Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Pixel 10 Pro XL: All the differences explained
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Pixel 11 Pro XL on the left looks almost identical to Pixel 10 Pro XL on the right
The Pixel 11 Pro XL is finally official, and while it keeps the familiar design styling, there are a few cool improvements to durability and the camera over the Pixel 10 Pro XL.
The signature camera bar is now all glass and houses a new ambient light, which will delicately notify you about missed notifications while the phone is lying screen down. The new Tensor G6 brings 20% improvements in power efficiency and a big 50% leap in TPU compute power (that's all about the AI).
And if you like cameras, the big upgrade this year is a bigger telephoto sensor as well as nearly instant night photo capture. I also love the idea of the new Camera Looks, which can give your photos a more filmic look.
Sadly, the Pixel 11 Pro XL is yet another victim of the RAMageddon. The price for the base Pixel 11 Pro XL version is now $1,300, $100 more than last year, all while the base model now has less RAM (12GB now vs 16GB last year).
This comparison is based on official information from Google about the Pixel 11 Pro XL. I have not yet personally tested the new phone, so this is not a final review, but rather an early look. I will be updating this article with in-depth thoughts and analysis after I finish testing the Pixel 11 Pro XL around the end of August.
Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Pixel 10 Pro XL differences:
| Pixel 11 Pro XL | Pixel 10 Pro XL |
|---|---|
| 6.8-inch form factor | Roughly same size and weight |
| 2X better scratch resistance on the screen | Regular scratch resistance |
| Even brighter display reaching 3,600 nits | Already very bright screen reaching 3,000 nits |
| Tensor G6 chip with better power efficency and TPU compute | Tensor G5 chip |
| 12GB RAM in 256GB version, 16GB in 512GB model | 16GB RAM in all models |
| Three cameras NEW Main camera sensor NEW and larger 5X telephoto sensor | Three cameras: 50MP main + 48MP ultra-wide + 48MP 5X telephoto |
| HiLight custom colorful LED for notifications on the back | - |
| 5115mAh battery | 5200mAh battery |
| 45W wired charging 25W Qi 2.2 | 39W wired charging 25W Qi 2.2 wireless |
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
HiLight and scratch resistance are in
Image by Google
Flat shiny sides, a matte glass back and the camera bar. The fundamental look of the Pixel 11 Pro XL has not changed much, and neither has the size this year.
This is still a 6.8-inch big phone, almost the same size as the 10 Pro XL. There are tiny variations in the size, but just enough so that last year's cases probably won't fit on the new phone.
Of course, you also have new colors. The Pixel 11 Pro XL comes in Fog (the white-ish one), Obsidian (the black-ish one), and then you have Canyon and Olive. I think Google has really nailed the look and style of the Pixel the last couple of years, and the 11 Pro XL looks just as elegant as the 10 Pro XL.
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL |
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| 162.6 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm | 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (~12.5 mm with camera bump) |
| Weight | |
| 226.8 g | 232.0 g |
See the full
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 10 Pro XL specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
The one change I personally care about the most is the supposed 2X increase in scratch resistance. I suspect Google now uses a screen similar to what we have on the iPhone 17 series, and my experience with those devices shows that after a year of use, they have no scratches at all. You basically don't need to use a screen protector at all.
This is excellent progress, and while it will take time to see if the Pixel 11 Pro XL scratch-resistance is as good, that's promising.
Otherwise, you have a new HiLight thing on the back. It's a colorful light that will notify you about missed calls and will pulsate with Gemini as you interact with it. The idea is that you can just talk to Gemini without looking at the screen. Less screen time is a win, and I think that's a cool little feature. But if you ask me, I would have much preferred to see a couple of additional physical buttons that one could customize (yep, just like the Camera Control and Action button on iPhones).
Display Differences
Image by Google
With the same sized 6.8-inch "Super Actua" display with unchanged 1344 x 2992 pixel resolution and 1-120Hz variable refresh rate, the 11 Pro XL will feel familiar.
