Pixel 11 vs Pixel 11 Pro: What's the Extra Money Buying You?
Google's Pixel 11 series has been released, and it marks a significant shift in the company's smartphone strategy. The starting prices for both models have risen across the board, with the base model starting at $899 and the Pro version starting at $1,099.
The main question on everyone's mind is what exactly does that extra money buy you? Both phones run on the same Google Tensor G6 chip, launch with Android 17, and share a number of features. However, there are some key differences between them, particularly for photography enthusiasts, video creators, and power users.
The display is one area where the Pro model stands out from the base model. The Pro's Super Actua display has a sharper 1,280 x 2,856 LTPO OLED panel at 495 PPI, with a refresh rate of 1-120Hz and peak brightness of 3,600 nits. In contrast, the Pixel 11's Actua OLED display delivers a resolution of 1,080 x 2,424 at 422 PPI, with a variable refresh rate of 60-120Hz and peak brightness of 3,000 nits.
The camera system is another area where the Pro model has a significant advantage over the base model. The Pixel 11 Pro's wide camera uses a 1/1.3-inch sensor compared to the 11's 1/1.56-inch, which pulls in more light and should deliver finer detail. The ultrawide jumps from 13MP to 48MP, a massive resolution bump that will make landscape and architectural shots pop.
Other notable differences between the two phones include Wi-Fi connectivity - the Pro supports Wi-Fi 7, while the base model only has Wi-Fi 6E. Additionally, the Pro includes an ultra-wideband chip for accurate spatial orientation and precise device ranging.