Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold in the test Can a little bling be Google's killer feature?
The new Pixel smartphones are both upgrades and downgrades, and are also more expensive than their predecessors. A function called HiLight is marketed as a highlight. Is it worth buying the new models for this?
By Matthias Kremp
It seems a little desperate when a big tech company uses a flashing light to differentiate its “Pro” smartphones from the standard models. But with the new models in the Pixel 11 series, Google is doing exactly that. The Pixel 11 Pro, the Pixel 11 Pro XL and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold have an LED light that can be lit in one of five colors when certain contacts call or send messages. When you talk to the Gemini AI, it displays a blue and white color scheme.
But that's it with the capabilities of the little lamp. Otherwise it only serves as a photo light and flashlight; on the Pixel 11 (without “Pro”) these are its only functions.
I don't understand why this function called HiLight should be a highlight. Many smartphones, including iPhones, have been able to flash the flash for a long time when they want to communicate something. The only new thing is that Google now enables this in color and has brought the corresponding function from the accessibility features into the system settings.
Less RAM for more euros
What is really new, however, is that the new Pixel smartphones have become more expensive across the board. The starting prices are now 999 euros for the Pixel, 1199 euros for the Pixel 11 Pro and 1999 euros for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. These are 100 euros more than the starting prices of the predecessors a year ago. But you can also feel the memory crisis here, the so-called “RAMageddon”. The minimum storage capacity was increased from 128 to 256 gigabytes (GB), but at the same time the RAM of the basic models was partially reduced compared to its predecessors. The basic versions of the Pro models now come with only 12 GB of RAM, like the Pixel 11. Only the variants with 512 GB and 1 terabyte (TB) of storage space are equipped with 16 GB. An exception is the Pro Fold, which continues to have 16 GB in all variants.
In everyday life, this shouldn't play a big role for many users, at least for the time being. In any case, no significant differences were noticeable in the test with a Pixel 11 Pro XL, a Pixel 11 Pro Fold and a Pixel 11. Since it was not possible to install benchmark apps on the test devices provided by Google, we cannot substantiate the differences with numerical values.
However, one can assume that the new devices have become faster overall than their predecessors. According to Google, the new Tensor G6 chip, which is in all models, is optimized to make AI models work faster and to process photos faster.
Not more pixels, but bigger ones
It is fitting that Google has improved some of the cameras in the devices. For example, the main camera of the Pixel 11 and the telephoto camera of the 11 Pro models are equipped with larger sensors. While the number of pixels remains the same, the sensor pixels become larger, which increases light sensitivity and enables more detailed recordings in the dark and quick snapshots in sunlight. The Pro XL cameras in particular cut a good figure in the test.
If you like, you can get help from Google's well-known camera coach when taking photos. However, it requires patience. First he analyzes the motif, then he develops several suggestions and once you have selected one of them, he still has to create the steps necessary for the desired result, which you then have to work through. It's not good for snapshots. The “magic recording” is more suitable for this. In this mode, a video is recorded from which Google's AI extracts what it thinks are the best still images as photos. Whether the results of this quick-fire function keep what Google promises is a matter of luck. After all, you can extract your own photos from the video recording as you wish.
What the “Super Zoom” and “Pro Zoom” functions produce is also a matter of luck. This is what Google calls the possibility of digitally zooming in on image sections beyond the capabilities of optical zoom. The AI basically simulates a telephoto lens that is stronger than the built-in fivefold lenses. On the Pixel 11 and 11 Pro Fold, this AI zoom is limited to 30x magnification; on the Pro variants you can go up to 120x magnification. The results often look impressively good, especially with clear geometric figures, such as machines. However, when writing comes into the picture, it becomes clear how creatively Google's AI interprets reality.
The wrinkle is still there
A special case in the Pixel portfolio is the foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold. It is a touch thinner and almost 20 grams lighter than its predecessor. This is possible, among other things, because the back is not made of glass, but rather of a light fiberglass composite material (often also referred to as carbon). This also has the advantage that it does not break if the device is dropped. It would have been a good idea to include this in the non-foldable models too. Compared to many other foldables, such as those from Samsung, the Pixel also stands out with its IP68 certification. Unlike the Galaxy Z Fold8, it is protected against dust and water, so you can use it on the beach and by the pool without fear.
Unlike the Fold8, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold maintains a portrait format. This is great for email, web surfing and text typing, but I would prefer the Fold8's wide format for watching videos. Above all, I would prefer Samsung's almost crease-free display. With the Pixel, you can still clearly see the crease where the screen is folded, at least when the screen content is dark.
A lot of AI, but not all
In addition to the hardware, the Pixel smartphones are again motherships for Google's new AI functions. In addition to the Gemini chatbot, the Nano Banana image generator and the Omni video generator, the devices run dozens of other AI features that are often only discovered at the third or fourth glance. For the time being, users in Germany have to do without proactive assistance functions, which are intended to make suggestions for action based on location information and the apps used. They can be used by users with accounts in the USA and Canada, among others. You still have to wait in this country for Google's AI, which can independently call a taxi or make a reservation in a restaurant from the Pixel 11.
What you don't have to do without are faster charging functions. All Pixel 11 models can be charged wirelessly using Qi2 technology with up to 25 watts. Because they also have Google's "Pixelsnap" magnets, they stick magnetically to corresponding chargers. This also includes everyone who has Apple's identical MagSafe. In the test, all three test devices lasted more than a day under normal use before they had to be recharged with electricity. However, realistic measurements are not possible in the short test period, so the values can deviate upwards or downwards in everyday life.
Conclusion
The Pixel 11 series shows once again where Google can shine and where the company has some catching up to do. The new smartphones are good in many areas, very good in some and top-class in terms of AI functions. It's hard to imagine how good photos could be if the camera were a bit better and the AI post-processing of the photos was a little less intensive.
Strengths and weaknesses are also evident in the design. The wide camera bars of the Pixel 11 and 11 Pro/XL were always a good idea, but on the Pixel 11 the bar is now pleasingly minimal. But why are the Pro Fold's cameras in a square hump that makes the device wobble on the tabletop when typing? And why don't all models have a robust and lightweight fiberglass composite back? This would go just as well with matt colors like obsidian as it would with the olive green of our test foldable.
As is often the case, the Pixel devices are the best choice if you want to make sure you always get the latest Android features that Google releases with its regular “Pixel Drops”. Google promises to provide the Pixel 11 series with such drops, operating system updates and security updates for seven years. This is exemplary and can potentially make the devices long-running devices that will not quickly disappear into drawers unused or be exposed to new security gaps without protection.
