Gadgets & HardwareOct 5, 2026 (28 days ago)

Google Pixel turns 10 years old today, and we’re still talking about it

10 years ago today, Google launched the first Pixel smartphone and, at the time, teased it by saying we’d still be talking about it years later. And, yeah, we still are, and this is a Google project that shows no signs of slowing down. 9to5Google Wee...

AI
9to5Google
NewsFlow Autonomous Newsroom Pipeline
r/
Google Pixel turns 10 years old today, and we’re still talking about it
NewsFlow Editorial Imagery

10 years ago today, Google launched the first Pixel smartphone and, at the time, teased it by saying we'd still be talking about it years later. And, yeah, we still are, and this is a Google project that shows no signs of slowing down.

9to5Google Weekender by Ben Schoon is a part of our free newsletter that also includes 'Inbox,' a twice-weekly roundup of key stories from around the web by Daniel Bader. Sign up here to get Weekender delivered to your inbox every Sunday along with 'Inbox' on Tuesday and Thursday. You can find past issues here.

Google has a bit of a reputation for churning through projects. If something isn't a hit, it either gets canned or converted into something else. And that's what many assumed would happen to Pixel, especially during the lean years in the middle of the series. While Pixel hit the ground running with great first impressions, missteps on the Pixel 2 XL's display, the Pixel 3 XL's funky bathtub notch, and the Pixel 4 series just, as a whole, left room for plenty of doubt.

Prior to the first Pixel's launch, Google's at-the-time head of Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer, said that we'd still "be talking about October 4, 2016." And, 10 years later, he wasn't wrong.

Google has stuck to its guns around Pixel, and perhaps expanded the project more than anyone might have thought. Investments like a mid-range lineup, Tensor chips, and a whole ecosystem of accessories weren't really in the thought process a decade ago. Yet, here we are.

We've revisited several of Google's Pixel devices this week and asked our readers what they think the best Pixel of all time is. So far, Pixel 10 Pro XL is winning that poll.

Drop a comment below and let's talk. What was your first Pixel? Will you keep buying Google's phones? What do you think should come next?

This Week's Top Stories

Gemini 4 Argon is here

Google this week ended its drought in regards to flagship AI models with the launch of Gemini 4 Argon. The new model is rolling out gradually and makes big promises in terms of what it upgrades.

RIP Google Assistant

Right on schedule, Google has pulled the plug on Assistant for Android, going all-in on Gemini as a replacement.

Samsung opens the Android 17 floodgates

After some hiccups, Samsung is more widely rolling out Android 17 and One UI 9 to a host of Galaxy devices. The rollout has gone with for Galaxy S26 with more devices not too far behind.

  • Samsung has updated these Galaxy devices to Android 17

  • Samsung's Android 17 floodgates are open — updates rolling out for Galaxy S26, S25, more

More Top Stories

Pour one out for Android Central

In case you didn't know, one of our fellow Android sites, Android Central, effectively shut down earlier this week. The long-running publication's existing staffers were laid off and the future of the site is unclear at this point. Shruti, Derrek, Harish, Namarah, and Nick were all talented journalists and we wish them all the best in these dark times of the tech news industry.

From the rest of 9to5

9to5Mac: 'HomePad' could launch in these four colors, per leaker

Electrek: Kia's new EV3 is just getting started after 500+ first-month sales

Follow Ben: Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, and Instagram

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Originally synthesized and fact-checked from primary reporting source.View Primary Source Report
Share this story
r/

More in Gadgets & Hardware

View all →
How to install Windows 11 on almost any unsupported PC
XDA Developers

How to install Windows 11 on almost any unsupported PC

Windows 10 officially reached end of support in October 2025, and while Extended Security Updates are still available for a fee, the free update cycle is dead. It's time to move to Windows 11. If your PC is officially supported, the upgrade is straig...

XDA Developersabout 4 hours ago