30 days with Pixel 11: What we learned.

0:00 So, it's been 30 days since Google officially launched the Pixel 11 lineup, and I think the base 11 might be the most sensible device of the bunch. But, here's what I've learned having used it for a full month post launch. Let's get into it. This is 30 days with the Pixel 11. I would love it though if you could subscribe. In fact, it will probably make my year, and you'll get all the Android stuff that we talk about here on the channel and some other sick things thrown in for good measure. So, come join us. I'd love to have you. Cheers.

0:25 I think it's really hard to be too annoyed about the Pixel 11 design, but I can 100% empathize with people who may seem see this as a little bit boring. I think when you get a new phone, you may subconsciously want at least a few changes to help it feel different. But, I mean, if you haven't used a Pixel 9 or Pixel 10, you probably won't care. This is a brand new design to you. And while I know I'm not in the minority here, I've been loving the Pixel design for the past couple of years, there is a certain feeling of Groundhog Day after a while, and that's definitely not subsided when using this device. But, what I've realized is that as someone who's used the last three generations, to me, a case this time has never felt more important, or it has felt more important than ever with the Pixel 11 in particular. So, after a month or so of use, the flatter camera visor I think is one of those few big changes that feels more consequential than anything else.

1:10 My dream would be a bit of a boxier shape akin to the Pixel 10a because I really do love that design. It's all a one-piece, but with a case or a a case on this phone, you can achieve that or pretty much darn close to it. A tangible change to the design that is internal, but it will make external changes that I hadn't actually expected was the movement of the NFC chip to the closer to that top right edge. I think in tandem with that smaller camera bump, it's it it just means I'm not clashing my phone against terminals or turnstiles a little bit more readily. So, I think wireless payments are a lot faster. They definitely feel more accurate because I'm not fumbling around or trying to find that perfect kind of I guess heat map or hot spot. It's a lot better than it was on the previous generation, which wasn't bad to to be completely honest with you. But, I'm also glad that we've made Oh, we at least get some stronger Pixel Snap magnets because you're a little bit more confident in accessories sticking to the back of this phone, which I think is especially important because of the slippery glossy finish on the back glass, which I do think to me was problematic on the Pixel 10 at times. I I kind of hope that the I kind of wished as well that Google would have made some changes to the actual the feel of this phone because it does sound a little bit hollow when you tap it. I know some people find this a problem.

2:22 For a $900 phone, it can feel a little bit cheap even though it does have a great frame, and there's a there's a definite mass in the hand. These are little nitpicks, but I do care about this extra attention being paid to these areas, especially if we're going to get the same design year over year. Maybe next year though, it's time to address these admittedly minor build complaints because this is still a well-built phone. As far as the overall design is concerned, the Pixel 11 builds upon what is good. The good news is that there's very little bad here as well. So, I am nitpicking a little bit. I did hope that we'd get a little bit of a display or brightness display bump or display brightness bump. That should be what it's called, but maybe this the end game for this size and shape, and this is just where Google's going with the 11 series. I'm kind of hopeful that Google will make major changes next year if we do get a pro pros redesign. The only way I can see changes is in the materials used for this specific layout and this particular form factor. But, yeah, maybe save some dimension shavings. I don't think we're going to get anything that truly redefines that post Pixel 9 formula. So, yeah, this is it this is what it is. It's a pretty nice design, and it's one you're going to have to live with for a little bit longer.

3:26 And when we look at the software, I mean it in the most positive way possible. The Pixel 11 is just more of the same. Yet, there are a few things that start to feel like they haven't become game-changing in the ways I think Google seems to expect they will. I'm not actively using many of the new functions that the Pixel 11 shipped with. I say actively as some of the hands-off background automation is I think what Google should excel at, and it isn't quite doing so everywhere across the OS.

3:49 Take proactive assistance, if I've got that name correct, for instance. This is on the cusp of being a truly exceptional upgrade for Magic Q, which itself was a little had a little bit of a rocky start. So, I'm in the UK here, and Google Messages is an app that I love, but I don't use it with many of my contacts. I say this because when I've had suggestions for things like my passport number or my flight number when asked about it on a trip, the instantaneous pop-up suggestions seem so perfectly integrated that it feels like Magic Q on steroids when it's working, and it works pretty much every single time. I think we desperately need to get this into third-party applications on the Pixel 11 as soon as possible, as it would save me so much time and indeed effort in WhatsApp chats. And that's And I'm sort of frustrated that this isn't system-wide at least at this stage. And as well, now I've been using Rambler for an extended period, I've kind of made a U-turn on its inclusion after when I was using this phone for a week. And I'm actually trusting it more to take notes, send local messages, and dare I say it, compose a few important emails. It's a really sleeper function that I'm actually enjoying greatly as a bit of a lazy typer. It's drafted a few paragraphs of this extended review. So, in addition to the live transcripts, I think it could potentially be a must-have for the lazy among us who want to speak to their phone rather than type things out. And I also completely forgot that Pause Point was launched with the Pixel 11. I tried it a few times, and I don't know why it isn't being touted as a bigger deal. It's definitely one of the few digital well-being tools that could potentially actually curb your phone usage cuz it asks you those important questions when you do open an application. The rest of the AI stack, well, it all still a little bit it all feels, sorry, like a bit of a filler. I'm using Pixel screenshots, which has been existed since the Pixel 9 series, on an almost daily basis, but I hope that Google doesn't ever get rid of that.

