Pixel 10 Early Buyers Report Charging Problems, Overheating, and Added Weight

The Pixel 10 series has officially landed, but not all early adopters are celebrating. Google’s latest flagships introduce some notable hardware changes – most prominently the new 3nm Tensor G5 chip built by TSMC and a magnetic ring system designed for Qi2 wireless charging accessories.

Add in a suite of AI-powered features, and on paper the Pixel 10 looks like a solid step forward. In practice, however, first impressions are mixed.

One of the first complaints is the weight. Compared to the Pixel 9 lineup, the Pixel 10 phones are noticeably heavier. The Pixel 10 Pro XL, in particular, feels bulkier and less comfortable for one-handed use. The added magnets and larger battery are likely the culprits. For context, the Pixel 9 Pro XL weighed 221g, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL tips the scales at 232g. That 11g difference doesn’t sound like much, but it’s enough for many users to call the phone ‘brick-like.’

Charging has also been a headache for some owners. Reports mention inconsistent wired charging, compatibility issues with third-party power bricks, and sluggish performance even with Google’s own Pixel Snap Qi charger. A number of users have also flagged overheating during wireless charging sessions, raising concerns about long-term battery health.

Other frustrations include failures with tap-to-pay services, leaving some unable to add their cards for contactless transactions. Meanwhile, Android Auto is outright broken for several buyers. Google has confirmed this bug but insists it only affects specific car models, promising a fix soon.

Not everything is doom and gloom. Many buyers are satisfied with performance boosts and AI features, and early bugs are common with new hardware releases. While software updates are expected to resolve charging quirks and Android Auto failures, the added weight and smaller main camera sensors are design decisions that can’t be patched away. These compromises may not matter to everyone, but they underline the reality of early adoption: sometimes you get cutting-edge innovation, sometimes you get first-wave frustrations.