Google Pixel 11 Pro hands-on review

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Introduction

The Pixel 11 Pro is Google's flagship smartphone for 2026. This year has been rough for tech, and we have seen one underwhelming launch after another throughout. Google itself essentially launched the same phone for a second time earlier this year with the Pixel 10a. So what does the company have in store for us with its flagship models?

Surprisingly, it's not all doom and gloom this year. The Pixel 11 series, specifically the Pro models, do include some meaningful improvements. There is a new chipset in the form of the Tensor G6, and we will get into how it performs. The main and telephoto cameras have been upgraded and also work alongside the new chipset to bring out new and improved functionality. The display and build quality have also seen some improvements, and there is faster wireless charging on offer. Finally, you also get some new colors.

Google Pixel 11 Pro specs at a glance:

• Body: 152.7x71.9x8.4mm, 204g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame; IP68 dust-tight and water-resistant (submersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).
• Display: 6.30" LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2400 nits (HBM), 3600 nits (peak), 1280x2856px resolution, 20.08:9 aspect ratio, 497ppi.
• Chipset: Google Tensor G6 (3 nm).
• Memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM; UFS 4.x.
• OS/Software: Android 17, up to 7 major OS updates.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm, 1/1.3", 1.2µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS; Telephoto: 48 MP, f/2.8, 106mm, 1/1.95", dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; Ultra wide angle: 48 MP, f/1.7, 123˚, 1/2.51", dual pixel PDAF.
• Front camera: 42 MP, f/2.2, 103˚ (ultrawide), PDAF.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 8K@24/30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR; Front camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps.
• Battery: 4850mAh; 30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 55% in 30 min, 25W wireless (magnetic), Qi2.2, Reverse wired, Bypass charging.
• Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 6.0, aptX HD; NFC.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, ultrasonic); stereo speakers; Ultra Wideband (UWB) support; Satellite SOS service.

However, as you'd expect, there have been some cutbacks. The base 128GB model now comes with 12GB instead of 16GB of memory, the temperature sensor with the thermometer feature is gone, and the batteries are actually a bit smaller this year. That might not seem that bad until you factor in the $100 price hike across the board.

Still, a new Pixel phone is something to be excited about, and the phone might still be able to justify that price with all the new improvements. So let's see how it stacks up.

Unboxing

If you're new here and were wondering if the packaging looks the way it does because of the current market conditions, then that's not the case. The Pixel packaging has had this impoverished look for some time now, which is one step removed from selling the phone in a paper bag. You get the phone and a data cable, which only supports USB 2.0 speeds. Anything more will need to be purchased separately.