Pixel phones are a complete mess in 2026, but these five powerful reasons still put them above the competition

Our recent polls suggest that you are truly loyal to Pixel phones.

This article may contain personal views and opinion from the author.
Display of the Pixel 10 Pro.
Google Pixel 10 Pro. | Image by PhoneArena
Things have definitely not been the best for Pixel smartphones this year. After installing the March update, Pixel owners started reporting various issues on their smartphones.

I, personally, noticed that my Pixel 10's performance has really gone downhill ever since installing the update. Despite so many problems, I, along with most of our readers, would still consider a Pixel device whenever they get the chance to upgrade their smartphone.

Pixel phones are the best


My colleague, Anam, recently covered a story talking about the battery drainage issue that a lot of Pixel users have been facing ever since the March feature drop. The post has a poll where Pixel users were asked to choose a brand to which they'll upgrade if they get the chance.

At the time of writing, the poll has received 1,042 votes, with more than 55% of voters choosing the option that says they will stick with their Pixel phones. As someone who switched to Pixel after being an iPhone customer for four years, I am with you guys. I will stick with Pixel phones because of the reasons mentioned below.

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As a Pixel user, which brand would you choose for your next upgrade?
1057 Votes

Plenty of AI capabilities


Whether you like it or not, AI features are what almost all smartphone brands are currently focusing on, and Google offers plenty of cool AI features in its smartphones. One of these capabilities is the Magic Cue that I find myself using a lot.

Other than this, you also get AI-powered scam detection, Gemini Live, and Camera Coach. AI-powered features have also been integrated into several important Pixel applications.

For instance, you can use the Screenshot app's search feature to quickly find your desired screenshot. Similarly, the Recorder app's on-device AI provides transcription and summarization of your recordings.

Pixel UI


I've used plenty of Android skins, and I can confidently say that Pixel UI is the best. One UI is definitely great, but I, personally, find Pixel UI slightly better.

The best thing about it is that it's quirky, colorful, and offers plenty of customization options, but not so many that you might get overwhelmed. Furthermore, there's almost no bloatware in the UI, unlike other skins from different smartphone brands.

First to receive the updates


Another advantage of owning a Pixel is that you get to try the latest Android versions and security patches before any other Android smartphone. The reason is pretty obvious: both Android and the Pixel are taken care of by Google.

So, unlike other smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy series, you won't have to wait months to try upcoming features. Furthermore, you can join the Android beta program to test features before they're released publicly. For instance, you can currently join the Android beta on your Pixel smartphone to enjoy Android 17.

Incredible camera performance



Pixel phones are also known for taking beautiful photos. What I like best about the Pixel camera is that it doesn't overwhelm your screen with hundreds of options. Instead, you'll find only a few important ones, and the device relies on post-processing to deliver really high-quality images.

That basically means that even a newbie who doesn't know how to adjust the focus, change the white balance, or tweak other aspects for taking good photos can rely on the Pixel camera. You simply need to hit the shutter button, and your phone will capture a really stunning photo.

Unique design and reliable performance


While design is definitely not a reason to upgrade a smartphone for most users, I still think Google has nailed it with the design of its latest Pixel series phones. I honestly think that the Pixel 9 and 10 line phones look the best when compared with any Android smartphone on the market.

Lastly, Google phones are known for offering reliable performance. Unfortunately, this has taken a hit after the March update, as plenty of users have reported experiencing really bad performance on their Pixel phones since the March feature drop. But I am pretty confident that this is temporary, and the tech giant will definitely restore its devices' performance with the upcoming update.

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