A week with the Google Pixel 11 changed my mind about Gemini (for the better)

execs and cons

Professionals

• Brighter show is a welcome improve.
• Related digicam setup and options because the $1,899 Professional Fold.
• Qi2 25W wi-fi charging is simple to understand.

Cons

• Pricier baseline at 256GB.
• Probably an excessive amount of AI for some individuals.

extra shopping for decisions

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Confession: I’ve spent the previous two weeks speed-dating. Not individuals, however telephones. Some had been overly luxurious, providing flashy options and daring guarantees that had been just too lavish for my way of life. Others had been quietly compelling.

The brand new Pixel 11 is a little bit of each camps. It is just like the basic film trope: the quiet nerd who takes off their glasses, places on a swipe of hibiscus-pink lipstick, and instantly has everybody’s full consideration.

Additionally: Pixel 11 XL Professional: Google’s massive flagship is extra Professional than ever, however the digicam is not any massive factor

That is what it felt like once I first unboxed the handset, with its magenta hues benefiting from golden hour by my front room window. I’ve seen this story play out for years now, as Google usually treats its base mannequin Pixel with the “enjoyable” colours, however to my shock once more, the Pixel 11 shortly grew to become my favourite of the 4 that launched this summer time.

A slimmed-down affair

Moreover the flowery new Hibiscus coloration, there truly is not a lot that is new to the bottom Pixel’s {hardware} this yr. You are still getting a 6.3-inch AMOLED show, a virtually symmetrical design (from the bezels to the bottom-firing speaker), and a mix of polished glass and matte-treated facet rails.

Let me geek out for a second: I am an enormous fan of the fabric selection for the Pixel 11 as a result of the shiny again glass has the unintentional impact of changing into grippier as your fingers construct up sweat (naturally) all through the day. So, not like the Professional fashions, which have a matte end on the again, the Pixel 11 is much less slippery to make use of one-handed — to the purpose that I really feel snug utilizing it with out a case.

Additionally: Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 9: Why I am contemplating the improve this yr

Google has additionally slimmed down the digicam bar to almost half the dimensions of final yr’s, making it really feel even sleeker. So, should you do determine to slap on a case, the digicam bar ought to now match beneath the protecting layer, relatively than doubtlessly being uncovered nonetheless to drops and scratches. It is fairly a powerful feat, contemplating the corporate upgraded the principle sensor to enhance light-gathering. Extra on that later.

Not fairly Professional, and that is okay

Choosing the non-Professional Pixel means settling for some limitations. That holds true this yr, even with Google bumping up the beginning worth to $899 (from $799) for the 256GB storage configuration.

Listed below are some key differentiators that try to be conscious of:

• The show maxes out at 3,000 nits of brightness (in comparison with 3,600 nits) and solely helps 60Hz and 120Hz refresh charges (as an alternative of all the way down to 1Hz).
• All three cameras are inferior to their Professional counterparts, from the principle sensor (48MP vs. 50MP) to the telephoto (10.8MP vs. 48MP).
• Reminiscence and storage cap out at 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. That is in comparison with the Professional fashions, which may area 16GB of RAM and as much as 1TB of storage.
• Wired charging is proscribed to 30W, whereas the Professional fashions help a quicker 45W score.

AI really shines with the bottom mannequin

Based mostly on my week with the Pixel 11 — and my much more intensive expertise with the Professional fashions — most individuals will likely be completely advantageous with the aforementioned caveats. In actual fact, there’s one thing about Google’s numerous Gemini/AI enhancements throughout its units that shines notably brightly on a extra minimal telephone just like the Pixel 11. 

In spite of everything, the corporate appears motivated to introduce AI options that improve the consumer expertise, relatively than exchange it.

For instance, dictating my textual content messages with the brand new Rambler function was simply as easy and dependable on the Pixel 11 because it was on the Pixel 11 Professional XL. I’ve discovered myself responding to textual content messages extra proactively when driving now as a result of it is develop into that a lot simpler to speak freely, narrate any changes, and ship messages with out worrying about my telephone misinterpreting something.

The identical applies to the brand new Magic Seize function, which intelligently captures stills as you report a video. It is virtually a photographer assistant; they’re going to take manner too many photographs in concern of lacking “the shot,” however they’re going to get you greater than sufficient good ones to make up for it.

Additionally: Google needs you to make use of its telephones much less – however I am skeptical

With the brand new fundamental sensor, I’ve truly been fairly happy with how shortly the telephone captures and processes pictures, particularly in dimmer environments. The output continues to be not as vibrant and saturated as what you’d get from a Samsung telephone, although, so it finally depends upon your choice for the way real looking and very best photographs come out.

Lastly, it helps that the Pixel 11 runs on the identical Tensor G6 processor and Android 17 software program because the Professional fashions, placing it on close to equal footing on the subject of day-to-day efficiency. I’ve solely seen a distinction in energy administration on the subject of gaming, with the Pixel 11 not supporting sure graphics-intensive settings in titles like “Genshin Impression”. It is made me curious to see precisely how the 12GB of RAM will maintain up over time.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

That is to say, of all of the telephones Google launched this yr, the brand new Pixel 11 is likely to be the largest sufferer of the world reminiscence chip scarcity. 

It was a lot simpler to justify shopping for the baseline Pixel; it was a value-driven flagship with options that just about matched its Professional siblings. In 2026, I am discovering it more durable to again the now $899 handset, particularly when its largest new improve would possibly simply be a bigger digicam sensor that takes barely higher photographs. (You can even make the argument for an improved suite of Gemini options, however these could finally trickle all the way down to older Pixel fashions.)

Additionally: I ditched T-Cellular for Mint and located 3 main drawbacks of smaller carriers – and their workarounds

Comparatively, Professional clients, whether or not they favor the usual and XL sizes or the foldable, could already be accustomed to the $1,000+ worth vary and enter their shopping for cycles anticipating to pay a premium.

However should you discover simply the fitting trade-in provide, sign-in promotion, or vacation deal, the Pixel 11 is your most secure choice of the 4. And, if historical past repeats itself, you might even rating a brand new Pixel for lots of of {dollars} much less should you wait till Black Friday.