Google Pixel 11
pros and cons
- Brighter display is a welcome upgrade.
- Similar camera setup and features as the $1,899 Pro Fold.
- Qi2 25W wireless charging is easy to appreciate.
- Pricier baseline at 256GB.
- HiLight is more of a low-light (for now).
- Possibly too much AI for some people.
more buying choices
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source is a bit of both camps. It’s like the classic movie trope: the quiet nerd who takes off their glasses, puts on a swipe of hibiscus-pink lipstick, and suddenly has everyone’s full attention.
Also: Pixel 11 XL Pro: Google’s big flagship is more Pro than ever, but the camera is no big thing
That’s what it felt like when I first unboxed the handset, with its magenta hues making the most of golden hour by my living room window. I’ve seen this story play out for years now, as Google often treats its base model Pixel with the “fun” colors, but to my surprise again, the Pixel 11 quickly became my favorite of the four that launched this summer.
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A slimmed-down affair
Besides the fancy new Hibiscus color, there actually isn’t much that’s new to the base Pixel’s hardware this year. You’re still getting a 6.3-inch AMOLED display, a nearly symmetrical design (from the bezels to the bottom-firing speaker), and a blend of polished glass and matte-treated side rails.
Let me geek out for a moment: I’m a big fan of the material choice for the Pixel 11 because the glossy back glass has the unintentional effect of becoming grippier as your fingers build up sweat (naturally) throughout the day. So, unlike the Pro models, which have a matte finish on the back, the Pixel 11 is less slippery to use one-handed — to the point that I feel comfortable using it without a case.
Also: Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 9: Why I’m considering the upgrade this year
Google has also slimmed down the camera bar to nearly half the size of last year’s, making it feel even sleeker. So, if you do decide to slap on a case, the camera bar should now fit beneath the protective layer, rather than potentially being exposed still to drops and scratches. It’s quite an impressive feat, considering the company upgraded the main sensor to improve light-gathering. More on that later.
For example, dictating my text messages with the new Rambler feature was just as smooth and reliable on the Pixel 11 as it was on the Pixel 11 Pro XL. I’ve found myself responding to text messages more proactively when driving now because it’s become that much easier to talk freely, narrate any adjustments, and send messages without worrying about my phone misinterpreting anything.
It used to be much easier to justify buying the baseline Pixel; it was a value-driven flagship with features that nearly matched its Pro siblings. In 2026, I’m finding it harder to back the now $899 handset, especially when its biggest new upgrade might just be a larger camera sensor that takes slightly better photos. (You can also make the argument for an improved suite of Gemini features, but those may eventually trickle down to older Pixel models.)
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Comparatively, Pro customers, whether they favor the standard and XL sizes or the foldable, may already be accustomed to the $1,000+ price range and enter their buying cycles expecting to pay a premium.
But if you find just the right trade-in offer, sign-in promotion, or holiday deal, the Pixel 11 is your safest option of the four. And, if history repeats itself, you may even score a new Pixel for hundreds of dollars less if you wait until Black Friday.