We recently reviewed the Google Pixel 11 Pro and found it to be a competent flagship. Starting at Rs 1,19,999, the handset brings Pro-grade features in a not-so-big and bulky form factor. The smartphone also benefits from Google’s clean and feature-rich software, a host of useful AI features, and a bright OLED display, among other things. However, the Pixel 11 Pro isn’t without its shortcomings. Read on to find out what makes the Google Pixel 11 Pro worth considering and where it falls short.
Table of Contents
Reasons to buy Google Pixel 11 Pro
Compact and premium flagship
The Google Pixel 11 Pro is one of the few flagship smartphones that offers Pro-grade hardware in a relatively compact form factor. The handset features a 6.3-inch display, making it easier to handle and pocket than other Pro-style smartphones in the segment. This is particularly useful for users who prefer a phone that can be comfortably operated with one hand without sacrificing features typically reserved for higher-end models.
The premium glass-and-metal construction further adds to its appeal. The phone feels well-built and reassuringly premium in hand. Additionally, the Pixel 11 Pro boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, adding a layer of protection for everyday use.
Useful AI features
Google continues to use AI as one of the primary differentiators of its Pixel smartphones, and the Pixel 11 Pro is no exception. Rambler is a particularly useful addition, which converts natural speech into clean, ready-to-send text, supporting up to 11 languages, including Hinglish. This can save considerable time when composing messages, particularly for users who frequently dictate rather than type.
There is also Camera Coach, which can help users frame and capture better images, while Magic Capture can identify useful moments from videos and save them as standalone photos. Proactive Suggestions add another layer of contextual assistance, while deeper Gemini integration makes the phone feel more closely connected to Google’s AI ecosystem. While these features may not make the Pixel 11 Pro faster or more powerful, they make everyday interactions more convenient.
Promising cameras
Google has equipped the Pixel 11 Pro with a large 50MP primary sensor and a 48MP 5x telephoto camera, while retaining the same 48MP ultrawide and 42MP front camera as its predecessor. The upgraded sensors help the phone capture good-looking images across different lighting conditions. The images, in general, boast impressive dynamic range, contrast, and realistic appearance. The Pixel 11 Pro also handles skin tones well, particularly with its selfie camera.
The details may not be class-leading, but its consistency makes the smartphone easy to recommend for photography enthusiasts.
Dependable battery life
The Google Pixel 11 Pro packs a 4,850mAh battery, which is actually smaller than the 4,985mAh unit found inside the regular Pixel 11. That’s also considerably smaller than batteries found in competing Pro smartphones. However, the smartphone managed to clock a runtime of nearly 18 hours in the PCMark battery test, which is pretty impressive.
The real-world tests and usage show a decent battery life, if not impressive. An hour of YouTube streaming and gaming consumed an average of 7 percent battery, while the screen-on time on the smartphone during everyday usage remained around six hours.
Users who spend several hours gaming, recording video or consuming media may need to reach for the charger before the end of the day, but the Google Pixel 11 Pro’s battery backup seems enough for a typical working day with moderate usage.
Reasons not to buy Google Pixel 11 Pro
Lacks performance for power users
The Google Pixel 11 Pro rocks a Tensor G6 chipset under the hood, which is perfectly capable of handling everyday smartphone tasks. Multitasking, navigating the interface, running applications and using Google’s AI features all feel smooth. However, raw performance is not the chipset’s strongest attribute.
In our AnTuTu testing, the Pixel 11 Pro scored 14,21,232 points. In comparison, the Vivo X300 Pro and OPPO Find X9 Pro, both powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, scored 35,36,552 and 34,06,260 points, respectively. This is a substantial gap, making the smartphone less appealing for power users.
There are a few noticeable lags when the smartphone is subjected to demanding tasks such as extreme multitasking, gaming, 4K video recording, and video editing for extended periods.
HiLight has limited scope
Google’s new HiLight feature is one of the more unusual additions to the Pixel 11 Pro. It uses the rear LED to provide visual cues during certain interactions, including calls and Gemini-related activity. The purpose is to make the phone interactive even when it is face down to interact with AI and recognise phone calls. However, the problem is that its functionality is fairly limited. The feature cannot be customised or assigned to regular notifications or alerts.
As a result, it feels more like an interesting showcase of what Google can do with the hardware than a feature that significantly improves everyday usability.
Verdict
The Google Pixel 11 Pro competes with last year’s OPPO Find X9 Pro (review) and Vivo X300 Pro (review) in this segment, both of which remain more powerful and offer better battery life. Their successors, expected to launch later this year, could further widen the gap, making the Pixel 11 Pro’s performance and battery limitations even more noticeable.
However, the Google smartphone will continue to make a case for itself with its relatively pocketable design, AI features, and Google’s software support. The latter includes seven years of Android and security updates, along with regular Pixel Drops, ensuring that Pixel users are among the first to receive the latest features.
