaomi 15 Ultra

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 Ultra

The crown jewel — a triple Leica camera system with a 1-inch main sensor, 200MP telephoto, and 50MP ultrawide that redefines smartphone photography.

• The 1-inch main sensor captures more light and detail than any competing smartphone camera — photos have a depth and quality that approaches dedicated cameras
• 200MP telephoto with 4.3x optical zoom produces incredibly detailed zoom shots that rival the Galaxy S25 Ultra's 5x periscope
• Leica color science produces warm, film-like tones with natural skin rendering that photographers love
• Video stabilization is the best on any Android phone, though color consistency and dynamic range in video still trail the iPhone

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 Ultra

Snapdragon 8 Elite with 16GB RAM delivers the fastest Android performance available with excellent thermal management.

• Snapdragon 8 Elite with 16GB RAM makes this one of the fastest phones tested — no app or game can slow it down
• Liquid cooling system keeps sustained performance high with minimal throttling during extended gaming sessions
• 16GB RAM ensures smooth multitasking with dozens of apps in memory and efficient AI processing

Google Pixel 10

The 4,970mAh battery with upgraded 30W wired charging comfortably lasts a full day, though charging speeds remain slow by 2025 flagship standards.

• The Pixel 10 boasts a 4,970mAh battery — a meaningful upgrade that comfortably gets through a full day of mixed use with battery to spare
• Battery life is solid with only one day dropping to 15% since launch — Qi2/PixelSnap is a really great quality-of-life improvement for wireless charging
• 30W wired charging is upgraded from the Pixel 9 but still painfully slow compared to Android competitors offering 65-120W fast charging

Xiaomi 15 Ultra

A 5,500mAh battery with 90W wired and 50W wireless charging delivers both excellent endurance and class-leading charging speeds.

• 90W wired charging fills the 5,500mAh battery from 0 to 100% in about 35 minutes — among the fastest in any flagship
• Battery easily lasts a full day of heavy use including intensive camera work and gaming
• 50W wireless charging is fast enough to replace wired charging for most daily use scenarios

Google Pixel 10

Android 16 with deeply integrated Gemini AI brings features like Magic Cue and enhanced computational photography, though many AI features feel half-baked or are region-limited.

• Google made Android 16 both intuitive and quirky — the Pixel 10 is recommended to people looking to switch from iPhone because of how polished the software experience is
• Many of the new AI features don't live up to Google's promises, with Magic Cue being the most notable culprit — cool on paper but flaky in real life
• Seven years of OS and security updates provide excellent long-term software support that matches Apple's commitment and justifies the investment
• AI functions have problems with hallucination and misunderstanding user intent — in one case offering condolences when a user's daughter's friend was simply transferring schools

Xiaomi 15 Ultra

HyperOS 2 on Android 15 is feature-rich but divisive — powerful customization options are offset by ads and bloatware in some regions.

• HyperOS 2 is more polished than MIUI, with smooth animations, useful sidebar multitasking, and deep customization
• Pre-installed apps and occasional ads in system UI detract from the premium experience in some regional variants
• Four years of OS updates and five years of security updates — decent but short of Samsung and Google seven-year commitments