Here come the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL, which, as you noticed during Google’s conference, seem to offer few novelties to warrant their higher price (€100). What is there really, in hand?
This will be the focus of our test, as usual centered on the two twin smartphones that crown the lineup. Indeed, aside from screen size, the Pixel 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL differ mainly in battery capacity, naturally favoring the larger model.
- Toujours fan du design
- Un bel écran, plus lumineux
- Des fonctions exclusives intéressantes (Rambler, Téléprompteur)
Test conducted on a smartphone loaned by the manufacturer.
In the Box of Google Pixel 11 Pro
- USB-C to USB-C cable
Design: Minor changes and a new notification LED
I don’t expect Google to reinvent the wheel every year, but I’ll say it outright: I leave these new models a touch unsatisfied. Apart from new colors, the adjustments are mainly in the camera bar (slimmer) and the appearance of the HiLight LED to give a crisp edge to these new flagship devices. Make no mistake: one of the biggest novelties of the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL is a multicolor notification diode. As if the industry had already achieved a full revolution since early Android smartphones of the 2010s.
HiLight software aside, the Pro models stay built in glass (Gorilla Glass Victus 2) and framed by glossy aluminum that collects fingerprints. The whole Pixel 11 family is IP68-certified, and the buttons keep their usual placement — which, to me, remains as awkward a Power button as ever. I’d love Google to borrow ideas from Honor, Oppo or Apple and finally add an extra shortcut button to enrich the experience. Maybe next year?
On the whole, the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL are slightly thinner and lighter than their predecessors. Nothing visually obvious, but this is exactly the kind of test that demands a seven-differences approach.
Display: a little more light
The first has a 6.3″ OLED, the second a 6.8″ panel. Both are LTPO and therefore feature adaptive refresh from 1 Hz to 120 Hz for flawless fluidity. The resolution is impeccable as well, roughly 500 ppi on both models with 1.5K definition.
This year, brightness improvements were made to the display. Google now mentions a HDR peak brightness of 3600 nits versus 3300 last year. Personally, without a Pixel 10 Pro on hand, I can’t confirm eye-doubling difference, but it’s undeniable that both phones remain perfectly legible outdoors and in bright sun. A minimum expectation for devices over €1000 in 2026!
Performance: Tensor G6 struggles to convince
A lot of contradictory information swirls around this new chip. Initially, we heard it would be one of the rare SoCs built on a 2 nm process. In the end, Google sticks with a proven 3 nm process. At first glance, it feels like we’re taking a step backward. Unlike last year’s Tensor G5, we lose one core. The Tensor G6 indeed houses a 7-core CPU, with frequencies raised compared to last year. A small adjustment needed so Google can further boost the NPU — the AI-focused neural processing unit. The GPU doesn’t seem to have been dramatically overclocked this year, although benchmarks show a slight power increase.
Yet, the reality is that Google Pixel phones are still not top-tier performance devices. They remain completely fluid, with polished animations and minimal loading times, and will satisfy anyone used to mid-range devices. But if you’re a power user—video editing on the phone, long gaming sessions—you’ll still feel a touch cramped. In Neverness to Everness, the Pixel 11 Pro XL lurches like a yo-yo. Even in “Balanced” mode, the frame rate oscillates between 18 (yes, 18) and 58 fps. Not serious for a phone at this price.
In fact, paying €1200 (or €1400) for a smartphone that is slower than a POCO X8 Max sold for around €430 is hard to swallow. Moreover, compared to last year’s Pixel 11 Pro begins with 12 GB of RAM, not 16 GB.
Alors, oui. Il y a l’IA. Mais, au vu des maigres fonctionnalités réellement disponibles en France au lancement, on ne bénéficie même pas d’un dixième des apports du nouveau NPU des Pixel 11. La firme n’y est pas nécessairement pour grand-chose, mais on souffre face à ce manque d’élan qui se paie au prix fort.
Display: a touch more light
The first sports a 6.3″ OLED, while the second relies on a 6.8″ panel. Both are LTPO with adaptive refresh rates from 1 to 120 Hz for ultimate smoothness. The resolution remains excellent, approaching 500 ppi with 1.5K definition.
Performance: the Tensor G6 struggles to convince
A lot of contradictory information surrounds this new chip. Initially, it was thought to be one of the few SoCs built on a 2 nm process. In the end, it sticks with a proven 3 nm process. At first glance, one may feel a loss. Unlike last year’s G5, you lose a core. The Tensor G6 indeed houses a 7-core CPU, frequencies raised from last year. A small concession to give the NPU more boost — the AI-focused unit. The GPU doesn’t seem to have been dramatically overclocked this year, though benchmarks show a modest uptick.
Nevertheless, Google Pixel phones are still not speed demons. They remain perfectly smooth for everyday tasks and animation, and offer satisfactory performance for most users. But if you’re a power user who edits on mobile or plays demanding games for long sessions, you’ll feel a touch cramped. In practice, the Pixel 11 Pro XL shows throttling in heavy use—the frame rate sways between 18 and 58 fps in balanced mode, which isn’t convincing for a high-end device at this price.
