Google Pixel 11 Pro's gaming performance lags despite strong display, price rises
Google's Pixel 11 Pro retains the vivid, bright screen praised in its predecessor, but review testing found it throttles and shows overheating and battery-drain warnings when graphics settings are pushed above minimum levels. Google also dropped the 128GB storage tier across the lineup, meaning the cheapest configuration now starts at $1,099 for 256GB, with only 12GB of RAM at that entry level. Google attributed the higher storage and pricing to an AI-driven RAM shortage raising component costs industrywide.
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For mobile gamers, storage limits and constrained RAM matter because modern titles like Genshin Impact can consume tens of gigabytes, and reduced memory can worsen the thermal and performance issues already reported. The pricing shift also signals how AI-driven component shortages are quietly pushing up costs for everyday consumer devices, not just enterprise hardware.
- Pixel 11 Pro still has a top-tier display but underperforms in demanding games compared to rivals like the Galaxy S26.
- Google removed the 128GB storage tier, raising the effective entry price to $1,099 with only 12GB RAM.
- Google cites an AI-driven RAM shortage as the reason for the price and storage changes across its lineup.
Razer Kishi Ultra Mobile Gaming Controller — If you're gaming on a big-screen phone like the Pixel 11 Pro, a proper controller beats sweaty touchscreen thumbs every time. The Kishi Ultra clamps around your USB-C phone with full-size sticks and triggers, so you get console-style control for mobile and cloud streaming sessions on the go.
See Razer Kishi Ultra Mobile Gaming Controller on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — David Lumb, 2026-08-26
Published there as: “The Google Pixel 11 Pro Still Has the Best Display for Gaming, but Other Troubles Emerge”
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