The Google Pixel 11 Pro XL is an outstanding Android smartphone, featuring exceptional cameras, a beautiful design, and tremendous AI features, according to technology critic David Phelan. However, one key software feature is missing for UK users.
Google's latest Pixel phones have landed, with four new models: the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The Pro range is arguably the most exciting, and Phelan has been testing both the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL since launch.
The two phones are almost identical in every way except two: size and price. The larger model has a bigger screen, bigger battery, and is heavier. Despite the bigger battery, Google claims both phones have 30 hours of battery life. Specifications are otherwise the same, from display brightness and scratch-resistant coating to the processor, triple rear cameras, and design.
Design and display
Google's Pixel range boasts an all-screen front with a circular cut-out in the middle for the front-facing camera. The rear is unmistakably Google thanks to the Camera Bar, which stretches across the phone almost from edge to edge. This means that if you're typing on the phone while it's on the table, it won't rock dizzily back and forth like on most phones.
The HiLight is exclusive to the Pro models. This is a ring of LEDs around the flash which light up when the phone is face down, showing a colour-coded notification when a specific contact rings you. This encourages you to be less glued to your phone, particularly knowing you won't miss a call from your significant other. If you use the Gemini AI wake words, “Hey, Google,” the HiLight glows to let you know Gemini is active to answer your question. While a neat visual indicator, it hasn't found its stride yet.
Unlike recent Pro models, Google has now ditched the infrared temperature sensor on the back. The phone's gently curved edges make it comfortable to hold. As with previous versions, you can unlock the phone with your passcode, fingerprint using the in-screen sensor, or your face using the front camera. There are new colours, too – for Phelan, Fog is the standout.
The screen sizes are the same as last year's models, but the OLED screen is brighter now, with up to 3,600 nits peak brightness, making it easy to read on a summer's day. The adaptive refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz continues to impress, making scrolling through menus and lists super-smooth, while the low-end refresh rate saves battery life.
The display has a new, more scratch-resistant coating. Phone displays have been getting better and better at not smashing when dropped, but scratching has still been an issue. For total security, you can put a screen protector on the phone – Phelan's favourites are from British brand Mous (£39, Amazon.co.uk) – but so far the screen has remained blemish-free without one.
Software and cameras
First, something that's missing right now. In the UK, the successor to Magic Cue is absent. This is Proactive Assistance, an improvement to the already-good Magic Cue system that provides context-aware suggestions before you ask for them. When it arrives, it will add a user interface which makes it easier to interact with and more advanced features. For now, though it's available in the US, India, Canada and Australia, the UK will have to wait and make do with Magic Cue.
There are other software changes, though, such as an excellent upgrade to the Google keyboard, Gboard. Gboard Rambler can take out the annoying ums and ahs you hadn't realised you'd said. It'll even understand when you say, “No, forget that, I mean” and go with what you're trying to say rather than your literal ramblings.
Even better is the improvement to Live Translate, which can now translate, in real time, the audio from videos and podcasts. Google's Circle to Search has also been enhanced so that you can draw on the display when the camera app is open, to identify the plant you're looking at, say, without the need to take a photo.
The Pixel 11 Pro doesn't radically change its camera hardware, but that's hardly a criticism given how strong Pixel photography already is. The 50MP main camera and 48MP ultrawide and periscope telephoto cameras remain, although larger sensors improve light capture. Most notably, the 5x telephoto now uses a 1/2in sensor, capturing 30 per cent more light than last year's Pixel 10 Pro, and supports up to 120x zoom.
The larger main sensor also delivers impressive results, with even more detail than the already excellent Pixel 10 Pro. Low-light photography gets a major boost from Instant Night Sight, which produces usable images in a second or less. Camera Looks adds more sophisticated photographic styles, though Phelan generally preferred the standard look.
The biggest software addition is Magic Capture, which takes a burst of photos and video when you press the shutter, then selects the best moments. It works particularly well with fast-moving subjects such as children, pets and sport.
Performance and battery life
Google's Tensor G6 chip is designed with AI in mind and delivers fast, responsive everyday performance. Video playback is smooth and effective, and gaming is generally slick, although some reports suggest demanding games can still push the processor. For everyday use, apps open quickly, and navigation feels consistently snappy.
Though cells in both the Pro and Pro XL are marginally smaller than in last year's models, battery life is good. A full day's use was easy, often with significant levels of charge left. The truth is that overnight charges are still necessary, as there's never enough juice for much more than one day.
Charging is fast, wired and wireless, with both methods faster than before. The new Pixels have the circular ring of magnets, which means you can snap the phone to a compatible wireless charging pad.
Processor: Google Tensor G6. Display: Pro 6.3in OLED, 120Hz, 1,280 x 2,586 pixels, 497ppi; Pro XL 6.8in OLED, 120Hz, 1,344 x 2,992 pixels, 482ppi. Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB. Size: Pro 152.7 x 71.9 x 8.4 mm, Pro XL 162.7 x 76.5 x 8.5 mm. Weight: Pro 204g; Pro XL 226g. Rear cameras: 50MP main, 48MP telephoto, 48MP ultra wide. Selfie camera: 42MP. Colours: Canyon, Olive, Fog, Obsidian.
Is the Google Pixel 11 Pro worth it?
The Pixel series, including the Pixel 11 Pro, continues to look and feel like one of the best phones around. Google has the basics sorted, from a beautiful (and now brighter) display that is smooth when you're scrolling through menus or watching video. The already-outstanding cameras are improved with Magic Capture and better low-light capabilities, putting it in the top flight for cameraphones.
The new AI features are tremendous, even if the UK is currently missing one of them. All this adds up to a powerful, fast, deeply attractive smartphone that does everything well and some things, like effortless photography, better than most rivals.
