On the surface, Google’s new Pixel 11 range brings mostly iterative updates over the excellent Pixel 10 lineup across the board. Each handset received a new processor, a brighter display, and camera and software improvements. These upgrades are par for the course these days.
The standard Pixel 11 is probably the least exciting of the bunch, with relatively few changes over its predecessor. But after spending a month with it as my daily driver, I’ve come to believe that it’s the model most people should buy.
And while the Pixel 11 has a lot going for it in itself, what really makes it stand out is how little extra value I found in the more expensive Pixel 11 Pro.
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The Pixel 11 builds mostly on last year’s Pixel 10, which was a pretty big step up from the Pixel 9 with a then-new telephoto camera and PixelSnap magnetic charging alongside the usual chipset and software upgrades. In addition to the new Google Tensor G6 chipset, the Pixel 11 has an updated main camera and a 40% slimmer camera bump.
During my testing, I found the Pixel 11’s compact 6.3-inch screen, relatively light 197g chassis and thin camera bump made it an easy phone to live with. It’s a refreshing change from the 6.7- to 6.9-inch phones I’ve been testing all year.
My test unit came in the new Hibiscus color – which some of my colleagues called ‘hot pink’ – and it attracted many compliments such as: “I wish iPhones came in that color!”
Its cameras produce rich, vivid photos, and having a true telephoto lens is a great addition for a phone in this price range. Of course, it doesn’t have the 11 Pro’s more advanced camera controls and features, but the Pixel 11 has more than enough camera technology for most people. This relatively simple camera setup also allowed Google to shrink the Pixel 11’s camera bump, which then disappears when you put on a case.
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(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)
Perhaps the biggest reason I recommend the Pixel 11 is that in day-to-day use I found very little to separate it from the more expensive Pro. Whether multitasking, gaming, running resource-intensive apps or using AI features, I couldn’t discern a meaningful performance difference between the two phones – and I doubt most people would either.
Both phones have the same 30W wireless and 25W Qi2 wireless charging speeds (via PixelSnap), IP68 durability ratings, ultrasonic fingerprint sensors and even the same seven years of Android updates and security patches.
I didn’t really miss features like the new HiLight notification LED, the anti-scratch coating for the front cover glass and Wi-Fi 7 support, and I also preferred the matte metal edges over the shiny Pro.
Why pay more for the Pro?
Starting at $899 / £879 / AU$1,499, the Pixel 11 has a higher entry level than last year’s Pixel 10, which launched at $799 / £799 / AU$1,349. However, the base model now includes 256GB of storage instead of 128GB, which helps soften the blow. The 256GB Pixel 10 launched at $899 / £899 / AU$1,499, so there’s technically no price increase for the same capacity, and UK buyers even got a £20 discount.
The Pixel 11 Pro, meanwhile, starts at $1,099 / £1,079 / AU$1,849, roughly the same price as the 256GB Pixel 10 Pro (the UK had it cheaper at £999). However, there is one notable change: the base Pixel 11 Pro now comes with 12GB of RAM, down from 16GB in last year’s model. That’s the same amount of RAM found in the Pixel 11.
It’s not that 12GB of RAM isn’t enough – my time with both phones suggests it’s more than capable. The problem is that Google removed one of the specs that previously helped justify the Pro’s higher price, without lowering that price to compensate. If the cheaper Pixel 11 delivers the same day-to-day performance, it becomes increasingly difficult to see where the extra $200 / £200 / AU$350 will go.
That’s not to say the Pixel 11 Pro doesn’t have advantages. Its more sophisticated camera system will undoubtedly appeal to photography enthusiasts, while features such as Wi-Fi 7 and HiLight give it some additional tricks. If these features are important to you, the Pro remains a solid choice. But after a month with the standard Pixel 11, I can’t say I wished I’d spent the extra money.
At least the Pro’s 512GB and 1TB variants retain the 16GB of RAM found in last year’s model, which could make them attractive to anyone looking for additional headroom. However, they also cost $1,219 / £1,199 / AU$2,049 and $1,449 / £1,429 / AU$2,399 respectively, so they require more investment.
For most people, however, the cheaper Pixel 11 is the smarter buy. It delivers the same everyday performance and many of the same features as the 256GB Pixel 11 Pro, while saving you $200 / £200 / AU$350. It might be a pretty boring upgrade over the Pixel 10, but that doesn’t stop it from being the most compelling Pixel in Google’s new lineup.
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