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Pixel 11 Initial Review: This probably could have been a software update [Video]

Published: 08/19/2026, 04:01 PM

You can understand a lot about a product from its first couple of hours, and if that is anything to go by, the Pixel 11 feels like an adequate but modest update that is likely only of interest to people wanting a “new” phone. For more video content, subscribe to 9to5Google on YouTube It’s really tough to talk about the Pixel 11’s design when it’s practically identical as last year. I’m exaggerating a little bit, but the outright biggest change is the full glass camera bar section, which I didn’t even notice during my initial hands-on. However, it’s a great change. It looks very consistent and makes it stand out for the better. Not many people will make the switch over from the Pixel 10, but the weight reduction of around 7g is genuinely noticeable. I figured I wouldn’t care, but I like it. Maybe the lack of metal around the camera bar helped shave some mass and depth; the phone now sits a little flatter when upright on a desk. The Pixel 11 and Pixel 10 feel almost identical. Chunky, stable, very comfortable to hold. I paired it with the brand new Pixel Clear Case. I dislike the exposed lip on the bottom edge; it’s not worth $50, but otherwise, this is an acceptable starter case. There are some tangible gains that you can’t see right away. Last year, I was critical of the weakness of the Pixelsnap magnets. The good news is that Google listened, and the magnets are marginally stronger this year versus last year. When you attach a kickstand or similar, the “snap” is stronger, the connection feels more stable, and it’s harder to wobble things off with a vigorous shake. I would like it to be a little stronger still, but it’s a nice year-over-year improvement. The performance at least feels better than the previous generation. I don’t doubt that Google has tailored the experience to make it feel fast and smooth out of the box. If you have come from a phone with the slower UFS 3.1 storage, then I hope you can feel it too. Apps do load marginally faster from a cold start, but we’re talking milliseconds. There’s an smoothness that is hard to quantify on a Pixel; you know it when you see it or feel it. I don’t know why the display stays tuned to 60Hz out of the box or by default. It should be set at the full flow 120Hz, because there’s only one chance to make a first impression. Coming over from the Pixel 10 Pro XL, I switched without a hitch, and Android 17 just feels like a warm pair of slippers at this point. There isn’t much here that feels particularly standout from a core OS experience, and that is both a positive and a negative.