Name: Google Pixel 11
Brand: Google

Our verdict

The Pixel 11 has a 6.3-inch OLED screen that runs at 60 to 120Hz, so scrolling and animations can look smoother than on a 60Hz screen. It uses Google’s Tensor G6 chip with 12GB of RAM and starts at 256GB of storage; there is no 128GB model. The camera includes a 5x telephoto lens for zooming in on distant subjects. Google promises seven years of Android, security and Pixel Drop updates. Expert Reviews measured over 25 hours in a video test, but reviewers found its graphics performance holds back demanding games. Its UK RRP is £879 for 256GB. We have not tested it ourselves: this review draws on Google’s specifications and reviews by GSMArena, Expert Reviews and T3.

Buy it if

You want a bright, accurate screen and a phone rated IP68 against dust and water
You want a zoom lens for concerts, sport or wildlife without paying Pro prices
You plan to keep your phone for many years and value long update support

Skip it if

You rely on Gemini AI features that may not be available in the UK yet
You play demanding 3D games
You want the fastest charging or the longest battery life at this price

Featured in

Google Pixel 11 vs Pixel 10: Which Should You Buy?

How it would fit your home

Keeping one phone for years

Google’s seven-year update promise means security fixes should continue long after many cheaper phones stop getting them. The clock starts from the phone’s US launch, not the day you buy it.

Zooming in on distant subjects

The 5x telephoto lens suits school plays, football matches and wildlife, where you would otherwise have to stand much closer.

Everyday photos without fuss

Reviewers praised its night photos and daylight results. GSMArena found the Pro models a touch sharper, but the difference is small for most snapshots.

The details, in plain English

Screen

The 6.3-inch OLED screen has a resolution of 1080 × 2424 and a refresh rate of 60 to 120Hz. Refresh rate is how many times a second the picture updates: higher looks smoother. Expert Reviews measured 1,300 nits in manual mode and 1,869 nits for HDR, with very accurate colours, and called it “simply phenomenal”. T3 felt it was “far from the brightest”, and GSMArena described the refresh options as “basic” because it switches between only 60Hz and 120Hz. Google claims up to 3,000 nits at peak.

Battery and charging

The battery is 4,985mAh. Expert Reviews measured 25 hours 25 minutes of looped video, but warned heavy users with five or more hours of screen time a day may struggle. T3 called battery life “average”. With a 30W USB-C charger, sold separately, Google claims 55% in about 30 minutes; Expert Reviews matched that and took about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach full. Pixelsnap wireless charging reaches up to 25W with Qi2.2-certified chargers.

Speed and gaming

The Tensor G6 chip handles everyday apps well. GSMArena measured Geekbench 6 scores of 2,731 single-core and 7,429 multi-core. Graphics are the weak spot: in GSMArena’s testing, Fortnite was choppy at maximum settings and one game it tried was incompatible. T3 found it gets a little warm under load.

Cameras

There is a 48MP main camera, a 13MP ultrawide and a 10.8MP 5x telephoto with optical image stabilisation (OIS), which steadies the lens against shaky hands. GSMArena found the 5x zoom “solid without setting any standards” and 10x “not really sharp”. Expert Reviews praised its night photos, while T3 found some low-light shots looked a little unrealistic. Video reaches 4K at 60 frames a second; GSMArena noticed some shake in walking footage.

Software, updates and AI

It runs Android 17, which T3 called “the most cohesive experience on Android”. Google promises seven years of updates, counted from the phone’s first US availability rather than your purchase date. Some AI features vary by country: T3 reported that Gemini Intelligence was not available in the UK during testing, and GSMArena found Gemini’s proactive suggestions unreliable. The box includes a USB-C cable and SIM tool, but no charger. Google lists a two-year warranty.

Strengths and drawbacks

What it does well

A 10.8MP 5x telephoto lens with optical stabilisation for clear shots of distant subjects
Seven years of Android, security and Pixel Drop updates
Expert Reviews measured 25 hours 25 minutes of video playback
Bright, accurate screen in Expert Reviews’ tests, with IP68 dust and water resistance
Pixelsnap magnetic wireless charging at up to 25W with compatible Qi2.2 chargers

What to watch out for

Graphics performance is weak, so demanding games struggle at high settings
Wired charging is slow for the price: about 55% in 30 minutes with a 30W charger
No charger in the box
Some AI features were not available in the UK when T3 reviewed it

Samsung’s Galaxy S26 is faster for games, with Expert Reviews measuring 64% higher multi-core performance. We have not tested these phones side by side.

Alternatives we have reviewed

Product	Our verdict	Price	Buy
Google Pixel 11 (this one)	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
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 Pro	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

Not sure it is the right one for you?

Answer a few quick questions and the Product Finder suggests the models that fit your budget and home. Free, no sign-up.

Use the Product Finder

Worth reading next

Phones6 minute readHow Much Phone Storage Do I Need? 128GB, 256GB or 512GB ExplainedMore storage can be useful, but it is easy to pay for space you will never use. This guide helps you choose from your real habits rather than guesswork.Read the article →Phones7 minute readIs Mobile Phone Insurance Worth It? A Simple UK ChecklistPhone insurance can prevent a painful replacement bill, but duplicate cover, excess charges and exclusions mean it is not right for everyone.Read the article →

Where our findings come from

This review is based on Google’s UK specifications and store page, the Currys listing, and hands-on reviews by GSMArena (15 September 2026), Expert Reviews (Ben Johnston, 24 August 2026) and T3 (Chris Hall, about three weeks of use, 15 September 2026). Their findings are credited to them in the text, and where they disagree, as on battery life and the screen, we say so. GSMArena’s display and battery pages could not be opened, so we have not used those results. Prices were checked on 12 October 2026.

Google Pixel 11 review