Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Pixel 9 Pro XL: All the differences explained
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase from the links on this page.
Pixel 11 Pro XL keeps the overall styling of the 9 Pro XL
The Pixel 11 Pro XL wasn't much of a secret in the past few weeks after so many leaks, but it is finally official, and... it looks a lot like the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
The 9 Pro XL started a new design language for the series with flat sides and a more modern look. The 11 Pro XL keeps that, but tweaks the camera bar which is now all glass and features the cool new HiLight, a colorful LED array that will notify you about missed notifications while the phone is lying screen down.
The 11 Pro XL also has a new Tensor G6 chip with up to 20% improvements in power efficiency and a big 50% jump in TPU compute power.
Most of the changes seem centered around the cameras, though. The main camera gets a new sensor and the 5X telephoto is upgraded to capture more light than before. Google also finally introduces different, filmic photo styles with Camera Looks.
Sadly, the Pixel 11 Pro XL is also more expensive now (thank AI and its appetite for RAM for that). The price for the base Pixel 11 Pro XL version is now $1,300, $100 more than last year.
This comparison is based on official information from Google about the Pixel 11 Pro XL. I have not yet personally tested the 11 Pro XL, so this is by no means a conclusive comparison, but rather an early look. I will be updating this with in-depth thoughts, benchmarks, sample photos and more after I finish testing the Pixel 11 Pro XL around the end of August.
Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Pixel 9 Pro XL differences:
| Pixel 11 Pro XL | Pixel 9 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 G4 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 | 5060mAh battery |
| 45W wired charging 25W Qi 2.2 | 37W wired charging 23W regular wireless |
Table of Contents:
Design and Size
HiLight and better scratch resistance
Image by Google
The 9 Pro XL was the first Pixel with flat sides and that modern look that all phones seem to adopt these days.
Despite two years passing, the 11 Pro XL has not change much.
The form factor is the same and so is the 6.8-inch screen size. There are tiny fluctuations in the size, just enough for buyers to also have to purchase new cases.
Pixel 11 Pro official colors | Images by Google
Of course, there are new colors too. The Pixel 11 Pro XL comes in Fog (the white-ish one), Obsidian (kind of black), and then Canyon and Olive.
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL |
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| 162.6 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm | 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (~12 mm with camera bump) |
| Weight | |
| 226.8 g | 221.0 g |
See the full
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
The most exciting change for me is to durability. I'm not talking about the dust and water resistance (that's still IP68 on both phones), but rather the quoted 2X increase in scratch resistance of the screen.
I guess Google now uses similar screen tech to the iPhone 17 series, and my experience with those devices shows that after a year of use, they have miraculously survived with no scratches at all. If that's also the case on the new Pixel, it means you no longer need to buy a screen protector at all.
Image by Google
The other big feature is the so called HiLight, a colorful LED that lives inside the camera bar. It notifies you about missed calls and will pulsate with Gemini as you interact with the voice assistant. Besides looking plain cool, the obvious benefit is it makes easier to talk to Gemini without looking at the screen.
I'm all in for reducing our screen time, so I like this little touch. But it's exactly that — a small detail in the grand scheme of things.
Display Differences
Image by Google
The 11 Pro XL has the same sized 6.8-inch "Super Actua" display as the 9 XL with unchanged 1344 x 2992 pixel resolution and 1-120Hz variable refresh rate.
Google says you get higher peak brightness at 3,600 nits now vs 2,000 nits on the 9 Pro XL. This is a welcome change that will result in much easier outdoor use.
|
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Google Pixel 9 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 9 Pro XL specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
Both the 11 Pro XL and 9 Pro XL use what looks like the same ultrasonic fingerprint reader. Both also have Class 3 biometric security face recognition, meaning that you can use your face to sign in to your banking app and/or authorize digital payments. Considering many other Android flagships don't have such high-level face recognition, that's a proper advantage of Pixels.
Performance and Software
New Tensor in town, but less RAM
The recent RAM squeeze means the Pixel 11 Pro XL has regressed this year.
While the new Tensor G6 chipset is faster and more power efficient, the base model 11 Pro XL only features 12GB of RAM, down from 16GB RAM on the previous edition.
