Our verdict
The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL share the same cameras, chip and software; the XL has a bigger 6.8-inch screen, a larger battery and faster wired charging. Both have a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide and a 48MP 5x telephoto, with zoom up to 120x. Their LTPO screens can drop to 1Hz to save battery and rise to 120Hz for smooth scrolling. Everyday apps run well on Google’s Tensor G6 chip, but reviewers found graphics lag well behind Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra. Expert Reviews measured nearly 26 hours of video on the Pro XL. UK RRPs start at £1,079 for the Pro and £1,279 for the Pro XL. We have not tested them ourselves: this review draws on Google’s specifications and reviews by Expert Reviews, Tom’s Guide and Tech Advisor.
Buy it if
- You want one of the best zoom cameras on a phone
- You plan to keep your phone for many years
- You want a choice of a compact 6.3-inch or a large 6.8-inch screen
Skip it if
- You want the newest Gemini AI features in the UK straight away
- You play demanding 3D games
- You take lots of night photos, where Expert Reviews saw a yellow tint and lens flare
How it would fit your home
Zoom photography
The 48MP 5x telephoto suits sport, wildlife and concerts. Tom’s Guide found the 120x maximum zoom beat Samsung’s 100x.
Choosing your size
The 6.3-inch Pro weighs 204g and is easier one-handed; the 6.8-inch Pro XL weighs 226g and has a bigger battery and faster charging.
Dictation and everyday Google tools
Tom’s Guide praised the Rambler dictation feature. Some Gemini features were not yet available in the UK, so check before buying for AI alone.
The details, in plain English
Screens
The Pro has a 6.3-inch 1280 × 2856 screen and the Pro XL a 6.8-inch 1344 × 2992 screen. Both are LTPO, meaning the refresh rate can range from 1Hz to 120Hz, saving power on still images. Google claims up to 3,600 nits at peak. Tom’s Guide measured about 2,860 nits on the Pro and 2,877 on the XL. Expert Reviews measured 1,274 nits in manual mode and 2,104 nits for HDR on the XL, with accurate colours. Tom’s Guide noted there is no anti-reflective coating.
Cameras
There is a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide and a 48MP 5x telephoto with optical stabilisation, plus a 42MP selfie camera. Expert Reviews rated the 5x zoom excellent but saw a yellow tint and lens flare in some night shots. Tom’s Guide found Instant Night Sight takes about two seconds. Video reaches 4K at 60 frames a second, or 8K using Google’s cloud-processed Video Boost.
Battery and charging
The Pro has a 4,850mAh battery and the XL 5,115mAh. Expert Reviews measured 25 hours 44 minutes of video on the XL. In Tom’s Guide’s web-browsing test over 5G, the Pro lasted 13 hours 25 minutes and the XL 14 hours 28 minutes. Google claims 55% in 30 minutes for the Pro with a 30W PPS charger, and 75% for the XL with a 45W PPS charger. Tech Advisor reached only 37% using a non-PPS 45W charger, so the charger type matters.
Speed and gaming
Both use the Tensor G6 chip. In Geekbench tests, Expert Reviews found the Galaxy S26 Ultra about 55% faster on multi-core. Tom’s Guide found graphics scores roughly half the S26 Ultra’s. Tech Advisor found it struggled with Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile. Everyday apps run well; demanding games are the weak point.
Software and updates
Both run Android 17 with seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates, counted from launch. Tech Advisor reported that Gemini Intelligence was not available in the UK at launch, and some AI features need a paid Gemini subscription. Tom’s Guide found Live Translate worked only with YouTube and called HiLight a gimmick for now. Both are rated IP68. The box contains a USB-C cable and SIM tool only.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- 48MP 5x telephoto rated excellent by Expert Reviews, with zoom up to 120x
- Very bright screens: Tom’s Guide measured about 2,870 nits at peak
- Pro XL lasted 25 hours 44 minutes in Expert Reviews’ video test
- Seven years of Android, security and Pixel Drop updates
- Pixelsnap magnetic wireless charging at up to 25W
What to watch out for
- Graphics performance is roughly half the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s in Tom’s Guide’s tests
- The 256GB models have 12GB of RAM; 16GB needs the 512GB model or above
- Some Gemini AI features were not available in the UK at launch
- Night photos showed a yellow tint and flare in Expert Reviews’ testing
- No charger in the box, and the XL’s fastest charging needs a 45W PPS charger
The standard Pixel 11 has the same chip and a 5x zoom, but a smaller telephoto sensor and lower-resolution screen, for £879. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is far faster for games. We have not tested these phones side by side.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Google Pixel 11 Pro (this one) | A strong camera phone in two sizes, with an excellent 5x zoom, bright screens and seven years of updates, best for people who zoom in on sport, wildlife and concerts. | From £1,079 RRP (Pro) · from £1,279 RRP (Pro XL) · 256GBRRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Google Pixel 10 Pro | Consider the Pixel 10 Pro if zoom photography matters and you prefer a smaller Pro-level phone, and check the 128GB storage will be enough for you. | £999RRP · 128GB storage, RRP recorded 29 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Google Pixel 11 | A sensible choice for anyone who wants a useful 5x zoom and seven years of updates without paying Pro prices. | £879RRP · 256GB, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Google Pixel 10 | The easiest Android phone to recommend to most camera-first buyers, as long as fast charging and heavy gaming are not priorities. | £799RRP · 128GB, RRP recorded 29 Oct 2026 | Check price |
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Where our findings come from
This review is based on Google’s UK specifications and store, and hands-on reviews by Expert Reviews (Ben Johnston, Pixel 11 Pro XL 512GB, 19 August 2026), Tom’s Guide (Tom Pritchard, Pro and Pro XL, 19 August 2026) and Tech Advisor (Henry Burrell, Pro XL, several weeks of use, 11 September 2026). Their findings are credited to them in the text, and measurements differ between tests because each publication uses its own methods. GSMArena’s reviews could not be opened, so we have not used them. Prices were checked on 12 October 2026.