Pixel 11 models tested and ranked

If you want the best Google Pixel phone around right now, the Pixel 11 Pro is the one to beat. It isn’t going to win any prizes for gaming, but the camera work and AI toolkit are strong enough to more than compensate for that shortcoming.

Around the back you get a triple-camera setup consisting of a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultrawide and a 48MP telephoto. Google has reworked the image pipeline with a new ISP baked into the Tensor G6 chipset, alongside a suite of software tweaks.

Then there’s what Google has done with Gemini. Magic Capture can fire off photos and video automatically when it spots a moment worth grabbing, and a teleprompter feature overlays text on the screen for you to read while you’re recording. It’s the kind of feature that sounds like a gimmick, but it’s really not.

All of this runs on the Tensor G6, a chip Google has clearly tuned for AI workloads rather than raw processing grunt. It comes with a beefier TPU, and Gemini Nano runs noticeably quicker on-device as a result. As with previous Tensor chips, the GPU is where things fall down, and demanding games will stutter under sustained load with the phone running noticeably warm in the process.

Away from gaming, there’s a lot to love here, and this is particularly true for iPhone users considering a switch to Android. If you want a more compact flagship and are happy with the trade-offs that come with it, the Pixel 11 Pro is worth a close look.

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The Pixel 11 Pro XL is the most expensive non-folding Pixel Google has ever made, starting at £1279/$1299, so the question of whether it earns that premium is a fair one. The short answer is that it mostly does, and for those already deep into the Google ecosystem, it’s a compelling package.

The biggest story here is Gemini. Google’s AI platform is more deeply embedded in the software than it has ever been before, changing how you interact with the phone at every level. It fields questions directly from the home screen and powers the new Rambler voice-to-text feature. It’s worth noting that some of the more advanced Gemini features are US-only, but even with those caveats, this feels like a step forward for AI on a Pixel handset.

Photography remains Google’s strongest suit, and the Pixel 11 Pro XL keeps the same triple-camera configuration as its predecessor: a 50MP main sensor alongside a 48MP ultrawide and a 48MP 5x telephoto. The combination delivers sharp, punchy images regardless of whether you’re shooting in bright midday sun or low-light conditions, and it continues Google’s strong track record when it comes to accurate skin tones and reliable point-and-shoot results.

The 6.8-inch OLED display is another highlight, hitting 3600 nits at peak brightness, which makes it a great screen for streaming.

Where things get more complicated is the Tensor G6 chipset. It handles AI tasks brilliantly and breezes through everyday use, but it can’t match the raw performance of the Qualcomm and MediaTek processors found in rival flagships at this price. Serious mobile gamers will likely find it wanting.

Strip away the premium asking price and the GPU limitations, and the Pixel 11 Pro XL still delivers on everything that makes a Pixel worth buying: clean stock Android and a build that feels suitably premium.

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It’s no secret that Google’s range of foldable phones didn’t have the smoothest start, particularly as it entered a space largely dominated by Samsung and with plenty of great alternatives available from the likes of Honor, but the Pixel 10 Pro Fold now feels like the phone that Google always wanted to make. For all the foldable fans out there, this is a great option to consider in 2026.

The main thing that separates the 10 Pro Fold from the competition is its unparalleled durability. We’re talking full IP68 dust and water resistance which, for a form factor that has always had an underlying element of concern regarding long-term durability, is a big win. There’ll be no need for a minor panic attack if you spill a drink over the 10 Pro Fold as you can just dry it off and get straight back to using it.

Unlike other brands, Google has doubled down on its more squat build for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and what this means is that you have a foldable phone that fits quite comfortably in one hand. The smaller 6.4-inch external display is perfect for just whipping out of a pocket and quickly interacting with apps like Spotify or WhatsApp, without needing to break out the larger display.

However, with an almost square-like eight-inch display inside, the 10 Pro Fold is perfect for a bit of productivity and multitasking on the go. For instance, when doing a spot of research and writing, you can have Google Docs open on one side and Google Chrome open on the other, and it all works brilliantly. The fact that it all runs on the clean aesthetic of stock Android is even better.

At the time of its release, the 10 Pro Fold is also the only foldable phone of any kind that features magnetic Qi2 charging. Branded by Google as Pixelsnap, this helpful concept lets you attach the 10 Pro Fold to MagSage-compatible accessories such as wireless power banks or phone holders in your car. All of this makes the 10 Pro Fold far more versatile than the competition, and especially helpful for a quick battery top-up without having to bring cumbersome cables with you.

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The Google Pixel 11 finds itself at a crossroads. For years, the standard Pixel was the most sensible way to buy into the lineup, sitting at a friendlier price point than its Pro siblings. That’s shifted with the Pixel 11, which now starts at £879, with 256GB of storage set as the new baseline in a clear attempt to soften the increase.

What saves it is the software. Google’s take on Android remains the best version of it going: clean, playful, easy to live with and customisable.

The Tensor G6 chip reinforces that by turning the Pixel 11 into one of the most AI-forward handsets you can buy right now. Gemini writes your replies, summarises your emails and threads itself through pretty much every corner of Google’s apps.

The display is a treat, too. A 120Hz OLED panel that doesn’t quite match the Pro on paper still looks bright, punchy and honestly great for daily scrolling and catching up on content.

Combine that with the 5x telephoto lens and Google’s computational photography skills and you have a strong case for the Pixel 11 being the most point-and-shoot friendly camera phone on this list right now.

There are caveats worth knowing about. The headline AI features are still locked to specific regions, so depending on where you are, some of those Gemini-powered tricks may not be accessible.

Raw performance also trails what Samsung and Apple are putting out at the top end by a decent margin, which is worth keeping in mind if intensive gaming is a priority. But if clean software and a genuinely capable camera are what you’re after, the Pixel 11 still has a strong argument to make.

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If your first thought when laying eyes on the Pixel 10a is that it looks almost identical to the previous-gen Pixel 9a then don’t worry, you’re no alone. As far as upgrades go, the Pixel 10a is far more iterative than what we’ve seen from Google’s mid-range handset, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty to love about it.

For starters, in what is sure to be a boon to anyone who’s tired of having their smartphone cameras bulging from their pockets, Google has done away with having a camera bump completely. Instead, the two rear-facing cameras now sit flush within the device itself to create a completely smooth backing that just feels great in the hand.

The display has also been given an upgrade here, reaching a new peak brightness of 3000 nits, which makes the phone a lot easier to use outdoors. You won’t be squinting when trying to read Google Maps directions on the Pixel 10a. The display is more resistant as well, now using Gorilla Glass 7i to better withstand scratches over time.

Of course, the real reason why you’d want to buy the Pixel 10a over competing mid-rangers like the Samsung Galaxy A56 or the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro are the cameras onboard. Thanks to Google’s computational processing, its mid-range phones consistently put out the type of photos that can oftentimes outdo handsets at the flagship end of the market.

The biggest omission here is definitely the Pixelsnap feature that allows for magnetic wireless charging and is available on every other phone in the Pixel 10 range. There’s also a case to be made that if you’re tied to a strict budget then you’ll be able to find the Pixel 9a for even less nowadays, but the 10a will be supported for a bit longer into the future, making it more of a solid investment.

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