When the Google Pixel 10 launched in August 2025, it made a strong impression, earning the reputation of being “the iPhone for Android users.” It boasts a 6.3-inch OLED display with a crisp 1080p resolution and a peak brightness of 3000 nits. Google also enhanced the camera system this generation, equipping it with front lenses of 8 MP, 10.8 MP, and 13 MP. The phone is powered by a 4,970mAh battery and supports Qi 2 magnetic charging.
However, the Pixel 10 hasn’t satisfied everyone. Many users found the Tensor G5 chip underwhelming, especially in gaming, with reports of freezes, slowdowns, and crashes during popular games like “Genshin Impact.” Despite Google’s promise to release drivers to boost the PowerVR GPU’s performance, the improvements didn’t fully meet user expectations.
Fortunately, there are alternatives that offer better performance at comparable or even lower prices. Below are four top contenders, detailing how they compare to the Pixel 10 in terms of overall performance, battery life, and other key features.
Galaxy S25
The Galaxy S25 may not be as feature-packed as its Ultra sibling, but it delivers impressive performance. Its 6.2-inch AMOLED display operates at 120 Hz with a resolution of 2340 x 1080, while the phone runs on a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip paired with 12 GB of RAM. Storage options include 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB, with the 128 GB model priced the same as the Pixel 10 at $799.99 on Amazon. The triple-camera setup includes a 50 MP main lens, a 12 MP ultra-wide, and a 10 MP telephoto lens. While the telephoto lens offers up to 3x zoom compared to the Pixel 10’s 5x, the S25 packs robust software features, including Galaxy AI with context-aware suggestions and smart editing tools. Its 4,000mAh battery is slightly smaller than the Pixel 10’s, and charging is slower.
OnePlus 13R
The OnePlus 13R stands out as a flagship killer, priced at $600—$200 less than the Galaxy S25. It features a 6.78-inch ProXDR AMOLED display running at 120 Hz with a resolution of 2780 x 1264, and it is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. With 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, it offers impressive specs for the price. Its camera setup includes a 50 MP main camera, a 50 MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and an 8 MP ultra-wide lens capturing a 112-degree field of view. The OnePlus 13R excels in battery life with a massive 6,000mAh battery that supports up to 24 hours of video playback and features Smart Rapid Charging, reaching 50% charge in 23 minutes. It runs on OxygenOS, a custom Android-based OS, offering AI functions like device-wide search and AI-powered image upscaling.
Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is a well-rounded device featuring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy processor. Although it may not be as fast as the S25, it outperforms the Pixel 10 in many benchmarks. Its 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display supports a high resolution of 3088 x 1440 and a 120 Hz refresh rate. Storage options range from 256 GB to 1 TB, with a 256 GB refurbished model available for $674.99 on Amazon. The camera system is versatile, including a 200 MP main sensor, a 50 MP 5x periscope telephoto, a 10 MP 3x periscope telephoto, and a 12 MP ultra-wide lens. Its 5,000mAh battery can deliver up to 30 hours of video playback or 95 hours of music on a single charge. Launched last year, it still supports Galaxy AI features such as live translation and note assistance, and sports a durable titanium frame, distinguishing it from the regular S24.
iQOO 12
Aimed squarely at gamers, the iQOO 12 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and boasts gaming-oriented features like 144 FPS interpolation and Game Super Resolution for enhanced graphics—though performance varies across games. Its vapor chamber cooling system keeps temperatures low during extended gaming sessions. Beyond gaming, it includes a 6.78-inch 144 Hz AMOLED display with a resolution of 2800 x 1260 pixels and a triple-camera setup with 50 MP main and ultra-wide lenses plus a 64 MP telephoto lens. Notably, the iQOO 12 isn’t officially sold in the US, but unlocked secondhand models typically sell for around $650.
