The Google Pixel 11 might seem like a boring upgrade, but I'd still pick it over the Pixel 11 Pro — here's why

On the surface, Google’s new Pixel 11 range brings mostly iterative updates over the excellent Pixel 10 lineup across the board.

Every handset received a new processor, a brighter display, and camera and software improvements.

These upgrades are par for the course these days.

The standard Pixel 11 is arguably the least exciting of the bunch, with relatively few changes over its predecessor.

But after spending a month with it as my daily driver, I’ve come away convinced it’s the model most people should buy.

And while the Pixel 11 has plenty going for it in its own right, what really makes it stand out is how little extra value I found in the more expensive Pixel 11 Pro .

The best Pixel for most people (Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda) The Pixel 11 mostly builds on last year’s Pixel 10 , which was a relatively major step up over the Pixel 9 with a then-new telephoto camera and PixelSnap magnetic charging alongside the usual chipset and software upgrades.

Aside from the new Google Tensor G6 chipset, the Pixel 11 has an upgraded main camera and a 40% slimmer camera bump.

During my testing, I found the Pixel 11’s compact 6.3-inch screen, relatively lightweight 197g chassis and thin camera bump made it an easy phone to live with.

It’s a refreshing change from the 6.7- to 6.9-inch handsets that I’ve been testing all year.

My test unit came in the new Hibiscus color — which some of my colleagues called ‘hot pink’ — and it attracted plenty of compliments like, “I wish iPhones came in that color!” Its cameras produce rich, vibrant photos, and having a proper telephoto lens is a great addition for a phone in this price range.

Of course, it doesn’t have the 11 Pro’s more advanced camera controls and features , but the Pixel 11 has more than enough camera tech for most people.

This comparatively simpler camera setup also allowed Google to shrink the Pixel 11’s camera bump, which then disappears when you put a case on.

Future | Nico Arboleda Future | Nico Arboleda Future | Nico Arboleda Future | Nico Arboleda Perhaps the biggest reason I’d recommend the Pixel 11 is that, in everyday use, I found very little to separate it from the more expensive Pro.