Honestly, paying €1,200 (or €1,400) for a phone that is noticeably slower than a POCO X8 Max at around €430 is hard to justify. And compared to last year, the Pixel 11 Pro starts with 12 GB of RAM, not 16 GB.
Camera: software-first progress
Google recycles most sensors from its previous generation. In fact, only the ultrawide seems updated, barely larger than last year. For the rest, expect mainly software-level optimizations, as Google often does. On zoom, the Pro Super Zoom goes from 100x to 120x this year. As you’ve guessed, AI plays a bigger role than ever in this story.
Still, the Google Pixels are not the most capable performers on the market. They remain perfectly fluid, with refined animations and near-instant app loading, satisfying those accustomed to mid-range devices. But if you crave high-end gaming or intensive photo editing, you’ll feel the limits. On NTE (Neverness to Everness), the Pixel 11 Pro XL toggles between 18 and 58 fps even in “Balanced” mode. This isn’t convincing for a phone at this price point.
In fact, paying €1,200 (or €1,400) for a device that is slower than a POCO X8 Max at about €430 is hard to justify. Compared to last year, Pixel 11 Pro starts with 12 GB RAM, not 16 GB.
The Pixel 11 Pro XL, however, feels like a software-first device, with a hardware base that is increasingly a scaffold for AI tools. The experience leans heavily on software enhancements rather than raw performance gains.
La configuration photo des Google Pixel 11 Pro / 11 Pro XL :
- Wide: 50 MP, 1/1.31″, f/1.7, OIS;
- Ultra-wide: 48 MP, 1/2.51″, f/1.7;
- Telephoto 5x: 48 MP, 1/2.55″, f/2.8, OIS;
- Selfie: 42 MP, f/2.2.
Grand-angle
Even without major hardware changes, shooting with the Pixel remains a genuine pleasure. The point-and-shoot king, Google’s phone delivers extraordinary image quality—though it relies less on raw specs than on the processing pipeline mastery. Shots are sharp, vibrant, with natural exposure (shadows not aggressively lifted), and a warmer white balance that contrasts with competitors.
Performances: la Tensor G6 peine à convaincre
There’s a lot of conflicting information surrounding this new chip. At first, many believed it to be a 2 nm SoC. Ultimately, it sticks to a proven 3 nm process. But, at first glance, it feels like a step back: unlike last year’s G5, you lose a core. The Tensor G6 houses a 7-core CPU, the frequencies of which have thankfully been raised compared to last year. A small adjustment is necessary so Google can push the NPU even further — the AI task-specific unit. The GPU, meanwhile, does not seem to have been dramatically overclocked this year, though benchmarks show a slight boost.
Yet, the fact remains that Google Pixels are not speed demons. They remain perfectly fluid for everyday use, with smooth animations, minimal loading times, and satisfy anyone used to mid-range devices. But if you’re a power user who edits on mobile or plays graphically heavy games for extended periods, you’ll feel cramped again. On NTE (Neverness to Everness), the Pixel 11 Pro XL makes the framerate bounce between 18 (yes, 18) and 58 fps. That’s not serious for a phone at this price.
In fact, paying €1,200 (or €1,400) for a smartphone that, in a sense, is slower than a POCO X8 Max at €430 is hard to defend. And compared to last year, Pixel 11 Pro begins with 12 GB RAM rather than 16 GB.
Then yes—the AI is there. Yet given the meager features available in France at launch, we’re not even enjoying a tenth of what the new NPU can do. The company isn’t entirely to blame, but we’re left with a sense of standstill that still comes at a high price.
Interface: an ecosystem built around a phantom AI
We’ve entered an era of a two-speed smartphone. Today, launching a new Pixel is more about exploring the asterisks at the end of the press release than dissecting the product’s technical sheet. And there are indeed plenty of fine print lines. In reality, the Pixel 11 Pro Google presented on August 12 last year exists only in the United States and a handful of countries that have torn down the fences around AI. In practice, Pixel 11’s software experience is markedly similar to that of last year’s Pixel 10 (and, dare I say, the Pixel 9 a year earlier).
The novelties exist but are too timid to really catch the eye. Fueled by Android 17 with subtle aesthetic changes, the Pixel 11 represents Google’s ultimate phone, naturally spotlighting Gemini. The problem is that the Gemini Intelligence suite, touted as the firm’s flagship for deploying agent-like features, is absent here in many regions. In France, there’s nothing akin to snippets offering personalized suggestions based on context, or AI that combs through your calendar to surface exactly what you need. Here, it’s smoke and mirrors, and the Pixel 11 Pro isn’t objectively more “intelligent” than any other phone marketed as smart.
Clearly, the situation may change the day Google decides to roll out its features in Europe. For now, the main novelties are rather discreet. Let’s begin with an exclusive: the HiLight. The camera flash on the Pro models is stacked with RGB LEDs capable of displaying different color motifs depending on which contact is associated with a given color (only for calls). A special pattern also animates when you chat with Gemini. The idea is to keep an eye on important calls when you flip your phone to focus on a task. Needing Do Not Disturb to be active for six or seven years? No, I won’t pretend to be convinced by this gadget, which I’d place in the same drawer as Nothing’s Glyph LEDs.
