Google Pixel 10: Price, specs and cheapest plans

If you're keen to get in on Google's tenth generation of Pixel hardware for the cheapest price, the standard Pixel 10 is probably the smartphone you're looking for. Despite its position at the bottom of the roster, there's still a ton to like about it - from the Tensor G5 processor to new AI features like Magic Cue and Camera Coach.

If you're unsure whether the new Pixel 10 is the right fit for you, we're here to help you find your way. In this guide, we've compiled a full rundown of everything you need to know about Google's new premium smartphone. Regardless of whether you're after the general gist or an in-depth breakdown of the specs, we've got you covered.

From how it compares to the Pixel 10 Pro to when you can get your hands on the device and how much it will cost in Australia, here's everything you need to know about the Pixel 10.

Telstra and Optus are both offering the Google Pixel 10 on a plan. No matter which telco you go with, you'll get to choose between a 24-month plan or a 36-month plan. A 36-month plan will always be cheaper, but it means you're paying your phone off over a longer period of time. A 24-month plan is more expensive, but you'll own your Pixel phone quicker.

Here's a look at 36-month plans for the 128GB Google Pixel 10:

Here are 36-month plans for 256GB Google Pixel 10: 

If you'd prefer a shorter repayment term, here are 24-month plans for the 128GB Google Pixel 10:

Here are 24-month plans for the 256GB Google Pixel 10:

In Australia, the price of the Google Pixel 10 starts at $1349. Given Google raised the RRP of its premium smartphones last year, it's not a huge shock that they've held back on doing so for a second year in a row.

For a sense of how the Pixel 10 compares to the rest of Google's roster in terms of price, check out the pricing table below.

The Pixel 10 doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it does come armed with several key improvements like a new processor, an extra camera lens and support for faster wireless charging. It also doubles down on AI, with new features like Magic Cue and Camera Coach.

• Qi 2 wireless charging:  The Pixel 10 comes with support for faster wireless charging of up to 15W.
• New processor: The Pixel 10 is powered by Google's fifth-generation Tensor processor.
  
• Additional AI features:  The Pixel 10 ships with the latest version of Android and a bagful of new AI features, such as Magic Cue and Camera Coach.
• Fewer megapixels, more camera lenses: Although the ultrawide lens on the back of the Pixel 10 has significantly fewer megapixels than its 2024 counterpart, this year's device is the first entry-level Pixel phone to come with a telephoto lens.

 The Pixel 10 has aluminium sides, a 6.3-inch Actua display clocked at 120Hz and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. Even if the dimensions are pretty comparable to the screen found on last year's Pixel 9, it's worth noting that the newer display does come with about 300 more nits of brightness.

Under the hood, the Pixel 10 is powered by the same Tensor G5 processor found in the rest of this year's Pixel lineup. According to Google, this silicon offers 34% faster CPU performance when compared to last year's Tensor G4. It also comes with an improved ISP that promises to translate into better camera performance.

Like last year's Pixel phones, the Pixel 10 come with 7 years of operating system upgrades and security updates. The cheaper Pixel 10 pairs this up with 12GB of RAM while the Pro models ship with 16GB all up.

As for battery life, the Pixel 10 comes with a 4970mAh battery. That's not as large as the one found in the larger Pixel 10 Pro XL. However, it is a slight upgrade on the 4700mAh one found inside last year's Pixel 9. 

The camera configuration is another area where Google's latest gang of Pixel phones differ. The standard Pixel 10 has a 48MP wide-angle lens, a 10.8MP telephoto lens and a 13MP ultrawide lens on the back of it. This is significant in that it represents the first entry-level Pixel phone to ship with three cameras on the back of it rather than just two.

On paper, this is something of a sidegrade on last year's Pixel 9. That device featured a 50MP main sensor and a 48MP ultrawide one. We won't know just how much those few megapixels count until we've had the chance to review the Pixel 10. All the same, it does feel like the telephoto lens added here has come at a cost when it comes to the ultrawide end of things.

In addition to the above hardware tweaks, Google is more explicitly integrating AI into the camera on the Pixel 10. For instance, there's a new camera coach feature that uses on-screen instructions to help guide you towards taking better photos if you don't know where to start. 

Yes, the Google Pixel 10 comes with 5G connectivity on par with what you can find in the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup. Of course, you'll need to be located in an area with 5G coverage in order to actually make use of this feature. To see where is 5G available in Australia, use the coverage map below.

The only mobile providers in Australia that offer Google Pixel 10 plans are the two biggest: Optus and Telstra.

Regardless of which provider you pick, you plan will be structured the same way so be sure to pick the one that best suits your individual needs. Optus and Telstra offer a variety of perks and plan features, which we'll cover below.

Firstly though, you'll want to consider coverage. When it comes to size, the Telstra network has a well-earned reputation for offering the widest coverage in Australia. Meanwhile, Optus sits in second place.

Optus' smallest plan has a big 50GB of data, which is well above the average national usage. There's also data sharing if you have multiple plans on the same account, which can be handy for families. 

That said, Optus' Google Pixel 10 plans include more than just a bigger data allowance. The more expensive options also come with unlimited international calls to select destinations. That's great to have if you're looking to keep in touch with friends and family overseas. If you're planning to travel abroad yourself, Optus has good roaming add-ons too. You can score 5GB of data and unlimited local talk & text for $5 per day when roaming in select countries.

It's also worth remembering that Optus mobile plans come with no data overage fees. If you go over your monthly data limit, you won't incur any unexpectedly high fees but you will have you speed capped at 1.5Mbps until the end of your current billing cycle. 

Optus customers also get access to SubHub – a platform that lets you combine multiple subscription services (such as Netflix, Microsoft 365, and others) into a single bill, along with a 5% or 10% discount, depending on whether you sync two or three or more services.

Telstra's Google Pixel 10 plans are the most expensive, but Australia's biggest telco is also well known for its wider network coverage and all the perks you'd expect given the premium price.

Once again, the smallest plan has 50GB. This is far higher than the average Australian uses each month and while there are no overage charges for going past your data limit (instead you're slowed to 1.5Mbps), there's no data banking or rollover to let you hang onto your unused data. Fortunately, as with the other big three providers, you can share data between up to 10 mobile services on the same eligible account.

All Telstra's Google Pixel 10 plans come with 30 minutes of international calls to all destinations – not a lot of minutes, but without the usual limit on the number of countries that are included. International calling packs are available for additional minutes.

Roaming is relatively easy to do, but not as affordable as Optus or Telstra in most circumstances. Travelling in New Zealand will cost you $5 per day, but most other countries are $10 per day. You'll get 2GB to use per day. 

Finally, you've got the Telstra Plus system. You earn points based on eligible plan payments. You can use these put towards purchases from the Telstra Plus Rewards store, such tech, gadgets, and gift cards. You can also get discounted movie tickets, pre-sale tickets for concerts, and more.

In any case, Telstra's biggest selling point is still the size of its network. With a population coverage of 99.7% for 4G, Telstra sits ahead of Optus' 98.5% and Vodafone's 98.4%. When it comes to 5G, Telstra offers an even bigger lead. With 95% of the population covered with 5G, it's comfortably ahead of Optus' 80.5%. Meanwhile, Vodafone doesn't even publish clear 5G coverage stats, so there's no comparison to be made there.

Even in regional areas that fall outside the reach of the largest mobile network in Australia, Telstra customers can still stay connected via the provider's new Starlink-powered messaging service. If you live in rural Australia, this feature is nice to have. That said, it does come with a few caveats such as being limited to text-messaging, requiring a direct line-of-sight to the sky and only working within the Starlink's satellite coverage footprint.