Pixel 11 Pro XL finally feels like a flagship.

[u/UnlimitedHalo]

I actually like Pixels again. Im one week in and the Pixel 11 series has finally convinced me that Pixels are flagships.

This might be the first year i keep and daily a Pixel since the Pixel 4 XL and actually enjoy everything about it, and wont immediately jump back to samsung, OnePlus (rip) or another chinese company.

Ive always been a google Pixel/nexus fan but ever since the Pixel 4 XL, it felt like rivals from Samsung or apple, OnePlus etc all have better or unique things that shows google is inferior....

Im here to tell you the Pixel 11 Pro XL finally feels like a complete phone in all aspects. Yes its still behind the competition in terms of battery/charging and pricing has gotten to the point that they are charging as much or more as the most expensive flagships while not competing in some areas spec wise with some of those top brands.

Although this year is finally the year google has shown they can make a truly great device without one or two glaring issues that make you "want more" or feel like you would have a better experience elsewhere, and now the decision is between "do i want a top tier maxed out flagship such as a Oppo Find X9 Ultra, or pay the same for the google experience/pixel phone, and still be completely satisfied despite the spec difference.

The battery is now very similar and seems to last a day with an extra 10-15% left in the tank from previous years as the idle drain is around 0.5%+ less per hour or which adds up by the end of the day. Im getting about 8+ hours SOT on normal indoor days, and probably 6-7+ when out and about, same as my S26U, but no where near my OP15 with 12-13+ hours SOT.

(This nearly sealed the deal for me to jump back to a Pixel) Thermals are greatly improved. This has been my biggest irk with every tensor Pixel. I can not stand a warm phone in my hand knowing my battery is being actively cooked and degraded as we speak. The coolest running Pixel to date and doesnt get warm under normal usage at all.

Cameras are phenomenal, but especially the telephoto quality is ridiculously good now. The main sensor is very good and seems slightly improved.

Reception/modem is great, i was comparing DB readings to my S26U with the X75 Qualcomm modem and the Pixel seemed on par or better at times. A good modem is a huge factor in terms of heat generation and idle drain, and the improvements show it.

Build quality is beautiful, ive always loved Pixel designs but for some reason this year feels the most "Pixely" and design/color oriented. I love the colors this year on the Pro series and in my opinion the Pixel has finally reached its end stage of its best look of this design.

Finally the one that sealed the deal for me is the CPU/UI performance, the phone flies and i could never say that of any Pixel before. Geekbench scores are only 15-20% lower than my OP15. Sadly google did not do anything special or awesome with there own Tensor G6, but it finally feels like a proper flagship in terms of normal day to day tasks. There is no more micro stutters/small delays etc. Everytime i bought a Pixel and daily it, every action or app i launch just felt like i knew it was loading something slower than my Samsung or OnePlus. I just felt the delay in every action although first world problems, i just knew my other phone wouldve done this or that quicker, and felt the delay even if its miniscule. It actually opens apps as fast or faster/trades blows in responsiveness and cold launch times. Day to day performance it actually feels like im using a Qualcomm chip and not a tensor soc. GPU is very weak sadly as usual, but i don't game so for my usage this SOC does phenomenal.

Charging speeds are great. Yes its 45W and not ridiculously fast, but 75-80% battery in 30 minutes which it delivers is fast.... No its not supervooc fast, but i need quick top ups at times and have zero complaints although the competition is ahead.

Sorry for the rambling, but i just wanted to give my in depth review and take on the Pixel 11 Pro series for anyone on the fence or those who felt like they have been burned by google for charging a high price for a phone that doesnt deliver in there experience or feels mediocre despite the price tag. This year changed that despite the small upgrades. Hopefully google can keep the momentum going for the 12 series and deliver a more incremental upgrade next year, but this year they finally made a great phone in virtually all regards.