Night photography and modes
Google has popularized night modes on smartphones. It’s natural that the Pixel 11 Pro stands as a proud representative of this sport. This year, you’ll notice a noticeable improvement in the night mode’s exposure time. Indoor shooting is almost instantaneous, even in very low light. Naturally, the wide-angle remains the main lens for this exercise due to its larger sensor, but the telephoto also yields interesting results.
Autonomy: still lazy smartphones
A surprising calculation: the Pixel 11 Pro XL actually ships with a smaller battery capacity than last year (5115 mAh vs 5200 mAh). For the Pixel 11 Pro, the opposite is true, with a modest gain of 20 mAh (4850 mAh). In other words, battery life wasn’t a major leaker of improvements for this generation—though the PC Mark automated test shows a few tiny signs of improvement, around 16 hours.
In practice, the Pixel 11 Pro and even the Pixel 11 Pro XL drain very quickly. They are, in effect, “lazy” smartphones. With light browsing and social scrolling they can last a day, but if you game, you’ll need to recharge before sunset. I’m writing these lines after 30 minutes on NTE, which shaved 18% off my battery. It’s 10:30 a.m., and I have only 45% left. The morning start showed 87% on arrival. And I’m talking about the most endurance-oriented of the two!
On charging, progress is mixed. The Pixel 11 Pro XL now accepts up to 45W charging, which should reclaim about 75% in 30 minutes. With my Anker 65W charger, I only regained 50% in 30 minutes—the same as the 11 Pro (which caps at 30W). In short, expect about 1 hour 30 minutes for a full recharge. Both phones support Qi2.2 wireless charging at 25W.
Google Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL: price, availability and competition
The new Google smartphones are now available in Peach Pink, Olive, Mist, and Volcanic Black. As already noted in this test, the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL launch €100 higher than their predecessors.
- Pixel 11 Pro: €1,199 (12+256 GB), €1,329 (16+512 GB), €1,589 (16 GB + 1 TB);
- Pixel 11 Pro XL: €1,399 (12+256 GB), €1,529 (16+512 GB), €1,789 (16 GB + 1 TB).
At those prices, the Pixels square off against the iPhone 17 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S26+. Depending on promotions, the S26 Ultra and Xiaomi 17 Ultra are also reference points. The rumored iPhone 18 from Apple next month will also be competitors for the Pixels. But rumors suggest prices will rise there, too, making the Pixels less competitive.
Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL: Clubic’s verdict
The Pixel 11 Pro’s biggest adversary is the previous year’s Pixel 10 Pro. A finding I now voice every year about Google’s smartphones, which should frankly worry you. While the firm leans more towards AI, it neglects its hardware and prices its products high.
Launched €100 more than its predecessor, the Pixel 11 Pro offers little more than a nicer look, a barely brighter screen, and a few features (voice dictation, prompter) that may make a difference for a small niche of users.
I remain hungry due to a processor that makes no real effort, especially on the graphics side. Not being able to run a recent game at 60 fps on a €1,200 phone in 2026 seems outrageous. It would still be acceptable if the battery life was absolutely stellar. Spoiler: no. As in previous years, don’t expect more than a full day, at best.
A strange product, which I’m reluctant to condemn because, factually, it remains good at what it does. But, as last year and the year before, it’s hard to prefer it to the previous model which today can be found at nearly half the price.
- Toujours fan du design
- Un bel écran, plus lumineux
- Des fonctions exclusives intéressantes (Rambler, Téléprompteur)
- Une interface irréprochable
- Un grand photophone
- Trop peu de nouveautés
- Un processeur dépassé par la concurrence
- Toujours paresseux sur l’autonomie
- Des fonctions d’IA indisponibles en France
- €200 de plus que le 11 Pro, mais pour quoi exactement ?
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The Pixel 11 Pro’s biggest foe is the Pixel 10 Pro from last year. A finding I now voice every year about Google’s smartphones, which should concern you. While the firm continues to push for AI, it neglects its hardware, and charges top euro for its products.
Launched €100 more than its predecessor, the Pixel 11 Pro offers little more than a handsome look, a slightly brighter screen, and a handful of features (voice dictation, teleprompter) that may make a difference for a small niche of users.
I remain hungry due to a processor that makes no effort, especially on graphics. Not being able to run a 60 fps game on a €1,200 phone in 2026 feels unacceptable. It would be tolerable if battery life were stellar. Spoiler: it isn’t. As in previous years, don’t expect more than a solid day, at best.
A curious product, I choose not to harshly judge because, factually, it remains good at what it does. But, as last year, and the year before, hard to prefer it to the previous model which today can be found at half price or less.
- Toujours fan du design
- Un bel écran, plus lumineux
- Des fonctions exclusives intéressantes (Rambler, Téléprompteur)
Test conducted on a smartphone loaned by the manufacturer.
In the Box of Google Pixel 11 Pro
- USB-C to USB-C cable
Daniel Brooks
I cover everyday products with a practical eye, from kitchen tools and home essentials to smart gadgets and consumer trends. My goal is to help readers understand what is genuinely useful, what is worth the price, and what deserves a second look before buying.