Pixel 11 Pro XL review: Faster cameras, but only an incremental upgrade
A TechCrunch review finds that Google's new Pixel 11 Pro XL offers snappier cameras and new AI features, but overall changes from the previous generation are modest, while the price has gone up.
Google's latest flagship, the Pixel 11 Pro XL, looks much like its predecessor from the outside — the main visual changes are new color options and a small glowing light on the back. After using the phone for nearly a week, the reviewer concludes that despite the iterative updates, it remains a solid device.
Rambler dictation tool
One standout new feature is Rambler, an AI-powered dictation tool that strips filler words and formats speech into clean text. It handles language switching and noisy environments well, drawing comparisons to competitors like Wispr and Willow.
Gemini updates
The phone also brings new Gemini capabilities, including Proactive Suggestions that surface context-aware tips from messaging apps, and limited agentic abilities such as placing food orders, currently available only in the U.S. A new Live Translate feature helps with videos or livestreams lacking translated captions, though specific languages must be downloaded first.
HiLight's limited usefulness
A new rear LED light called HiLight, replacing last year's temperature sensor, glows in different colors to signal Gemini activity or calls from favorite contacts. However, it doesn't work for text messages, which limits its practical value.
Snappier cameras
Both the main and telephoto sensors are larger than on the Pixel 10 Pro XL, allowing more light capture, while a new processor makes photo capture and Night Sight noticeably faster. The Pro Res Zoom feature has also improved, with maximum zoom rising from 100x to 120x. A new Magic Capture feature lets users pull top moments from a short video clip as photos, useful for capturing moving subjects like pets.
Higher price
Due to a component shortage, Google dropped the 128GB base storage option and reduced RAM from 16GB to 12GB, while the Pixel 11 Pro XL's price rose by $100 compared to last year's model.
