FedEx delivered quite the prize yesterday afternoon: a phone I have long contemplated trying out. As you can see from the Featured Image: Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. Testing starts tomorrow; I dedicated today to setup.
By the way, manufacturers and retailers are offering some surprising enticing deals on the device, for the holidays—and most expire soon. Full selling price is $1,199 for the 256GB variant. Best Buy and Google currently discount to $899 and Amazon to $849. AT&T and Verizon claim $0 per month, based on bill credits spread out over three years. But there are conditions, like trade-in device, new line of service, or correct rate plan. What’s that saying? If it’s too good to be true…
Mint Mobile serves up the most attractive deal: $499. That’s right, $700 discount. Remember, this is Google’s top-of-the line Pixel. By comparison, discounts for iPhone 17 Pro Max, which also starts at $1,199, are stingy. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which I used to shoot the main photo, starts at $1,299 and also is beret of any price close to Mint’s.
Mint sells prepaid service, which you must purchase with the phone. Current promotion cuts the cost of the unlimited tier by half over 12 months. That’s $180 up front for the term plus cost of the phone, for a before tax amount of $679—less than the other retail prices for the handset only. If you need another line and a new Android, consider Mint. I would.
Some super quick reactions: Phone feels zippy, which contradicts many of the reviews dinging Google’s Tensor G5 chip. The Pixel 10 Pro XL and Galaxy S25 Ultra are about the same dimensions. However, the Google phone is slipperier to hold, and the screen is super reflective compared to the Samsung, which sports an anti-reflective coating).
Look for a future review. But for today that’s a wrap, with the photo vitals: f/1.9, ISO 80, 1/125 sec, 13mm (film equivalent); 3:05 p.m.