Google Pixel 10 Pro XL for Underwater Photography: Full 2025 Test

--- ## A smartphone that raises a fundamental question.

A few years ago, the question was simple: could a smartphone truly replace a waterproof compact camera for underwater photography? Today, that question hardly exists. The best smartphone models have surpassed dedicated compact cameras in nearly every aspect. The real question has now become: which one, and for what type of water conditions?

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL was launched in August 2025 with a feature that sparked discussion among photographers far beyond the diving world. For the first time on a smartphone, Google integrated DCG (Dual Conversion Gain) natively, accessible via MotionCam Pro. We explain below what this concretely changes underwater, criterion by criterion.

This test follows the AquaExposure scoring system: 7 criteria weighted specifically for underwater photography in natural light. No flash, no artificial lighting, just the sensor, the optics, and the available light management in the water.

Overall score: 3.8/5

This device is for: divers who want high-quality RAW video recording without having to leave the smartphone ecosystem.

This device is not suitable for: water colder than 15°C (risk of condensation inside the casing) or small, easily startled subjects that require focusing at distances less than 5cm.

The main sensor is 1/1.31 inch and has 50 megapixels with an f/1.7 aperture. It's not a large format chip, but it's in the upper range of 2025 smartphones. In practice, underwater, f/1.7 handles light reasonably well within the 5 to 10 meter depth range, where colors start to disappear.

The 5x periscope telephoto lens has an aperture of f/2.8, with a documented minimum focus distance of 30cm. This is a clear improvement over the Pixel 9 Pro XL (which stopped at 73cm), although it's still not close enough for true macro photography. For subjects under 10cm, the 48MP ultrawide lens with an aperture of f/1.7 takes over.

Technical details - Full optics specs

Main sensor: 50MP, f/1.7, 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS Telephoto: 48MP, f/2.8, 5x periscope, 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF, OIS, min. focus distance 30cm Ultrawide: 48MP, f/1.7, 123°, 1/2.55", dual pixel PDAF Stabilization: OIS on main and telephoto, EIS on ultrawide, Tensor G5 motion deblur Not yet measured: shutter latency, RAW buffer depth, flare behavior in direct sunlight

The B1 score is 3.4/5, primarily because of the sensor size (1/1.31" compared to 1 inch on the best compact cameras) and burst/buffer data, which were not independently documented at the time of publication.

This is the device's strong suit. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is the first smartphone to natively integrate DCG (Dual Conversion Gain), accessible via MotionCam Pro. In both still images and video, you get 12-bit DNG files with a level of detail that other 2025 smartphones simply do not yet offer.

What that means underwater: light is scarce and unevenly distributed. Bright highlights (surface reflections, white sand) coexist with deep shadows in the same frame. A 12-bit file recovers far more detail in both areas than 8-bit or even standard 10-bit footage.

Technical details - RAW and color science

Native RAW: 12-bit DNG in the Pixel Camera app (RAW+JPEG) and MotionCam Pro.

DCG: Dual Conversion Gain, simultaneous high and low gain readout before digitization. Result: RAW latitude close to APS-C professional sensors, no noisy shadows, no blown highlights.

Max video codec: 12-bit RAW DNG via MotionCam Pro, native 10-bit HDR (H.265), 4K@60fps.

Manual Kelvin white balance: yes, via MotionCam Pro (essential for correcting the cyan-green cast underwater).

Color science: proprietary Google Tensor G5 ISP, no Zeiss/Leica/Hasselblad partnership. Color profiles remain within the Google ecosystem.

App compatibility: Android 16 with GMS - Blackmagic Camera (iOS only) unavailable, MotionCam Pro (Google Play) available and stable.

To understand what RAW truly offers in post-production compared to JPEG, our before and after underwater photo editing examples provides a step-by-step look at the workflow.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL comes in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB (UFS 4.0) configurations. There is no microSD slot, meaning storage capacity is a decision made at the time of purchase. In practice: one 45-minute dive in 4K 10-bit occupies roughly 8 to 12GB. Three dives in 4K RAW using MotionCam Pro can exceed 30GB.

The 256GB model works for short trips if you offload the data each evening. The 512GB model provides 4 to 5 days of storage without needing a computer. The 1TB model is suitable for liveaboard trips or for users who shoot serious RAW video.

Technical details - Transfer

Connector: USB-C 3.2 (theoretical 10 Gbps, real-world 500-800 MB/s read speed)

OTG: supported, an external SSD can be connected via USB-C between devices.

Estimated field transfer: 30GB transferred in under 5 minutes with a USB 3.2 SSD.

No microSD card slot: plan your storage before the trip.

For a comprehensive overview of the workflow between dives, our smartphone vs GoPro vs waterproof compact comparison covers file management across various setups.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL features an aluminum body with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and incorporates a vapor chamber. This provides good thermal management for surface usage, including extended video recording sessions.

Underwater, the situation changes. Aluminum is an excellent thermal conductor, which means the device's body cools rapidly when in contact with cold water. In a sealed housing, that temperature difference creates a risk of condensation on the inner lens port, between the cold water surrounding the housing and the humid air trapped inside.

In warm tropical waters (above 25°C), this risk is low and can be managed with standard silica gel packets. In cold waters (below 15°C), such as those found in the Mediterranean Sea in autumn or the North Atlantic, the risk becomes a reality.

Technical details - Thermal and condensation

Material: aluminum + vapor chamber (high thermal conductivity)

Warm water score (>25°C): 2.5/5 - condensation possible, manageable Cold water score (<15°C): 1/5 - elevated risk, active anti-fog required

Certification: IP68 (1.5m, 30 min), GGV2, no MIL-STD-810

Good news: the vapor chamber prevents prolonged thermal throttling during long 4K recordings.

