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Google's Pixel 11 series replaces the Samsung-made Exynos modem used in earlier Pixels with a new MediaTek modem, paired with the Tensor G6 chip, which remains a 3nm design rather than the rumored 2nm jump. Early testing shows the new modem delivers faster download speeds and holds 5G connections better in weak-signal areas compared to the Pixel 10 Pro and older Pixel 9 hardware.
Google has quietly updated its developer documentation to reveal that just seven Android phones currently support Gemini Nano 4: the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 8, Z Fold 8, and Z Fold 8 Ultra. These are the only devices officially equipped to run Google's latest on-device Gemini Intelligence features.
Google's Pixel 11 Pro XL nearly hits its advertised 45W wired charging speed, peaking at 40.7W, but only when paired with a specific USB-C charger supporting 21V at 2A under the USB PD PPS protocol. Common PPS chargers limited to 11V, including some rated up to 67W, only delivered around 25W in testing, and even with the ideal charger the phone still takes about 21 minutes to reach 50% charge.
Google Pixel 11 owners are reporting that Immersive Navigation, Google Maps' 3D route-view feature, disappears after upgrading from older Pixel or Android devices, both on the phone and through Android Auto. Because the feature was rolled out server-side rather than through an app update, affected users cannot restore it themselves through settings or reinstalling the app.
Multiple Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro XL users say their videos contain repeated bursts of static noise, appearing roughly every five seconds when Video Boost is active. The glitch seems tied to the Audio Zoom feature, and some affected users say clearing the camera app's cache and turning off Audio Zoom stops the noise. Google has not yet issued an official response to the reports.
Pixel 10 owners attempting to trade in their phones for the new Pixel 11 on the Google Store are reporting broken trade-in workflows, according to complaints on Reddit's Pixel community. Users describe receiving conflicting confirmations about whether their trade-in was accepted, only to have their cards charged the full price anyway, with Google reportedly unable to retroactively apply the promised credit.
An Android Authority writer asked ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude to name the best Google Pixel phone for most buyers in 2026, factoring in the newly released Pixel 11 lineup. The three AI models gave conflicting recommendations, with ChatGPT notably sticking with the older Pixel 10 rather than favoring Google's latest flagship.
Google has replaced the Exynos modem used in previous Pixel phones with a MediaTek modem in the Pixel 11 series, promising better reliability, speed, and power efficiency. Android Authority ran side-by-side signal and performance tests comparing the Pixel 11 Pro against last year's Pixel 10 Pro using identical SIM cards and network conditions to verify these claims.
Multiple Pixel users are reporting on Reddit that apps like Google Photos, Spotify, and CapCut are randomly crashing or refusing to stay open, while music apps skip tracks. Reports span devices including the Pixel 9 and Pixel 11, suggesting the issue isn't limited to newer hardware. One user says joining Google's System Services beta and updating resolved the crashes on their device.
Google has launched Gemini 3.5 Transcribe, a new voice-to-text AI model that automatically strips out filler words and stumbles to produce cleaner transcriptions. Already running Gboard's Rambler feature on the Pixel 11, the model is set to expand across Google's products. Google says it is roughly 70 percent faster than its predecessor, Chirp 3, and slightly more accurate, with a live-speech error rate of 5.5 percent versus 7.32 percent.
Google unveiled Gemini 3.5 Transcribe, a new speech-to-text AI model that detects over 85 languages, strips filler words, and reformats casual speech into clean, structured text. It can also learn custom vocabulary, capture alphanumeric strings like order numbers, and assign dialogue to up to three speakers with timestamps from recorded audio.
ZDNET's review of the Google Pixel 11 finds the base model to be the standout among this year's four Pixel phones, despite few hardware changes beyond a new Hibiscus pink color option. The device retains a 6.3-inch AMOLED display and symmetrical design, but Google has slimmed the rear camera bar to nearly half its previous size, making the phone easier to use with a case and comfortable to hold without one.