Apple iPhone Air vs Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

Our Verdict: The Apple iPhone Air leads where the lighter 165g body versus 221g matter most, while the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL answers with the larger 6.8" screen versus 6.5", the sharper 42MP selfie camera, the larger 5200mAh battery, with the usual caveat that capacity is not the whole battery-life story. The Apple iPhone Air is currently cheaper on the lowest total contract cost at about £620, roughly £55 less than the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. Software preference matters as well, because this is an iOS versus Android choice as much as a hardware comparison. That makes the Apple iPhone Air the value-led pick, unless the larger 6.8" screen versus 6.5" on the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is worth paying extra for.

On price there's almost nothing between them: both work out around £821 over a full contract.

Expert Rating
3.9
12 reviews
4.4
11 reviews
Screen
6.5" 6.8"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO OLED
Resolution
1206 x 2622 1344 x 2992
Pixels Per Inch
444 482
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
18 Megapixels 42 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) Google Tensor G5 (4 nm)
Battery
3,149 mAh 5,200 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Apple iOS Android 15
SIM Type
e- SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
6.0, A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions
156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm
Weight
165 grams 221 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts
£29.99/mo (£79.00 upfront) £10.00/mo (£579.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£589.99 £694.99

Prices updated 25 July 2026

Apple iPhone Air Apple iPhone Air Google Pixel 10 Pro XL Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
Expert Rating 3.9
12 reviews
4.4
11 reviews
Screen 6.5" 6.8"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO OLED
Resolution 1206 x 2622 1344 x 2992
Pixels Per Inch 444 482
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 18 Megapixels 42 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) Google Tensor G5 (4 nm)
Battery 3,149 mAh 5,200 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Apple iOS Android 15
SIM Type e- SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm
Weight 165 grams 221 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
Contracts £29.99/mo
£79.00 upfront
£10.00/mo
£579.00 upfront
SIM-free £589.99 £694.99
Prices updated 25 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone Air
Apple iPhone Air

24 Months

256GB

Sky Blue

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£29.99 per month, £79 upfront.

Use code: IDM10OFF (£10)

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL

24 Months

256GB

Moonstone

100GB

Data

£10 per month, £579 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 10 Pro XL cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone Air is cheaper on contract at £821.16 over the life of the deal from £29.99 per month with £79.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 10 Pro XL?

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL has the bigger screen at 6.8" compared to the Apple iPhone Air's 6.5", the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL has the sharper display at 482 pixels per inch versus 444, and the Apple iPhone Air uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL has a LTPO OLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 10 Pro XL?

The Apple iPhone Air features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 10 Pro XL?

The Apple iPhone Air is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £589.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone Air and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL?

The Apple iPhone Air is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone Air and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL use?

The Apple iPhone Air is powered by the Apple A19 Pro (3 nm), while the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL uses the Google Tensor G5 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 10 Pro XL?

The Apple iPhone Air is the more portable of the two: it's 56g lighter at 165 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm, and is slimmer at 5.6mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone Air or Google Pixel 10 Pro XL?

The Apple iPhone Air is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone Air and Google Pixel 10 Pro XL run?

The Apple iPhone Air runs Apple iOS and the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL runs Android 15. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.