Tensor is now also manufactured by TSMC, so it is not only newer but more reliable. This chip has never been a gaming powerhouse, and it still loses out to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in general performance and especially in gaming. Well, at least it's fast for on-device AI stuff.
|
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL |
| System chip | |
|---|---|
| Google Tensor G6 (2 nm) | Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) |
| Memory | |
| 12GB (LPDDR5X)/256GB (UFS 3.1) 16GB/512GB 16GB/1TB |
16GB (LPDDR5X)/128GB (UFS 3.1) 16GB/256GB 16GB/512GB 16GB/1024GB |
| OS | |
| Android (17), up to 7 OS updates | Android (15, 14) |
See the full
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
The 11 Pro XL sports the latest Android 17 in a clean form with all the latest additions including the Bubbles feature and you also have the new emoji. Of course, that same version is already on the 9 Pro XL, so it's not like one phone has an advantage here.
Both phones also support 7 years of software updates. Remember that Pixel phones receive these phones immediately after Google releases them, unlike other Android phones where you need to wait for weeks and sometimes months to get a promised update.
Camera
Upgraded hardware and new Camera Looks
Image by Google
The 11 Pro XL brings a new main camera sensor, as well as a larger sensor for the 5X telephoto camera, so the only camera not undergoing major changes is the ultrawide one.
These changes are welcome, but what camera enthusiasts will care about the most just might be Camera Looks (it's not clear whether this is coming to the 9 Pro XL).
Camera Looks is the option to pick a different color style for your pictures. These looks are inspired by film and lack the artificial sharpness of the default processing.
Google must have noticed the boom of "film look" camera apps on iPhones recently, and this is their answer. I can't wait to test this in more detail soon.
|
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Google Pixel 9 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 GN1 Aperture size: F1.7 Sensor size: 1/1.31" 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) 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 9 Pro XL specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
Video quality improves first because of improved processing, but you also have a new Magic Capture feature that automatically grabs the coolest moments from a video you recorded and turns them into photo snaps. I love the idea in theory, but only real-world use will show whether people actually use it.
- 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
Conservative
Image by Google
While Google notices the trends in cameras and reacts to them, it seems that the news of silicon-carbon batteries have not yet reached the company.
With a 5,115mAh battery, the Pixel 11 Pro XL does not impress. Compare this size to flagships out of China with 7,000mAh silicon-carbon batteries, a massive difference.
Still, Google estimates that all Pixel 11 models will last 30+ hours, which is respectable.
Confused? Wait for our in-house battery testing to see how these claims actually hold up on the final device.
|
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL |
| Type | |
|---|---|
| 5115 mAh | 5060 mAh |
| Charge speed | |
| Wired: 45.0W Wireless: 25.0W |
Wired: 37.0W Wireless: 23.0W |
See the full
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
Charging is a tiny bit faster on the 11 Pro XL. Google recommends using a 45W charger which gives you 75% top-up in about 30 minutes. Last year, we got 63% top-up in 30 minutes of charging the Pixel 10 Pro XL, so that would be an improvement.
You now also have Qi2.2 magnetic wireless charging on the new Pixel, so both speed and convenience have improved.
Specs Comparison
And here is an overview of the Pixel 11 Pro XL vs 9 Pro XL specs.
|
|
|
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL |
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| 162.6 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm | 162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (~12 mm with camera bump) |
| Weight | |
| 226.8 g | 221.0 g |
| Size | |
|---|---|
| 6.8-inch | 6.8-inch |
| Type | |
| OLED, 120Hz | OLED, 120Hz |
| System chip | |
|---|---|
| Google Tensor G6 (2 nm) | Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) |
| Memory | |
| 12GB (LPDDR5X)/256GB (UFS 3.1) 16GB/512GB 16GB/1TB |
16GB (LPDDR5X)/128GB (UFS 3.1) 16GB/256GB 16GB/512GB 16GB/1024GB |
| OS | |
| Android (17), up to 7 OS updates | Android (15, 14) |
| Type | |
|---|---|
| 5115 mAh | 5060 mAh |
| Charge speed | |
| Wired: 45.0W Wireless: 25.0W |
Wired: 37.0W Wireless: 23.0W |
| Main camera | |
|---|---|
| 50 MP (OIS, PDAF) Aperture size: F1.7 Sensor size: 1/1.3" |
50 MP (OIS, PDAF) Sensor name: Samsung ISOCELL GN1 Aperture size: F1.7 Sensor size: 1/1.31" 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) 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 9 Pro XL specs comparison
or compare them to other phones using our
Phone Comparison tool
Popular stories
Related Content
Latest News
Things that are NOT allowed:
To help keep our community safe and free from spam, we apply temporary limits to newly created accounts: