The Guardian's review of Google's Pixel 11 finds it continues to set the benchmark for standard flagship smartphones, offering long battery life, a faster chip, useful AI features and strong cameras that keep it ahead of Android rivals. The base model retains the design and build quality of its predecessors while improving on performance and endurance, making it a compelling option despite a higher price tag driven by rising memory costs.

The Pixel 11 costs £879, £80 more than last year's model, but includes 256GB of storage and undercuts the Pixel 11 Pro by £200, matching Samsung's Galaxy S26 pricing. It features a 6.3in 120Hz OLED screen, the new Tensor G6 chip (up to 20% faster than its predecessor), roughly 54 hours of battery life on light use, and Android 17 with updates guaranteed until August 2033. AI tools such as Magic Cue/Gemini Proactive Assistance and the Rambler dictation feature add practical functionality, though proactive AI suggestions remain limited to supported apps like Google Messages rather than third-party services such as WhatsApp.