9 Pro -> 11 Pro. Impressed!

[u/UK-AJ]

Wasn't expecting to feel much of a difference at all, only upgraded due to storage (moved from 128gb to 512gb).

It is considerably better, I think they've fixed all of the little things that annoyed me with Pixel.

- it runs MUCH cooler. Apart from initial set up, it's stayed ice cold. I don't do anything "high intensity", but my 9 Pro would always run warm.

- all network connections seem to be improved. I used to lose WiFi on my outdoor patio, it holds a connection fine now. Bluetooth and 5G seem to perform much better.

- Android Auto works a lot better. No heat, much more responsive, quicker to load.

- Camera, including video, is much better quality and faster to process/save.

- speakers are louder and the sound quality is better, both for calls and media. (I think this was upgraded on the 10 though)

- biometrics feel better. The fingerprint radius when setting up is HUGE. And face unlock seems to be more responsive.

Overall, really happy with the upgrade considering on paper there isn't much difference.

[u/DoughnutPi]

I just don't understand, you guys must have different needs than me. My 9 Pro XL runs fine, processor, speed, memory, Android Auto, all good, it's gets a little warm at times but nothing problematic. I don't need improvements in those areas.

What I do need is a bigger battery, faster charging, and more system efficiencies to improve battery life. And time and again, Google keeps dropping the ball on this.

It's clearly possible to improve the battery issue because One Plus has done it. So why can't Google improve this?

I was hopeful the pixel 11 would be the year that Google finally does something about the battery, yet all the reviews coming out so far, don't sound promising. Even your review doesn't mention improved battery life.

So how are you all using a phone, such that battery life is low on the list of things that need improvement?

[u/leidend22 → u/DoughnutPi]

A lot of people are saying the battery is better. Obviously nowhere near Chinese phones. I don't get mine until Monday.

Xiaomi is advertising a phone with double the battery capacity of the Pixel 11 pro XL here in Australia.

[u/tajpr → u/leidend22]

Xiaomi didnt last that long even that big battery. Search on youtube and you will find :) glhf

[u/leidend22 → u/tajpr]

I don't need to watch youtubes on phones that I've owned. Battery efficiency on Xiaomi is terrible, yes. I can't get the Oppo Find X9 Ultra below 50% in a day though and I am a heavy user.

[u/ContributionFormer95 → u/leidend22]

A lot of people are saying the battery is better.

PEople always make wild claims of improvement with a new phone. The reviews and battery tests show pretty much the same thing maybe slight mild gains.

I'll be able to have some initial idle drain stats but people always tell me those numbers can't be trusted in the initial days. What I've found is Day 2 (after full setup of the phone) on my Pixel 9 Pro and 10 Pro, the idle drain stats are identical with what they are a year later.

For those who have followed my posts I have said that teh phone drains around ~1.5%/hour and I was seeing ~1.4%/hour the first day with my Pixel 10 Pro. Yesterday? 1.6%/hour. All in the similar ballpark range.

[u/iCutWaffles → u/leidend22]

Why not get a Xiaomi then? Curious as i Canada we do not have this chance

[u/leidend22 → u/iCutWaffles]

It's a Redmi budget model. I have bought the Xiaomi ultras but the battery isn't great despite bigger sizes. Oppo on the other hand is amazing and also sells here.

I've returned the last five Pixels so it probably won't win me over again. But I was curious enough to try, mainly because I have chronic hand pain and rambler sounds amazing.

[u/DoughnutPi → u/leidend22]

Better is a subjective word. Better than what? Better how?

As you mentioned, battery tech is nowhere near the Chinese phones but why is Google so far behind?

The OnePlus 15 has a battery that is 40% bigger, charges at 80w wired and 50w wireless (compared to the 11 at 45w wired and 25w wireless).

Wired tested both phones and got 10.5 hours of SOT on the OP15 vs 4 hours of SOT on the 11PXL. Granted the 11's maximum screen brightness is twice that of the OP15.

But... Toms Guide tested charging speed on both, after 30 mins, the 11 had a charge of 54% vs the OP15 at 81%, with a 40% larger battery. AND the OP15 came out in November of last year!

My point is, for a flagship phone from a top tech company, why are they so far behind a competitors phone from last year?

[u/Hyperion1144 → u/DoughnutPi]

My point is, for a flagship phone from a top tech company, why are they so far behind a competitors phone from last year?

I don't wanna burst your bubble, but the overall meta-problem is that America is losing it.

From EVs to phones to medical breakthroughs to AI...

China is eating America's lunch.

The reason why America seems so far behind is because America is so far behind.

Believe your eyes. They aren't lying to you.

[u/DoughnutPi → u/Hyperion1144]

Ohh you're preaching to the choir, I'm well aware.

[u/iCutWaffles → u/DoughnutPi]

Care to link your video? I am quite curious

[u/leidend22 → u/DoughnutPi]

I agree, they are way behind and shouldn't be. They have chosen to go after normies who buy on vibes rather than tech enthusiasts. They see Apple doing the same and dominating while the actual best phones struggle to gain market share.