I’ve been using Pixel devices for years, and I’ve always appreciated the way Google approaches smartphones. Pixels always deliver a mix of clean software, clever camera tricks and the confidence that they don’t need to outdo Apple and Samsung when it comes to raw performance.
But after spending the last two weeks with the Pixel 11 Pro, that charm is starting to wear thin for me. Not because the phone is bad — it’s actually good in plenty of areas — but because Google seems content to coast. And with 2026, packed with powerhouse devices all trying new things, coasting is a dangerous strategy.
