Bought a Pixel 10 Pro and Need Advice?

Welcome to the definitive guide for new Pixel 10 Pro owners seeking to maximize their experience with Google’s flagship device. Whether you’re transitioning from Samsung or another Android brand, this comprehensive article will walk you through essential settings, hidden features, camera optimizations, and productivity tools that will transform your Pixel 10 Pro into a powerhouse of efficiency and creativity.

Unboxing and Initial Setup

When your Pixel 10 Pro arrives, the initial setup process deserves careful attention. During the first boot sequence, you’ll be prompted to connect to Wi-Fi and sign in with your Google account. We recommend using a strong, unique password for your Google account if you haven’t already done so.

The Pixel 10 Pro introduces an enhanced setup wizard that learns from your preferences. During this process, you’ll encounter options for restoring from a previous device. Since you’re coming from an S23 Ultra, Google’s Quick Switch Adapter makes this transition remarkably smooth. Connect your old Samsung device using the provided USB-C cable, and the Pixel will automatically transfer contacts, messages, photos, and app data.

One crucial setting during initial setup is the Privacy and Security configuration. We strongly advise enabling Google Play Protect for real-time threat scanning, and activating Find My Device for remote location tracking. The Pixel 10 Pro also introduces Face Unlock and Under-display Fingerprint options—consider setting up both for maximum convenience and security.

Essential Settings and Preferences

After completing the initial setup, dive into the Settings app to customize your Pixel experience. The Pixel 10 Pro runs Android 14 with Pixel UI, offering numerous customization options that differ from Samsung’s One UI.

Display and Visual Experience

Navigate to Display settings and adjust the Smooth Display option to 120Hz for optimal performance. The Pixel 10 Pro’s Actua display technology provides exceptional color accuracy and brightness. Enable Adaptive Brightness for automatic adjustments based on ambient light conditions.

For those who prefer a more natural color profile, select Natural under Color Profile rather than Boosted. This setting provides more accurate color reproduction, especially important for photography enthusiasts.

The Dark Theme option not only reduces eye strain but also extends battery life. Set this to Sunset to Sunrise for automatic activation during evening hours.

Battery Optimization

The Pixel 10 Pro features a 5,050mAh battery with 30W wired and 23W wireless charging capabilities. In Battery settings, enable Adaptive Battery to learn your usage patterns and optimize power consumption. The Extreme Battery Saver mode can extend battery life significantly when needed, though it limits app functionality to essential services only.

Consider enabling Battery Share if you want to use your Pixel as a wireless charging pad for other devices. This feature is particularly useful when you need to charge accessories on the go.

Sound and Haptics

The Pixel 10 Pro’s stereo speakers deliver impressive audio quality. In Sound settings, enable Adaptive Sound for automatic audio optimization based on your environment. The Haptic Feedback intensity can be adjusted to your preference—we recommend setting it to Medium for a balanced tactile response.

For call quality, enable Clear Calling to reduce background noise during phone conversations. The Now Playing feature, which identifies music playing in your environment, can be toggled on in Sound & Vibration settings.

Camera Settings and Photography Features

The Pixel 10 Pro’s camera system represents Google’s most advanced photography technology to date. With a 50MP main sensor, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, this device rivals professional cameras in many scenarios.

Camera Interface and Controls

Open the Camera app and familiarize yourself with the interface. The Quick Tap feature allows you to double-tap the back of the phone to launch the camera instantly. This gesture can be customized in System settings under Gestures.

For manual control enthusiasts, the Pro Controls mode offers RAW capture, manual focus, and adjustable ISO settings. Access this by tapping the More option in the camera interface and selecting Pro Controls.

Essential Camera Features

The Magic Eraser tool deserves immediate attention. This AI-powered feature can remove unwanted objects from photos with remarkable precision. Simply open a photo in the Google Photos app, tap Edit, then select the Magic Eraser icon.

