Google's Pixel 11 Pro Series: Impressive Features, But at What Cost?

The latest Google Pixel phones, Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL, offer some impressive features, but their high prices and numerous shortcomings make them hard to recommend. The devices come in a range of sizes without compromise, and camera hardware improvements are notable over the previous model.

One standout feature is Magic Capture, which automatically takes pictures for you and produces truly amazing results. Other new Gemini features like Rambler, Creator Suite, instant Night Sight, and live translation for videos also make a strong impression.

However, despite these advancements, the phones have several drawbacks. They come with less RAM than last year's model, smaller batteries, slower charging speeds, and a GPU that still doesn't support the latest Vulkan APIs.

The price increase is another significant issue, with the Pixel 11 Pro XL costing $100 more than its predecessor. This makes it difficult to justify the expense, especially considering the device's performance lags behind competitors in several areas.