Our guide on waterproof housings for underwater photography covers the anti-fog setup before your first dive with a smartphone housing.

5200 mAh battery paired with the 3nm Tensor G5 processor. One of the best combinations available in 2025 on Android. GSMArena lab tests show 12 hours and 29 minutes of active use. In real-world usage, 3 dives of 45 minutes each in 4K video, plus file management and settings adjustments, provides a full day of use without any anxiety.

The EU label officially guarantees 1000 cycles before a 20% reduction in capacity. This is the most reassuring performance indicator for batteries intended for intensive, multi-season use.

Technical details - Battery

Chemistry: Li-Ion (no silicon-carbon, which is starting to appear on competing flagship devices in 2025) Cold water note: Li-Ion loses 15-25% efficiency below 10°C. Store the device warm between dives. Charging: 45W wired (70% in 30 min), 25W Qi2 wireless, bypass charging available

Before each diving session, remember to check your external battery. Use our portable battery comparator tool to choose the right power bank for your dive equipment and desired battery life.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL combines several autofocus systems. The primary system is dual-pixel phase detection autofocus (PDAF) across all three lenses, coupled with the Tensor G5 AI for motion prediction and subject recognition.

There is also a multi-zone Laser AF. In clear water, it helps quickly lock onto a moving subject. In turbid water (suspended particles, coastal surge), the laser can lock onto particles rather than the intended subject. In those conditions, switching to manual focus via MotionCam Pro is the right call.

Focus peaking is available through MotionCam Pro, allowing you to confirm sharpness on stationary subjects (corals, sponges, resting nudibranchs) before triggering the shot.

Technical details - Underwater AF

Multi-directional dual pixel PDAF on all 3 lenses Tensor G5 AI: subject tracking, motion prediction Multi-zone Laser AF: useful in clear water, counterproductive in turbid water No LiDAR (iPhone Pro only) - LiDAR physically measures distance and resists suspended particles better Manual focus + Focus Peaking: available via MotionCam Pro Manual focus in native Pixel Camera: available, without Focus Peaking

For a basic explanation of why autofocus is more complex underwater than on land, our beginner's guide to underwater photography equipment covers the fundamentals of focusing in real-world conditions.

The Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max (and Platinum version) is the announced compatible housing for the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Rated to 60 meters and providing full touchscreen access via the SeaTouch gel technology, it allows you to navigate MotionCam Pro, switch between lenses, and adjust settings without surfacing.

It's a flexible housing rather than a rigid one, which explains the 3.0/5 score for this criterion. Flexible housings absorb surface imperfections better, but they offer less precision than rigid membrane buttons for multi-step controls.

Technical details - Available housings

Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max: flexible, rated to 60m, full touch gel, MotionCam Pro accessible.

Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum: version with port for optional red/orange filter or macro wet lens.

No dedicated rigid housing for the Pixel 10 Pro XL at the time of publication (August 2025).

Compatible Divevolk accessories: wet lenses, handles, trays, clip mounts.

Our article on the iPhone + Divevolk experience in underwater photo and video provides a concrete picture of the SeaTouch workflow in the field, even though it focuses on iOS.

Field workflow for a 3-dive day:

A 45-minute dive recorded in 4K 10-bit occupies 8 to 12GB. Three dives require 25 to 35GB. The 256GB model works for a short trip if you offload the footage every evening. 512GB provides 4 to 5 days of storage without needing a computer. 1TB is suitable for long liveaboards or users who shoot in RAW video format.

Condensation: Plan ahead for your destination:

Warm water (Maldives, Red Sea, Indonesia): low risk with silica gel packets in the housing. Temperate water (Mediterranean during season, Azores, Canaries): use an active anti-fog sachet. Cold water (below 15°C): proceed with caution and test in a heated pool before any open-water dive with the setup.

Key things to look out for with the Pixel 10 Pro XL:

The 8K video mentioned in the specifications is achieved through cloud-based upscaling, not with a native 8K sensor. Without a network connection in the field, the actual native maximum resolution is 4K at 60fps, which is more than sufficient.

MotionCam Pro is available on Android (Google Play) but not on iOS. This gives the Pixel a distinct advantage over the iPhone for this particular use case.

The Pixel 10 Pro XL scores 3.8/5 on our scale, and this score is earned based on criteria that are actually important for serious underwater photography. The 12-bit DCG represents a significant advancement. The f/1.7 main sensor, combined with MotionCam Pro, provides access to RAW video that would cost several thousand euros with a dedicated cinema system.

What prevents it from being the perfect phone for all underwater environments is the thermal profile. Aluminum and a vapor chamber are good for surface heat management, but they increase the risk of condensation in cold water. If you mainly dive in the Mediterranean Sea from April to October or in tropical areas, this is not a major issue. However, if you regularly dive in the North Atlantic or in cold water, you will need to be disciplined about air management inside the housing.

For a diver looking for a single device that can provide high-quality underwater photography, usable RAW video, and natural ambient light rendition, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is, in 2025, one of the two or three most relevant choices, alongside the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Compared to the standard Google Pixel 10 Pro, the XL primarily offers a larger battery (5200 vs 4700 mAh) and a larger screen (6.8" vs 6.3"), which is beneficial for viewing underwater inside a housing. If battery life and screen legibility are important in your use case, the XL is worth the price difference.

Are you hesitant? Use our underwater photography equipment comparison tool to compare this camera with other tested models.

To learn more about condensation and overheating, read our dedicated article: Overheating and condensation on a smartphone in an underwater housing.

Having the right tool is one thing. Knowing what to do with it underwater is another. The AquaExposure Training starts from scratch and covers every aspect of natural light shooting: subject approach, reading available light, manual exposure, stabilization, post-production workflow. Available for immediate access, at your own pace.