In my experience, the thing with these huge sensors is that they're SUPER sensitive to vibration, especially during those long-exposure astro sessions. If your tripod is flimsy, the stars will look like blurry streaks, which is lowkey the worst. For a budget-friendly but solid base, I recommend the Ulanzi MT-44 Extendable Vlog Tripod (~$25). It handles the weight way better than cheap ones. For filters and lenses, maybe try the SmallRig Universal Mobile Phone Cage 2791 ($35)—it’s actualy great cuz it has cold shoes for a light like the Ulanzi VL49 RGB Video Light ($20). Honestly, you dont need a fortune to avoid bottlenecks and get those crisp shots. TL;DR: Use the Ulanzi tripod and SmallRig cage for a pro setup under $100. gl!

In my experience, i'm disappointed by cheap gear... literally broke my screen. - Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100: super sturdy - Joby GorillaPod 5K: kinda wobbly Dont risk that heavy Pixel!

Been thinking about your question... Basically, the Pixel 10 Pro XL sensor is massive, which means it captures way more detail but also amplifies every tiny micro-vibration. If your setup isnt rock-solid, those long astro exposures will just look blurry, right? It's all about minimizing movement at that focal length. I suggest comparing these two setups:
- Manfrotto BeFree Advanced Twist Aluminum Travel Tripod: This is a professional-grade base. Pros: High load capacity and zero flex during long exposures. Cons: Kinda heavy for casual hiking.
- Peak Design Mobile Tripod: Best for portability. Pros: Tiny footprint and fits in a pocket. Cons: Cant handle high wind during 4-minute astro sessions. Also, dont bottleneck that sensor with cheap plastic lenses. I recommend the Moment 67mm Filter Mount to use real glass filters. It avoids the chromatic aberration you see with budget gear. TL;DR: Prioritize a heavy-duty tripod and pro-grade glass mounts to actually see what that sensor can do. gl!

yo, just found this thread! Honestly, I went through this exact same thing last month when I got my Pixel 10 Pro XL. I thought I could save some cash since the phone cost so much... but man, I was SO disappointed with my first few attempts at astro. > I really want to push its limits, especially for astrophotography and close-up macro shots. Story time: I initially bought this super cheap plastic tripod from a random brand, thinking 'how heavy can a phone really be??' BIG mistake. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is actually pretty beefy, and with that massive sensor, even a tiny breeze made my long exposures look like a blurry mess. I was lowkey devastated cuz I wasted three nights of clear skies lol. Basically, I learned that budget gear is fine, but it has to be technically solid enough to handle the weight. I ended up returning the junk and grabbed the SmallRig Selection Tabletop Tripod DT-02. It's super affordable but all metal, which really helps with those micro-vibrations everyone is talking about. For the macro stuff, I found that lighting is the biggest bottleneck. I tried a cheap clip-on light and it was total trash—colors looked all washed out. I eventually got the Viltrox Weeylite S03 Pocket LED Light 2500K-8500K which has a surprisingly high CRI of 95+ for the price. It makes such a difference for those close-up shots without blowing out the highlights. I also tried to save money on a filter mount, but honestly, the cheap ones I found on Amazon didnt align right with the lenses. Idk if there's a perfect budget one yet, but for now, the Neewer Metal Phone Tripod Mount with Cold Shoe is the only thing I trust to actually hold the phone steady while I'm messing with settings. Lesson learned: dont trust plastic mounts with a phone this heavy!! gl!