Google promises higher peak brightness, hitting 3,600 nits now vs 3,000 nits last year. The Pixel 10 Pro XL was already among the brightest ones we've ever tested, and this extra boost will be nice when you use the phone outdoors.
|
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL |
| Size | |
|---|---|
| 6.8-inch | 6.8-inch |
| Type | |
| OLED, 120Hz | OLED, 120Hz |
See the full
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 10 Pro XL specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
Biometrics are also unchanged: an ultrasonic fingerprint reader and the same Class 3 biometric security for face recognition (you can use it to sign in to your banking app and authorize digital payments).
Performance and Software
New Tensor in town, but less RAM
The recent RAM crunch results in the Pixel 11 Pro XL regressing, rather than progressing this year.
Yes, the new Tensor G6 chipset is faster, but the base model of the 11 Pro XL only comes with 12GB of RAM, down from 16GB RAM on the previous edition.
Tensor has always been a good chip for AI, but not great for general performance and frankly sub-par for gaming. It's better this year, but not fundamentally better (and it is still far from being great for gaming).
|
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL |
| System chip | |
|---|---|
| Google Tensor G6 (2 nm) | Google Tensor G5 (3 nm) |
| Memory | |
| 12GB (LPDDR5X)/256GB (UFS 3.1) 16GB/512GB 16GB/1TB | 16GB (LPDDR5X)/256GB (UFS 3.1) 16GB/512GB 16GB/1TB |
| OS | |
| Android (17), up to 7 OS updates | Android (16), up to 7 OS updates |
See the full
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 10 Pro XL specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
The best thing about buying a Pixel, in my view, is the software. The 11 Pro XL comes with Android 17 in its clean form with all the latest additions like the cool new Bubbles (and the new emoji too). Of course, the 10 Pro XL already runs on that latest version, it already got that update earlier, so we have parity in terms of software features.
Both phones come with 7 years of promised major software updates, and unlike other Android phones, you can also get those updates the moment Google releases them rather than waiting months for the phone maker to fine tune them for a custom UI.
Camera
Hooray for Camera Looks!
Image by Google
Listen, your typical review would focus most on the improved sensors and hardware of the Pixel 11 Pro XL. It's got a new main camera and a larger telephoto sensor, both great improvements. Plus, thanks to the newer chip and other optimizations, you now get instant night photography rather than having to wait for a few seconds for the capture.
But what camera enthusiasts like me really care about is the look of those photos. That's why Camera Looks is such an exciting new feature to have on the Pixel 11 Pro XL (no news whether it's coming to the 10 Pro XL later on).
Camera Looks basically give you film styles and colors rather than the generic "smartphone photo look". They are developed with Pixel’s Real Tone camera philosophy in mind, so that skin tones remain accurate even with the more extreme looks. The boom of "film look" camera apps on iPhones in recent years is something Google must have noticed, and this is their answer. You bet I will be testing this a ton after the release of the 11 Pro XL.
|
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL |
| Main camera | |
|---|---|
| 50 MP (OIS, PDAF) Aperture size: F1.7 Sensor size: 1/1.3" | 50 MP (OIS, PDAF) Sensor name: Samsung ISOCELL GNV Aperture size: F1.7 Focal length: 25 mm Sensor size: 1/1.3" Pixel size: 1.2 μm |
| Second camera | |
| 48 MP (Ultra-wide) Aperture size: F1.7 Sensor size: 1/2.51" |
48 MP (Ultra-wide) Sensor name: Sony IMX858 Aperture size: F1.7 Sensor size: 1/2.55" |
| Third camera | |
| 48 MP (Telephoto, Periscope) Optical zoom: 5.0x Aperture size: F2.8 Sensor size: 1/1.95" |
48 MP (Telephoto, OIS, PDAF) Sensor name: Sony IMX858 Optical zoom: 5.0x Aperture size: F2.8 Focal Length: 113 mm Sensor size: 1/2.55" |
| Front | |
| 42 MP (PDAF) | 42 MP |
See the full
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 10 Pro XL specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
For video, there are a few exciting changes too. First, overall quality improves a great deal this year thanks to better processing.
