Google's Pixel 11 phones have been on shelves since August 20, and the first wave of in-depth testing is now in. The lineup launched at the Made by Google event in New York on August 12, hosted by Trevor Noah, and includes the Pixel 11 at $899, the Pixel 11 Pro at $1,099 and the Pixel 11 Pro XL at $1,299. A Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 5 and a new Pixel Tag tracker were announced at the same event.
Tensor G6 under the microscope
The Tensor G6 is Google's first chip on TSMC's 2nm process. Google's own claims were 25 percent faster web browsing, 15 percent quicker app launches and on-device AI that runs 3.5 times faster while using less power. Android Authority's benchmark testing found single-core Geekbench 6 scores up around 18 percent and multi-core up about 21 percent over the previous generation, which the site called a promising generational gain. The chip also includes a Titan M3 security core.
Camera and display upgrades
Google billed this as its biggest camera upgrade in years:
- Pixel 11: a new 48MP main sensor with 56 percent better light sensitivity, plus 30x Super Zoom through a 5x telephoto
- Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL: a new main sensor and an upgraded 48MP telephoto with 30 percent more light sensitivity, Portrait Mode at 5x, Pro Zoom up to 120x, and Night Sight that captures 4.5 times faster
- Pro models get a 3,600-nit Super Actua display with more than double the scratch resistance
The camera bar is 40 percent thinner across the line, and the Pro phones add HiLight LED notifications that glow in custom colors for calls and Gemini interactions.
Charging and support
Google says the Pixel 11 Pro XL can gain 15 hours of battery life from 15 minutes of wired charging, and all models support Qi 2.2 wireless charging. Every Pixel 11 gets seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates; Pro buyers receive six months of Google AI Pro. Colors are Pistachio, Hibiscus, Frost and Obsidian for the Pixel 11, and Canyon, Fog, Olive and Obsidian for the Pro models.
Source: Google Blog, Android Authority
Photo: Google (source)