Best Take is another revolutionary feature that analyzes multiple photos and creates the perfect composite image. This is particularly useful for group photos where everyone needs to look their best.

For portrait photography, the Real Tone technology ensures accurate skin tone representation across all ethnicities. The Portrait Light feature allows post-capture lighting adjustments, giving you professional-level control over your portraits.

Video Recording Capabilities

The Pixel 10 Pro supports 4K video recording at 60fps with Cinematic Pan for smooth, professional-looking footage. Enable Video Boost in settings for enhanced color grading and stabilization, though this requires uploading to Google’s cloud for processing.

The Audio Magic Eraser in video mode can separate and adjust different sound sources, perfect for capturing clear audio in noisy environments.

Productivity Tools and Features

Transitioning from Samsung to Pixel involves discovering new productivity workflows. The Pixel 10 Pro offers several unique features that can enhance your daily productivity.

Google Assistant Integration

The Pixel 10 Pro features the most advanced Google Assistant implementation. Long-press the power button to activate Assistant with full contextual awareness. The Quick Phrases feature allows you to interact with Assistant without saying “Hey Google,” making voice commands more natural and efficient.

Create routines in the Assistant settings to automate multiple actions with a single command. For example, saying “Good morning” could turn on lights, read your schedule, and start your favorite morning playlist.

Multitasking and Split Screen

While Samsung devices offer extensive multitasking features, the Pixel 10 Pro provides elegant alternatives. App Pairs allow you to create shortcuts that open two apps simultaneously in split-screen mode. Configure these in the Recents screen by dragging one app over another.

The Floating Windows feature enables picture-in-picture functionality for any app, not just video players. This is particularly useful for monitoring communications while working on other tasks.

Productivity Apps

The Pixel 10 Pro comes with Google Workspace integration out of the box. The Tasks app syncs seamlessly with Google Calendar, while Keep Notes provides cross-platform note-taking capabilities.

For document scanning, the Camera app includes a Document mode that automatically detects and enhances text documents. This feature rivals dedicated scanning apps in terms of quality and convenience.

Image Editing and Object Manipulation

You specifically asked about object cutout capabilities similar to Samsung’s S23 Ultra. The Pixel 10 Pro offers several sophisticated alternatives for image manipulation.

Pixel Cutout Technology

The Pixel 10 Pro introduces Magic Editor, a revolutionary tool that combines several editing capabilities into one seamless interface. To access this feature, open a photo in Google Photos, tap Edit, then select Magic Editor.

Within Magic Editor, you’ll find the Object Cutout tool that allows you to isolate subjects from their backgrounds with remarkable accuracy. Simply circle the object you want to extract, and the AI will create a precise selection. This cutout can then be repositioned, resized, or copied to other images.

Creating Stickers and Overlays

While the Pixel doesn’t have Samsung’s exact sticker creation workflow, it offers more versatile alternatives. After creating a cutout using Magic Editor, you can save it as a PNG with a transparent background by exporting the edited image.

The Markup tool in Google Photos allows you to add these cutouts as overlays to other images. Simply open the target image, tap Edit, then select Markup to access drawing tools and the ability to import images as layers.

Third-Party Integration

For more advanced image manipulation, the Pixel 10 Pro integrates seamlessly with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop Express. These apps can import your cutouts directly and offer professional-grade editing capabilities.

The Google Photos app also includes Collaborative Albums where you can share your edited images with others for feedback or further editing.

Customization and Personalization

The Pixel 10 Pro offers extensive customization options that allow you to tailor the device to your specific needs and preferences.

Home Screen Customization

Unlike Samsung’s extensive theming system, Pixel devices focus on Material You design principles. The At A Glance widget provides dynamic information based on your schedule and location. Customize this by long-pressing the widget and selecting Settings.

The App Drawer can be organized alphabetically or by usage frequency. Enable Search in App Drawer for quick app discovery, especially useful when you have numerous applications installed.

