Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
I tested the Pixel 11 Pro XL against the Pixel 8 Pro. Here’s why it’s time to finally upgrade
It may be time to move on.
By
•
•
•
Stephen Radochia / Android Authority
Add Android Authority on Google:
Preferred SourceGoogle Discover
I’ve defended Pixels for a few years now. Not because I’m beholden to any manufacturer, but because I genuinely appreciate the effort Google’s made to improve its phones. At one point, I was kicked off Team Pixel because I didn’t appreciate the early Tensor performance and thought the company was headed in the wrong direction.
The Pixel 8 Pro changed that perception for me, and it was the first time I felt Google could actually deliver on its vision for Pixel. I’ve been a fan of the phone ever since, and I’ve told people to resist the temptation to upgrade.
However, after using the Pixel 11 Pro XL, it’s harder than ever to tell people to hold out another year — and it may be time to enjoy Google’s latest and greatest.
Pixel 11 Pro XL vs. Pixel 8 Pro: Do you think it’s worth the upgrade?
What I love about the Pixel 11 Pro XL
Shimul Sood / Android Authority
I’ve been using the Pixel 11 Pro XL for about a week, and it’s hard to be too critical. Yes, gaming performance could be better, but plenty of buyers just won’t care. I’ve become more of a proponent of the idea that not every phone has to be for everyone, and the Pixel 11 Pro XL offers plenty of user-experience perks that Samsung and others haven’t matched. Those won’t get the same column inches as Google’s gaming shortcomings, because casual buyers don’t generate that kind of online fervor.
Still, the Pixel 11 Pro XL is a fantastic smartphone. If you’ve used a Pixel 9 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro, you won’t notice any huge departures, but that’s not a bad thing. The phone does feel a touch more refined and lighter in the hand, while still being a premium flagship. I don’t usually like black colorways on smartphones, but the matte finish and color-matched aluminum frame work well together on the Pixel 11 Pro XL.
Joe Maring / Android Authority
Viewing the Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 8 Pro side by side reveals that not all Super Actua panels are created equal. The former’s 6.8-inch display is gorgeous, and noticeably brighter and more vibrant than its older sibling. I’m thankful the days of drab Pixel displays are long gone, and the Pixel 11 Pro XL is the best panel the company has shipped.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the Pixel 11 Pro XL is powered by the much-maligned Tensor G6 chipset. I’m sorry, but I refuse to hate on Tensor like everyone else. If you actually use the Pixel 11 Pro XL for an extended period, you’ll see it runs smoothly and doesn’t overheat. The model I tested has 16GB of RAM, but I doubt the experience is much different on the 12GB variant. The Pixel 8 Pro holds up well, but you’ll definitely notice an improvement when you move to the Pixel 11 Pro XL.
I’m sorry, but I refuse to hate on Tensor like everyone else.
As expected, buying the latest and greatest means you get all of the new software perks Google offers. Whether they matter to you is a matter of personal preference. However, as a Gemini Intelligence skeptic, I can tell you that the Pixel’s AI extras are finally starting to come around. Rambler works surprisingly well, and I can fire off two paragraphs or more of natural, spoken text, and Google’s software polishes it enough to send.
Live Translate has also improved, and cross-app AI integration is better — something that desperately needed improvement. Google’s done a decent job trickling down some of these new features to older devices, but I can’t promise the Pixel 8 Pro will get all of them, or that they will be in the same state when they arrive. So, if you’re into Gemini Intelligence, the Pixel 11 Pro XL is your best bet.
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
The Pixel 11 Pro XL’s triple camera setup is undoubtedly improved this year. I get the same sharp, detailed photos I’m used to from Pixels, but with a touch more saturation. I don’t feel the need to edit anymore to get a social-media-ready image. You can tweak as needed, but I appreciate that the default is more colorful. You can tell the telephoto lens has a larger sensor this year. I’ve always loved the telephoto on Pixels more than other phones, and this just makes it better. You’ll also notice faster Night Sight processing, so if you’re a shutterbug, there’s a reason to upgrade.
Battery life has been improving for years on Google’s smartphones, but my experience has been outstanding on the Pixel 11 Pro XL. I can easily make it two days on a single charge, and for the first time I can remember on a Pixel, I can stretch it into a third day if I need to. The phone’s just-over-5,100mAh battery does the job, and I’ve grown to love my Pixelsnap accessories — which you won’t find on the Pixel 8 Pro. However, the older Pixel isn’t completely helpless.
What I still love about the Pixel 8 Pro
Stephen Radochia / Android Authority
The Pixel 8 Pro is one of my favorite Google smartphones for a reason. It was when the company really turned a corner. The design was more refined and felt better in the hand than its predecessors, and Google finally addressed many of buyers’ major complaints. The Tensor G3 chipset was a massive improvement, and I finally felt confident in a Pixel phone’s battery life.
Thankfully, much of what I’ve always loved carries forward into 2026, as the Pixel 8 Pro has aged well. Thanks to extended support, the phone will remain viable for a few more years, and Google has done an excellent job of bringing new software to older hardware. It’s not enough to just slap an update on an old device. The optimization is solid, and I haven’t noticed any significant slowdowns after updates.
Material 3’s Expressive design on Android 17 is smooth on my Pixel 8 Pro, and while you’ll definitely notice the Pixel 11 Pro XL’s exterior upgrades, the Pixel 8 Pro still feels modern. Sure, you won’t get all the latest Gemini Intelligence bells and whistles, but there is plenty to enjoy on Android 17 on the Pixel 8 Pro. Generative AI edits make it easier to get your photos just right, since you can give the tool natural-language instructions on what you want. Night Sight provides detailed snaps in low light, and Pixel extras like Now Playing are here.
Battery life has held up well. I can’t match the nearly three days of use I get from the Pixel 11 Pro XL, but my Pixel 8 Pro lasts a full day. The battery has definitely lost a step or two over the last three years, but not enough to make me toss it into a drawer.
The Pixel 11 Pro XL is more than worth it
If you’re choosing between the two, the Pixel 8 Pro has a clear advantage. While the Pixel 11 Pro XL will run you around $1,300, you can get decent Pixel 8 Pro models for under $400. That’s a fantastic deal on a phone with years of support left, and that runs well. If you want a Pixel and midrange phones don’t speak to you, it’s an excellent entry point.
I’m all for people keeping phones in their pockets longer, and if you’re so inclined, the Pixel 8 Pro has done nothing to lose its spot. However, I can confidently tell you that you’ll notice a significant enough upgrade this year to the Pixel 11 Pro XL that you might consider making the jump — in a way I couldn’t recommend with the Pixel 9 or even the Pixel 10.
Google Pixel 11 Pro XLExcellent cameras • 7 years of Android updates • Built-in magnets with Qi 2.2
MSRP: $1,299.00
The top Pixel
The Google Pixel 11 Pro XL is a premium Android flagship powered by Tensor G6, with a 6.8-inch 1-120Hz Super Actua display, upgraded triple cameras with 120x Pro Zoom, a 5,115mAh battery, Pixelsnap Qi2.2 charging, and seven years of updates.
See price at Amazon
Features
GoogleGoogle PixelGoogle Pixel 11Google Pixel 8
Follow
Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting.