But also a new Magic Capture feature automatically extracts the coolest moment from a video you recorded into photo snaps. Again, this is an idea that sounds so cool on paper, but you have to live with it to see if it's actually useful.
- Folder organization: Place videos into projects for easy editing and organizing.
- Teleprompter: Get your script ready and just add it to Teleprompter.
- Audio visualizer: On-screen audio visualizer to monitor your audio levels in real-time.
- Creator gridlines: See a guide with the exact aspect ratio of social media platforms such as TikTok and IG reels.
- Improved Speech Enhancement: This tool reduces side noise like wind, traffic and crowds so that your voice can stand out.
Battery Life and Charging
Not much new
Image by Google
With a 5,115mAh battery on board, the Pixel 11 Pro XL can't impress anyone. These days, flagships out of China flaunt 7,000mAh silicon-carbon batteries, a massive difference.
Still, Google official estimates say all Pixel 11 models last 30+ hours.
|
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL |
| Type | |
|---|---|
| 5115 mAh | 5200 mAh |
| Charge speed | |
| Wired: 45.0W Wireless: 25.0W | Wired: 45.0W Wireless: 25.0W |
See the full
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 10 Pro XL specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
Charging is a bit faster now. Google recommends a 45W charger, and you should get a roughly 75% top-up in 30 minutes. We tested the Pixel 10 Pro XL wired charging last year and got 63% back in 30 minutes, so that would be a noticeable improvement.
Wireless charging speeds have improved slightly, even though the official spec is rated as 25W Qi2.2 on both the 11 Pro XL and 10 Pro XL.
Pixel remains one of few, if not the only, Android phone series with integrated magnets in the body of the phone, which is a really nice touch.
Specs Comparison
And here is an overview of the Pixel 11 Pro XL vs 10 Pro XL specs.
|
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL |
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| 162.6 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm | 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (~12.5 mm with camera bump) |
| Weight | |
| 226.8 g | 232.0 g |
| Size | |
|---|---|
| 6.8-inch | 6.8-inch |
| Type | |
| OLED, 120Hz | OLED, 120Hz |
| System chip | |
|---|---|
| Google Tensor G6 (2 nm) | Google Tensor G5 (3 nm) |
| Memory | |
| 12GB (LPDDR5X)/256GB (UFS 3.1) 16GB/512GB 16GB/1TB | 16GB (LPDDR5X)/256GB (UFS 3.1) 16GB/512GB 16GB/1TB |
| OS | |
| Android (17), up to 7 OS updates | Android (16), up to 7 OS updates |
| Type | |
|---|---|
| 5115 mAh | 5200 mAh |
| Charge speed | |
| Wired: 45.0W Wireless: 25.0W | Wired: 45.0W Wireless: 25.0W |
| Main camera | |
|---|---|
| 50 MP (OIS, PDAF) Aperture size: F1.7 Sensor size: 1/1.3" | 50 MP (OIS, PDAF) Sensor name: Samsung ISOCELL GNV Aperture size: F1.7 Focal length: 25 mm Sensor size: 1/1.3" Pixel size: 1.2 μm |
| Second camera | |
| 48 MP (Ultra-wide) Aperture size: F1.7 Sensor size: 1/2.51" |
48 MP (Ultra-wide) Sensor name: Sony IMX858 Aperture size: F1.7 Sensor size: 1/2.55" |
| Third camera | |
| 48 MP (Telephoto, Periscope) Optical zoom: 5.0x Aperture size: F2.8 Sensor size: 1/1.95" |
48 MP (Telephoto, OIS, PDAF) Sensor name: Sony IMX858 Optical zoom: 5.0x Aperture size: F2.8 Focal Length: 113 mm Sensor size: 1/2.55" |
| Front | |
| 42 MP (PDAF) | 42 MP |
See the full
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 10 Pro XL specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
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