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

professionals and cons

Professionals

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

Cons

• Pricier baseline at 256GB.
• Presumably an excessive amount of AI for some folks.

extra shopping for decisions

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

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

Additionally: Pixel 11 XL Pro: Google’s big flagship is more Pro than ever, but the camera is no big thing

That is what it felt like once I first unboxed the handset, with its magenta hues benefiting from golden hour by my lounge 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 turned my favourite of the 4 that launched this summer season.

A slimmed-down affair

Moreover the flamboyant new Hibiscus shade, 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 a giant 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, in contrast to 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 comfy utilizing it with out a case.

Additionally: Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 9: Why I’m considering the upgrade this year

Google has additionally slimmed down the digital camera bar to just about half the dimensions of final yr’s, making it really feel even sleeker. So, for those who do resolve to slap on a case, the digital camera bar ought to now match beneath the protecting layer, quite than doubtlessly being uncovered nonetheless to drops and scratches. It is fairly a formidable feat, contemplating the corporate upgraded the primary 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 here 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 a substitute of right down to 1Hz).
• All three cameras are inferior to their Professional counterparts, from the primary 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 subject 16GB of RAM and as much as 1TB of storage.
• Wired charging is restricted to 30W, whereas the Professional fashions help a sooner 45W ranking.

AI really shines with the bottom mannequin

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

In spite of everything, the corporate appears motivated to introduce AI options that improve the consumer expertise, quite than substitute 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 change into that a lot simpler to speak freely, narrate any changes, and ship messages with out worrying about my cellphone misinterpreting something.

The identical applies to the brand new Magic Seize function, which intelligently captures stills as you document a video. It is virtually a photographer assistant; they will take means too many images in worry of lacking “the shot,” however they will get you greater than sufficient good ones to make up for it.

Additionally: Google wants you to use its phones less – but I’m skeptical

With the brand new major sensor, I’ve truly been fairly glad with how shortly the cellphone captures and processes pictures, particularly in dimmer environments. The output remains to be not as vibrant and saturated as what you’d get from a Samsung cellphone, although, so it finally is dependent upon your desire for a way real looking and superb images 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 Influence”. 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 could be the largest sufferer of the global memory chip shortage. 

It was a lot simpler to justify shopping for the baseline Pixel; it was a value-driven flagship with options that almost matched its Professional siblings. In 2026, I am discovering it more durable to again the now $899 handset, particularly when its largest new improve may simply be a bigger digital camera sensor that takes barely higher images. (You too can make the argument for an improved suite of Gemini options, however these could ultimately trickle right down to older Pixel fashions.)

Additionally: I ditched T-Mobile for Mint and found 3 major 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 for those who discover simply the proper trade-in supply, sign-in promotion, or vacation deal, the Pixel 11 is your most secure choice of the 4. And, if historical past repeats itself, it’s possible you’ll even rating a brand new Pixel for a whole lot of {dollars} much less for those who wait till Black Friday.