The Pixel 11 Pro XL Has Main Character Energy Despite a $100 Price Hike

Google’s new Pixel 11 Pro flagship phones have a lot to offer, so I put them to the test in France.

If you were hoping for a fully transformed Pixel 11 Pro, then prepare to be disappointed. Google’s latest flagship Android phone stays close to its predecessors, adding a variety of upgrades across the board — including a new home-made Tensor G6 processor, some new camera tricks and a glorious new peachy color. I’ve had my hands on the phone for the better part of a day, and while it’s not a revolution, it’s certainly one of the most accomplished phones Google has made.

And while I was expecting a significant price bump due to the ongoing components shortage, Google technically made its base model cheaper and more expensive. It depends on where you live.

Pixel Pro series pricing

Model + storage Storage RAM US UK Pixel 10 Pro 128GB 16GB $999 £999 Pixel 10 Pro 256GB 16GB $1,099 £1,099 Pixel 11 Pro 256GB 12GB $1,099 £1,079 Pixel 10 Pro XL 256GB 16GB $1,199 £1,199 Pixel 11 Pro XL 256GB 12GB $1,199 £1,279

Google eliminated the $999 128GB storage option from its Pro lineup, making the $1,099 Pixel 11 Pro with 256GB of storage the new barrier for entry. If you’re lucky enough to live in the UK, like me, 256GB of storage is now marginally more affordable with the Pixel 11 Pro starting at £1,079, £20 less than the 256GB Pixel 10 Pro. The Pixel 11 Pro XL is more expensive, starting at $1,299 in the US and £1,279, a $100 and £80 price increase, respectively, over the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Gotta love that peachy tone. Andrew Lanxon/CNET

I was honestly expecting much worse. But RAM is another matter: All Pixel 11 Pro models start with 12GB of memory, compared to the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL, which had 16GB. So while those UK prices might seem positive, it’s important to keep in mind that the starting RAM has dropped from 16GB to 12GB. If you want more, it’ll cost you. The Pixel 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL variants with 512GB and 1TB of storage come with 16GB of RAM.

But with seven years of software and security updates, the phones will still be good to use until at least 2033, as long as you look after them. The longer you keep using your phone, the more value you squeeze out of it.

As in previous generations, the only difference between the 6.3-inch Pixel 11 Pro and 6.8-inch 11 Pro XL is the screen size and a slightly bigger battery.

... continue reading