5:34 But, I have to say I'm still not finding ways to use many of the major functions that Google keeps touting because of the aforementioned first-party app lock or the requirements of using first-party applications. And I don't use first-party apps for absolutely everything. I also mentioned some modem issues in my initial review. These were indeed temporary, fully resolved now. There's no doubt in my mind as well that having had this update and had some improvements, the modem is definitely way better with signal than the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series. And I also had a VPN connection woe, that has gone with the last couple of OTA updates. So, it could have been a Proton VPN update in the time in between. So, yes, if you had worried about that when I made comments earlier in the month, they are fixed here. At least as far as I'm concerned 30 days later.

6:18 I will say I'm so glad that Google has paid attention to some of the major complaints with the Pixel 10 and actually put in that proper big main sensor rather than shortchanging buyers with an A-series sensor on the Pixel 11. For me, the quality jump gives me the confidence that you're properly equipped for every eventuality now. Next year though, I am fully hoping for some improved ultra-wide and telephoto hardware. For what it is, or at least what we have right now, it's pretty solid, but it's not necessarily the best. The main sensor is the one I will care about the most. And to the surprise of absolutely nobody, camera looks is my outright most used function across every facet of the Pixel 11 this year so far by a wide margin. In the back of my mind, with just about any Pixel, I have to say consistency has been both a blessing and a curse at least in the last 5 or so years. I spoke about it last year when switching away to zero cam on the Pixel 10 Pro. I I kind of wanted less processing done on my behalf, and camera looks just about answers that. And it answers it pretty much with the plum. I have completely switched away from using the default camera setting to using the shadows look. It's now my default setting when I open the camera application. And like when using zero cam, I'm actually being more picky about what photos I'm taking with this phone now. My only gripe is that the the recipes that you can cook up would would be great if it if you could save these for specific circumstances. Being able to save these as unique custom looks built up on one custom look option with unique names, I think would be a godsend and a real good time saver. Maybe we could also get some better or more intuitive and simple controls for certain recipes because yes, while I do like the fact that you can tune things, it is going to be confusing to people who don't know how to use this this function properly. And sometimes I've been a little bit tripped up by some of the options I've been trying to make changes to. I think if you want pure consistency though and you don't care about camera looks, stick with the default settings and enjoy what I would consider another great camera with better zoom, a quality main sensor.

8:10 The rest is just more of the same, which is to say very good for this price bracket. I also have to note that I wish I had more reasons to use magic camera as it looks like a really good powerful feature when I've used it. My colleague Daniel Bader wrote something about on the website which is fantastic. Go read this. It's a really apt and timely piece about this functionality. This seems like the ultimate family camera function. The outputs are great. Getting both video and photo at the same time is perfect as you kind of preserve the moment no matter what, photo and video at the same time. As I say, I need to force myself to use it more often. I've barely touched it since my first week of testing because I haven't necessarily needed to. I'd rather be taking a photo and I think that for the most part, there are going to be people who use this practically every day. Sadly, I'm not one of those people, but you might be. So that is important probably to you to try this out for yourself. I also can't say I've had a problem with a recent Pixel phone in terms of longevity, but the Pixel 11 is really solid when it comes to battery life.

9:04 I've been on a few weekend trips already with this phone and it really hasn't let me down. Side note, actually do like the new AI summary to battery usage. Definitely feels better tailored than just a list of applications and the time you've used them. It is a fairly recent update, but I like this tweak and I hope it improves over time to add more detail of how you've used your device. There are only so many times though that I can complain about the charging speed before you sort of come to terms with it. At least the G2 charging speed now has increased to 25 watts across the board, which isn't a million miles from the 30 watt wired charging speed. Now, just give us a little bit more, Google. I'd love to see that and I'll be a lot happier. That said, I have started charging overnight again with this phone quite recently, so my complaint's a little bit moot. And for realistically, for what it's worth, the Pixel 11 does last a little bit longer than the Pixel 11 Pro, which does have a slightly smaller battery on than the 11, which is solid and dependable in its own right. It's been a long time, I will say, since I've had a Pixel and had terrible battery lifespan, put it that way. So, yeah, you're pretty well catered for with a Pixel 11 when it comes to daily day-to-day usage and lifespan at your fingertips.

10:07 So, what's it like to own the Pixel 11 and is it worth it? Well, there's more to talk about here because 2026 feels like a sobering year for technology. Not only has real progress slowed down drastically over the past couple of years in basically all areas outside artificial intelligence, but we're expected to pay more for the privilege of buying these devices. I think there is a good phone underneath the price hikes with this device. One that, yes, hasn't changed all that much. Luckily for most people, the Pixel 11 isn't as compromised as the Pro model. So, for a long time, I felt like this was where Google did their best work outside of the A-series, the base model of a lineup. A You get a solid base for all of the functionality and all of the features that a normal person would want and could want from their mobile companion. And because the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL do have some cost-prohibitive compromises on there, well, most notably the RAM RAM configuration going down, there's a cost incentive to go for the base model once again.

11:02 I still struggle to fully recommend that anyone should buy the Pixel 11, but it does feel like the most sensible of the bunch this time around if you do want to or you are willing to spend that kind of money. We will revisit the Pixel 11 in the next few months to determine what has held up and what hasn't. So, if you do prefer even longer testing periods, then check back in another, I'd say, 60-ish days. It'll be about three or three or three or so months for an updated verdict on this phone. We will be testing it in more regular increments this time around because, yeah, as I say, it hasn't changed hasn't changed too drastically, but people want to know if it's worth buying when it starts to come down in price, which I think is probably the most important thing to Pixel buyers. Should you buy it at full price? Should you buy it at discounted price? We all know the answer that one, but hopefully this has helped you out.

11:44 30 days with the Pixel 11. It's been pretty good. It's nothing that I haven't expected or unexpected. So, yeah. Let me know if you've been using the phone down in the comment sections below, but hopefully this has helped you out. And as always, I'll speak to you later.