Google’s Pixel cameras aren’t the best anymore, here’s the proof

https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-vs-xiaomi-best-camera-phone-3645685/

Publish Date: 2026-03-08 08:07:00

Robert Triggs / Android Authority

I love Pixels, and the Pixel 6 Pro marked my conversion to Google’s ecosystem, thanks in no small part to its incredibly powerful triple rear camera. Computational photography has proven its value over the years and remains a core part of Google’s sales pitch for the Pixel 10 series.

However, for a product line lauded for its image capture capabilities, I’m finding it increasingly hard to rank Pixels near the top of the pack. Yes, they’re still unbelievably reliable at basic point-and-shoot, and at the same time, a good eye can obtain breathtaking results from what is quite modest hardware on paper. I’m not denying that Google’s formula is good, but great by modern standards? I’m not as convinced as I once was.

I’ve increasingly left my most recent Pixel on the shelf in favor of physically larger smartphone camera packages or my trusty mirrorless. After spending probably too much time pixel-peeping, I’ve become acutely aware of Google’s processing artifacts and have concluded that I really don’t like blowing these pictures up. While I can overlook the grainy shadows, mottled low-light details, and overly-sharp portraits for a quick social post, that’s not what I really want when spending potentially $1,000 or more on a phone primarily to take pictures with.

By comparison, I’ve had the Xiaomi 17 Ultra in hand recently. After taking it out for a spin alongside my Pixel 10 Pro XL, I might never go back to a Pixel until Google seriously overhauls its hardware.

Do you think Pixels are among the best phones for photography?

28 votes

Yes, they’re the best.

11%

Best for the price, if not best overall.

29%

No, Pixels are slipping.

54%

It’s too close to call.

Not that the two phones aren’t comparable for general-purpose shots. Both offer superb dynamic range, rich and realistic colors, and a fair amount of detail from their main and zoom cameras. If anything, the Pixel is arguably the marginally more consistent option,…

Source