Google Pixel 11
Pixel 10 part 2
The Pixel 11 takes the best parts of the Pixel 10 and enhances them, thanks ot a newer chip, upgraded modem, and a new camera.
Pros
- Higher base storage
- More efficient chip
- Android 17 out of the box
- Longer zoom range
- Faster wireless charging
Cons
- Higher starting price
- Still quite thick
- Few camera changes
- Non-LTPO display (60-120Hz)
Google Pixel 10
The new standard
The Pixel 10 is one of the best AI phones you can buy, and with a triple camera setup, you can take great pictures, even up close.
Pros
- Cheaper starting price
- 7 years of OS upgrades
- Built-in Qi2 magnets
- Fun and useful AI features
Cons
- Lower base storage
- Older chipset
- e-SIM only in the U.S.
- Missing Pro features
The Pixel 10 is one of our favorite smartphones of 2025, but now that the Pixel 11 launch is here, I'm taking a look at both phones to determine whether it's worth upgrading from the Pixel 10. Or at least which phone you should consider buying.
The Pixel 11 gets some notable improvements over the Pixel 10, from a new chipset to more base storage and an improved camera. All of that sounds pretty good. And having reviewed the Pixel 10 myself, I'm more than interested to see what upgrades Google is bringing to its successor.
Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: More of the same design with one illuminating mystery
The Pixel 11 doesn't look much different from the Pixel 10. The dimensions are actually identical, although the Pixel 11 is a bit lighter at 6.9oz, which is interesting. I was hoping the Pixel 11 would get thinner, since the Pixel 10 is already pretty thick, but it seems Google isn't interested in silicon-carbon batteries yet (more on that later).
More noticeable design changes appear on the rear. Google removed the aluminum bit on the camera, so it's all black and covered in glass. But that's probably the only way to tell the two phones apart aside from the colors.
One feature we were hoping to see on the Pixel 11 is the new HiLight, a colorful lighting configuration embedded in the LED flash unit. That feature is exclusive to the Pixel 11 Pro models, making the Pixel 11 a bit less interesting than its siblings. It probably wouldn't have been thee compelling feature to get you to buy a Pixel 11 over a Pixel 10, but it would've been a nice way to differentiate from its predecessor.
On the front, the display doesn't change much either. The Pixel 11 uses the same 6.3-inch OLED panel and retains the same brightness levels, which is a bit of a letdown.
Fortunately, there are some compelling color options, such as Pistachio and Hibiscus, although I was really fond of the Indigo Pixel 10 and wish Google kept that color.
Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: There are some important changes
The biggest changes to the Pixel 11 are mostly under the hood. The phone is powered by the Tensor G6, a new custom chipset that offers 20% better power efficiency, 25% faster browsing, and 15% faster app loading. I didn't have many problems with the Pixel 10's performance, but any improvements here are welcome.
Furthermore, the Pixel 11 has double the base storage of the Pixel 10 at 256GB. I'm happy to see this, as 128GB just doesn't cut it for a flagship, even one that's so cloud-focused as the Pixel. Unfortunately, this comes with a higher price tag for the base Pixel 11, which now starts at $899.
That was the same price as the 256GB Pixel 10, so the price technically hasn't gone up, but you are technically paying more to get a Pixel.
Category |
Google Pixel 11 |
Google Pixel 10 |
|---|---|---|
OS |
Android 17 |
Android 16 (upgradable to Android 17) |
Display |
6.3-inch, 60-120Hz AMOLED |
6.3-inch, 60-120Hz AMOLED |
Processor |
Google Tensor G6 |
Google Tensor G5 |
RAM |
12GB |
12GB |
Storage options |
256GB, 512GB |
128GB, 256GB |
Cameras |
Rear: 48MP wide + 13MP ultrawide + 10.8MP telephoto (5X) Front: 10.8MP wide |
Rear: 48MP wide + 13MP ultrawide + 10.8MP telephoto (5X) Front: 10.8MP wide |
Battery |
4,985mAh |
4,970mAh |
Charging |
30W wired 25W Qi2 wireless |
30W wired 15W Qi2 wireless |
Connectivity |
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v6, NFC, Dual-band GPS, 5G mmWave (NA only), 5G Sub-6, LTE |
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v6, NFC, Dual-band GPS, 5G mmWave (NA only), 5G Sub-6, LTE |
Colors |
Hibiscus, Frost, Obsidian, Pistachio |
Indigo, Frost, Lemongrass, Obsidian |
Unfortunately, there probably aren't many battery gains, with a bump of 15 mAh. That said, I didn't have any issues with battery life on the Pixel 10, and the more efficient chipset should help improve battery life. Google still notes 30+ hours per charge, so we'll have to put it through its paces to see if there are any improvements.
Wired charging is also the same at 30W, but wireless charging has been upgraded to 25W, thanks to Qi2.2. This should make Pixelsnap accessories much more appealing.
Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: How will the Pixel 11 enhance the software and AI experience?
One good thing about Pixels is that the software experience is pretty much the same across models. The Pixel 10 adopts Material 3 Expressive, so it's very colorful and full of fun shapes. I actually enjoyed the Pixel software experience for the first time with Android 16, thanks to improvements like the customizable Quick Settings menu and the notification organizer.
That extends to the AI experience, which has been enhanced with the Tensor G5 chip. Google introduced some neat new AI features, like Camera Coach and automation that lets Gemini place orders for rideshares and food deliveries on your behalf. And with features like Gemini Live, the Pixel 10 is the full package.
The Pixel 11 improves on the software and AI experience, especially with Gemini Intelligence. The Pixel 10 will likely receive many of these features as part of the upgraded AI experience, but a new chipset makes the Pixel 11 more capable with 50% more TPU performance.
The Pixel 11 also launches with Android 17 out of the box, bringing newer features such as Sign Language-to-text translation, the new Rambler voice-to-text, and new social media-ready features with the onboard Creator Suite. It's not clear which features will make it to the Pixel 10, but some will likely be exclusive to the Pixel 11.
Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: Welcome camera improvements
Last year's Pixel 10 featured a 48MP primary camera "downgrade," although it still took great photos. Thanks to the addition of a third 5x telephoto sensor, zoom photos were excellent. For the Pixel 11, Google retains the same triple camera system, although with a slightly larger primary sensor, slightly wider FOV, and an upgrade to 30x zoom, up from 20x on the Pixel 10.
The Pixel also gets new camera features, such as Camera Looks, which easily changes the look and feel of your images based on your preferences for more creative options. Magic Capture also takes the best frames from a video and turns them into high-quality photos.
Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: So should you upgrade?
If you already have the Pixel 10, there's little reason to upgrade to the Pixel 11. The Tensor G5 is a very capable chipset and will likely support most of the new features coming to the Pixel 11. And even so, I doubt any new features, cool as they are, will be enough to convince many to swap their device.
Plus, with seven years of OS upgrades and security patches, the Pixel 10 still has a lot of life left in it.
Still, the Pixel 11 is a good phone to consider for anyone who doesn't own a Pixel 10. That is, if you can handle the price increase. Perhaps if you're coming from a Pixel 9 or earlier, the Pixel 11 could be worth the upgrade, especially if it means you're getting a third camera lens.
