The Google Pixel 11 Pro feels like a refinement of the previous generations in the best way. It doesn’t look a whole lot different than its predecessors, but it packs under-the-hood software updates that might convince some early adopters to upgrade earlier than they normally would. Its big plays for the title of best smartphone come from its camera tech; it’s made low-light photography easier than ever and Google gives us far more control over its image processing than I ever expected. So, does that merit an $100 price increase, especially when upgrading your phone might feel like a luxury that can wait another year or two? I spent a week with the Pixel 11 Pro to find out.
Google Pixel 11 Pro
The Google Pixel 11 Pro is a solid premium phone with serious upgrades to its camera tech that enable both better low-light photography and more control over how your photos look.
A gorgeous design and superbright screen
While I prefer larger smartphones such as the Pixel 11 Pro XL, the Pixel 11 Pro’s hardware is a solid step up from the already-great Pixel 10 Pro I praised last year. These two generations of phones may have similar size and weight, but this year’s model offers the loudest combination of color and finish that I’ve seen Google rock on the Pro Pixels, a pink Canyon back plate with a shiny gold Aluminum frame. The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL are also sold in more subdued hues such as a green Olive (what I tested and prefer), light-blue Fog and black Obsidian.
