Google somehow made the Pixel 11 Pro worse than the Pixel 10 in one key area

You would really not want to drop your Pixel 11 Pro, even by mistake.

Pixel 11 Pro camera module.
Pixel 11 Pro | Image by Google
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After a series of leaks and official teasers, Google has officially launched the Pixel 11 lineup, featuring four models: the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The European Product Registry for Energy Labelling (EPREL) has also shared the energy efficiency, durability, and repairability ratings of all these variants. The report reveals a surprising insight about the Pixel 11 Pro.

Pixel 11 family durability grades


Before anything else, it's important to understand that EPREL tests are very different from the dramatic durability tests, like dropping a phone on concrete, that you see creators perform on online platforms. The main goal of an EPREL test is simply to find out how many free-fall drops a product can survive before sustaining serious damage. Smartphones are given a rating from A to E, with A being the most durable and E the least.

That said, all the Pixel 11 phones except the Pro model have received an A rating in the EPREL durability test. The Pixel 11 Pro scored a B, as it was reportedly able to survive 180 free falls before experiencing damage. The base and XL models lasted for 270 falls; the foldable survived 210 free falls.



Interestingly, all the Pixel 10 series devices were able to score an A-class rating. That basically means that the Pro option from Google this year appears to have taken a step backward in standardized drop durability, if you go by the EPREL rating.

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Other EPREL results of the Pixel 11 line


In addition to durability, the EPREL test also provides repairability and efficiency ratings. All four phones in the latest Pixel 11 family have scored B in both of these tests.

EPREL has also shared the runtime of all the new Google smartphones' batteries. The 4,840 mAh battery in the vanilla variant reportedly lasts up to 48 hours and 50 minutes. The 4,707 mAh cell in the Pro model lasts up to 47 hours and 36 minutes.

It's interesting to learn that the numbers on the $1,099 handset are lower than what you get in its younger sibling, which is priced at $899. What's even more surprising is that the costliest Pixel 11 phone, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, came last in the ratings, with its 4,658 mAh battery reportedly lasting for only 45 hours and 5 minutes.

According to the published details, the XL variant wins the battle thanks to its 5,000 mAh cell, which lasted for 50 hours and 10 minutes. It's worth noting that all these figures represent rated battery capacities and standardized endurance measurements, and they are not equivalent to the battery life these devices will deliver in everyday use. We'll certainly share details about this very soon in our review of these new Google phones. So, stay tuned for that.

What does the EPREL durability test mean to the end user?


I have dropped my Pixel 10 many times, but luckily it hasn't experienced any major damage, comfortably justifying its A rating in EPREL tests. Scoring a B on the test definitely doesn't mean that the Pixel 11 Pro would sustain very serious damage from just a single fall.

It's just that if you drop the Pixel 10, the Pixel 11, or the Pixel 11 Pro multiple times, you might notice that the Pro phone could develop damage before the other two. The B rating is simply a good indicator that you should use the phone with a case to ensure it can easily survive accidental falls.

Grab the latest Pixel right away


If you set the durability factor aside, the Pixel 11 Pro seems like a decent product from Google. It comes with the latest Tensor G6 chipset, HiLight, and a few other interesting upgrades. It is available for pre-order right now, and its sales will begin on 20 August. 

However, if you think that the phone is a bit overpriced, you can get its predecessor, which is available at $300 off its launch price.

Do you want to learn more about the latest Pixel phones? Check the following stories:
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