GoKawiilGoogle just unveiled its latest lineup of Pixel phones, including the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. If you’re looking for the model with a bigger screen, consider the Pro XL, which now starts at $1,299 for the 256GB storage configuration.
The Pro XL model has always been Google’s big-screen, big-battery flagship and typically features the company’s latest developments in screen technology, performance and camera quality. That holds true this year, with the Pixel 11 Pro XL fielding its brightest display yet (up to 3,600 nits), a more AI-optimized Tensor G6 chipset and a new camera system that can capture up to 120x distances with Super Res Zoom. There’s plenty of flashy AI tricks to go around, too.
The Google Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL. Andrew Lanxon/CNET
If many of those aspects remind you of another big-sized phone, then that makes two of us.
The Pixel 11 Pro XL competes closely with Apple’s $1,199 iPhone 17 Pro Max, which continues to hold up as the best premium iPhone on the market. While Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 series as early as September, the current model remains a formidable option for those planning to upgrade today.
And if you’re now split between the new Pixel 11 Pro XL and the iPhone 17 Pro Max, here’s a breakdown of how the two flagships compare across key categories.
Pixel 11 Pro XL vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Design and display
On the surface, the two phones are built rather similarly, with a combination of recycled plastics, metals and aluminum surrounding the displays, cameras and internal components. The iPhone has a slightly larger 6.9-inch OLED display compared with the Pixel’s 6.8-inch OLED, but you likely won’t notice the difference.
Where things begin to separate is with the screen brightness, at least on paper. The new Pixel 11 Pro XL is rated for 3,600 nits of peak brightness, making it one of the brightest phones you can buy. By comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max peaks at 3,000 nits. We’ll have to see if the difference in numbers translates into real-world advantages, such as the legibility of text and pictures outdoors. Stay tuned.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes in a bright, bold orange color. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET
... continue reading