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Pixel 10 can put up a bigger fight against Galaxy S25 and iPhone 17 after update

The November and December updates have made the Pixel 10 a better phone.

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By Anam Hamid

Updated: Dec 09, 2025, 1:44 AM

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pixel 10 performance improves november december updates

iPhone 17 and Pixel 10 | Image Credit - PhoneArena

Google's November and December updates have measurably improved the Pixel 10's performance and snappiness, according to user reports and benchmark tests from Android Authority.

Though Pixels have been gaining traction, global sales charts are dominated by Apple and Samsung phones. The iPhone 17 and Galaxy S25 tout better raw performance, making them a better deal for many users than Pixel phones

Android 16 QPR2 didn't just bring new features

Pixel 10's CPU performance improved after November and December updates. | Image Credit - Android Authority

Although Google's Pixel phones have never been as fast as their Apple and Samsung counterparts, a lot of hope was tied to the Pixel 10. That's because the phone's Tensor G5 chip was built by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for the first time. It also shifted from ARM’s Mali GPU to the Imagination DXT-48-1536 GPU.

Despite these changes, the phone was still no match for other top phones. Recent updates have boosted the performance.

Since Android 16 QPR2 – the second major quarterly update – dropped, Pixel 10 owners have been noticing markedly increased snappiness, prompting Android Authority to run benchmark tests, which concluded that the performance improved markedly in November and marginally in December. Since more people likely download QPR2 than the November update, they are crediting QPR2 for the enhancements.

The outlet says that since launch, the Pixel 10's single-core CPU performance has increased by around 2 percent, while the multi-core performance has risen by 5 percent. While the improvements are minor, this should still translate to a better average performance.

The PCMark Work 3.0 score, which tests real-world performance, increased by 19.6 percent. There have been a lot of variations in past tests, so it's best not to read too much into this result.

GPU performance has also improved. | Image Credit - Android Authority

The phone also did better on the 3DMark Stress Test, which measures sustained performance to give an idea of how a device will perform under duress. Wild Life performance went up by 5 percent, and the Wild Life Extreme score rose by 7 percent.

Android 16 QPR2 also brings a Generational Concurrent Mark-Compact (CMC) Garbage Collector, upgrading how memory is cleaned up to reduce CPU usage, which makes phones run more efficiently.

So, what does it mean for Pixel 10 users?

Pixel 10 users should – and many already are – be experiencing smoother performance. Gaming improvements should be more pronounced due to bigger GPU gains. Users should expect more fluidity and less stuttering. Apps should open and close faster and animations might look better.

This is purely anecdotal, but I am seeing significantly less stuttering in games since the update. I know some people will say it was fine before, but I found the majority of gameplay laggy and/or stuttery.

jonathan3579, Reddit user, December 2025

While the benchmark scores for the CPU haven't increased a lot, the phone will still feel more responsive in everyday use.

Is your Pixel 10 faster after the recent updates?

Yes, by a lot. Somewhat. No. Not that I can tell.

Is it enough?

When the Pixel 10 came out, some panned it for its gaming performance. Google promised GPU improvements at that time.

Google's Pixel phones have never been known for chart-topping speed. Since they are fine in day-to-day use, benchmarks don't matter to an average Pixel user.

So while the Pixel 10 is still nowhere near as fast as Android devices fueled by Snapdragon and MediaTek chips, the performance uplift delivered by the last two updates is a reminder that phones can get better after launch.

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.

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