Pixel 10 Pro XL Gaming: Is It a Step Backwards?

10/26/2025 Mobile Gaming

Pixel 10 Pro XL: Is it a Gaming Downgrade?

I recently put the Pixel 10 Pro XL through its paces, testing popular Android games and emulators. The results? Disappointing, to say the least. It seems like Google's newest flagship might not be the best choice for serious mobile gamers. In some instances, the Pixel 10 Pro XL actually performs worse than last year's Pixel 9 Pro XL.

When looking at Android games, both devices were tested using the latest and most popular titles. For example, I tried "Call of Duty: Mobile," "Asphalt Legends," and "Genshin Impact." While all games were playable, the Pixel 10 Pro XL had inconsistent performance, failing to consistently deliver smooth gameplay.

The Nitty-Gritty Details

Digging deeper into the data, some stark differences emerged. In "Asphalt Legends," the Pixel 10 Pro XL struggled to reach a stable 60fps, which the older Pixel 9 Pro XL managed to do. What's more, the Pixel 10 Pro XL experienced more "jank" - those annoying micro-stutters that can ruin your immersion.

I was also quite surprised that the Pixel 10 Pro XL had troubles with "COD Mobile". Even though the average frame rates were comparable, the newer model exhibited significantly more frame rendering issues, leading to a less fluid experience.

"Genshin Impact" did show some promise on the Pixel 10 Pro XL, potentially due to its utilization of a different graphics API. Nevertheless, even there, it couldn't maintain a solid 60fps, and there were occasional, yet significant, performance hiccups.

Power and Compatibility Problems

Performance isn't the only concern. The Pixel 10 Pro XL tends to consume more power, especially in graphically intensive games like "Genshin Impact." I'm talking about an unsustainable 7.2W average, which will quickly drain your battery. Furthermore, the game compatibility is another major drawback. Some games simply aren't supported on the PowerVR GPUs used in the Pixel 10.

Also, I noticed graphical glitches in "COD Mobile" with anti-aliasing enabled, which I believe could be due to limited driver support. Speaking of drivers, the Pixel 10 series ships with an older GPU driver, and updates have been slow to roll out.

In conclusion, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL can handle popular Android games, it's not exactly a stellar performer, and in some ways, it's a step back from its predecessor. If you're a serious mobile gamer, you might want to hold off on the Pixel 10 series. The Pixel 9 lineup could offer better performance, especially when we talk about emulators, at a lower price.