iPhone 17 Air vs Google Pixel 10: There are two phones creating a lot of hype in the smartphone market right now – Apple’s iPhone 17 Air, which is rumored to be a replacement for the “Plus” model, and Google’s Pixel 10, which has already been officially launched. Both phones come with different philosophies. The iPhone 17 Air will attract for its super-slim design and 120Hz display, especially for first-time non-Pro iPhone users. The Pixel 10 aims to become the king of computational photography and on-device AI, thanks to the Tensor G5 chip. Now let’s compare both phones in detail.
Design & Display
The design of the iPhone 17 Air looks ultra-thin and premium, it may be the thinnest iPhone till now. According to rumours, the frame could be made of titanium and the build would be quite refined. The display is quite impressive – 6.6-inch LTPO OLED with 120Hz refresh rate and possibility of anti-reflective coating. There is a Ceramic Shield on the front and tough glass back for durability, along with support for IP68 water and dust resistance.
The design of the Pixel 10 is slightly familiar but comes with a refined and slim profile. Google has used recycled materials and a matte glass back. The display is a 6.3-inch Actua OLED with 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness goes up to 3000 nits, which is quite an advantage for outdoor use. There is Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back for durability and IP68 rating.
The verdict is that the iPhone 17 Air will attract customers for its fresh ultra-slim design and premium feel, while the Pixel 10 offers a solid and bright display, especially for outdoor usage in sunlight.
Performance
Both phones are quite strong in terms of performance. The iPhone 17 Air is rumored to have an A19 Bionic chip, which will provide top efficiency and performance in apps and multitasking in Apple’s ecosystem. RAM leaks are expected to be 8GB or 12GB, which is a significant upgrade over previous non-Pro models. iOS 19 is expected, which offers tight integration of hardware and software.
The Pixel 10 has a Tensor G5 chip, which is quite strong in AI-driven tasks – like real-time photo editing, live translation and computational photography. RAM is 12GB and Magic UI along with Android 16 gives a clean, user-friendly experience.
The verdict is that if you want ecosystem and efficiency, iPhone 17 Air will be better. If AI tasks and advanced computational photography are the target, then Pixel 10 gives the edge.
Cameras
In terms of camera, Pixel 10 is slightly in the lead. iPhone 17 Air has a dual-camera setup – 48MP main sensor and 12MP ultrawide lens. Telephoto lens is not expected. The front camera is rumored to be 24MP, and Apple’s camera will be strong for color accuracy and video recording.
Pixel 10 has a triple-camera setup – 48MP main, 13MP ultrawide and 10.08MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The front camera is 10.5MP. Pixel’s telephoto and AI editing tools like Magic Editor and Voice Image Edit make it versatile in photography.
The verification is that the Pixel 10 is clearly better for optical zoom and AI-enhanced photos, and for general photography the iPhone 17 Air’s camera will be quite decent, but a bit limited in front of the Pixel’s versatility.
Price & Value
The Pixel 10 is quite competitive in terms of price. The iPhone 17 Air can start at an expected $949, while the Pixel 10 is officially available at $799. The Pixel 10 offers more RAM, triple-camera setup, and AI-powered Tensor G5 chip at a lower price. The ultra-thin design and ecosystem integration of the iPhone 17 Air attracts, but from a feature-for-money point of view, the Pixel 10 provides better value.