Pixel devices excel in gesture navigation. Enable Gesture Navigation in System settings for a more immersive experience. The Back Tap feature allows you to double or triple-tap the back of the phone to perform various actions like taking screenshots or launching apps.

The Active Edge feature lets you squeeze the sides of the phone to activate Google Assistant. Adjust the squeeze sensitivity in System settings to prevent accidental activations.

Always-On Display

The Atmos Display on the Pixel 10 Pro offers an enhanced Always-On Display experience. Customize this in Display settings to show notifications, calendar events, or personal photos. The Now Playing history can also be displayed here, showing songs the phone has identified throughout the day.

Security and Privacy Features

Google has significantly enhanced security features on the Pixel 10 Pro, making it one of the most secure Android devices available.

Titan M2 Security Chip

The Titan M2 security chip provides hardware-level protection for sensitive data. This includes secure boot verification, encryption key storage, and protection against sophisticated attacks. Ensure this feature is enabled in Security settings.

Privacy Dashboard

The Privacy Dashboard provides a comprehensive view of which apps have accessed your location, camera, and microphone. Review this regularly to identify any suspicious activity. Set auto-reset permissions for apps you don’t use frequently to enhance privacy.

VPN by Google One

The Pixel 10 Pro includes VPN by Google One at no additional cost. Enable this in Network & Internet settings to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your privacy on public Wi-Fi networks.

Connectivity and Smart Features

The Pixel 10 Pro offers several connectivity features that enhance its utility as a central hub for your digital life.

5G and Wi-Fi 7

Take advantage of the device’s 5G capabilities by ensuring you have a compatible plan with your carrier. The Pixel 10 Pro also supports Wi-Fi 7, providing faster speeds and lower latency when connected to compatible routers.

Fast Pair allows instant connection with Bluetooth accessories, while Nearby Share enables quick file transfers between Android devices. Both features work seamlessly out of the box and can be customized in Connected devices settings.

Smart Home Integration

The Pixel 10 Pro serves as an excellent smart home controller. The Google Home app comes pre-installed and offers intuitive control over compatible smart devices. Set up Matter compatibility to ensure broad device support.

Troubleshooting and Optimization

Even the best devices occasionally encounter issues. Here are solutions to common problems Pixel 10 Pro users might face.

Performance Optimization

If you experience lag or stuttering, check the System settings for Performance options. The Pixel 10 Pro includes Adaptive Performance that balances power and efficiency based on your usage patterns.

For storage management, use the Smart Storage feature that automatically removes backed-up photos and videos when storage runs low. This can be enabled in Storage settings.

Battery Life Issues

If battery life seems shorter than expected, review the Battery Usage section in Settings to identify power-hungry apps. Consider restricting background activity for apps that don’t need constant updates.

The Extreme Battery Saver mode can be configured to allow specific apps even when activated, ensuring you maintain access to essential services during emergencies.

Camera Performance

For optimal camera performance, ensure the lens is clean and free from fingerprints. The Pixel 10 Pro’s camera app includes a lens cleaner reminder that appears when smudges are detected.

If photos appear blurry, check that Motion Mode is configured appropriately for your shooting conditions. This feature requires adequate lighting to function optimally.

Conclusion

The Pixel 10 Pro represents Google’s vision for the future of Android devices, combining cutting-edge hardware with sophisticated software integration. As a former Samsung user, you’ll appreciate the clean, intuitive interface while discovering unique features that set Pixel devices apart.

We recommend spending time exploring each feature mentioned in this guide, as the Pixel 10 Pro’s true potential is unlocked through personalization and familiarity. The transition from Samsung to Pixel may require some adjustment, but the Pixel’s focus on AI-driven features, photography excellence, and seamless Google ecosystem integration makes it a worthy investment.

Remember that the Pixel experience continues to evolve through software updates, so regularly check for system updates in Settings to ensure you’re always running the latest features and security patches. Your Pixel 10 Pro journey is just beginning, and with these tips and tricks, you’re well-equipped to make the most of Google’s flagship device.

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