I’ve lost count of the amount of Android phones I’ve reviewed over the years, and while there are plenty of things I love about Google’s operating system and the phones that use it, I always end up returning to my trusty iPhone as soon as the testing period is done.
It’s been that way for a long time, but with the release of the Google Pixel 10, I think I might end up staying in camp Android for good.
I wish I could say that my adherence to Apple has had something to do with its ecosystem, the sleek appearance of iOS or the excellent performance of accessories such as the Apple Watch Series 10 or the AirPods Pro 2 – and while they certainly are great, they aren’t the reason.
Nope, it’s MagSafe that’s got me hooked like a… well, like a magnet.
I’ve got MagSafe chargers, a MagSafe car mount, the MagSafe enabled ShiftCam SnapGrip camera accessory and even a MagSafe wallet. Apple’s magnetic mounting system has added a level of convenience to my life that Android, thus far, hasn’t been able to replicate.
However, with the introduction of Pixelsnap on Google’s latest phones, the company has finally embraced the MagSafe-style Qi2 charging method that Android’s been missing. Plus, the Pixel 10 phones are compatible with MagSafe (with some caveats).
Now, instead of having to use my Android phone as a hotspot during a long drive whilst my iPhone 16 Plus is mounted with a constant view of Google Maps, I can just prop up the Pixel 10 instead and be on my way. I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting for this all-in-one fix, although I’m sure that the only other people who have had to endure it are fellow tech journalists, and anyone who uses an iPhone for their personal number and an Android as their work phone.
Still, it’s worth pointing out that while Pixelsnap will give me the chance to properly move over to Android, I think that the Pixel 10’s other new features might end up delivering a better overall experience than the one Apple currently offers.
If Google AI can truly deliver on its promise of using apps on your behalf to arrange bookings, group text certain family members and more, then it’s hard to imagine how Siri could ever catch up.
You can’t even ask Siri if there’s a recent software update that needs downloading, so to see Google promising such impressive AI features, just makes it seem that Android is playing a different ballgame.
Of course, all of this will depend on the power provided by the all-new Tensor G5 chipset. We’ve all been waiting to see what a custom-built Google processor might look like, and now we finally get a chance to see it come to fruition.
My hopes for the Pixel 10 are high, but the fact that it’s already fixed one of my biggest problems with Android could make it my go-to phone for 2025 and beyond.
See more news and opinions on the Pixel 10 phones in our dedicated 2025 Google Pixel Event hub.
