Pixel 11 Pro XL offers several hardware upgrades over the Pixel 8 Pro, making it an option for users considering a new flagship. Google’s newer phone features a brighter display, a more advanced Tensor processor, updated camera hardware and faster charging. However, its higher price may influence whether existing Pixel 8 Pro owners decide to upgrade.
The Pixel 11 Pro XL keeps Google’s signature rear camera bar but introduces flatter sides. Its 6.8-inch display is slightly larger than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 6.7-inch screen. The newer model reportedly reaches 3,600 nits of peak brightness, compared with 2,400 nits on its predecessor. It also offers improved scratch resistance and comes in Fog, Obsidian, Canyon and Olive colours.
Another addition is HiLight, a customisable coloured LED on the phone’s rear for notifications. The Pixel 11 Pro XL reportedly uses Google’s Tensor G6 processor, manufactured with a 2-nanometre process. This replaces the Tensor G3 chip in the Pixel 8 Pro, which uses a 4nm process. The newer processor could improve efficiency and AI-related tasks, although independent tests must confirm its actual performance.
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The phones also differ in their memory and storage configurations. The Pixel 11 Pro XL reportedly offers 12GB of RAM with 256GB storage or 16GB with 512GB storage. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8 Pro includes 12GB of RAM, with its base model offering 128GB storage. These options could make the newer phone more appealing to users who need additional space.
Both devices feature three rear cameras, but the Pixel 11 Pro XL reportedly introduces a new main sensor and a larger 5x telephoto sensor. The Pixel 8 Pro has a 50-megapixel main camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 48-megapixel telephoto camera. The newer hardware could improve zoom and low-light photography, but software processing also affects image quality. Its reported 5,115mAh battery is slightly larger than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 5,050mAh capacity.
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Charging is another area where the newer model offers an improvement. The Pixel 11 Pro XL supports 45W wired charging and 25W wireless charging with Qi 2.2 technology. The Pixel 8 Pro supports 30W wired charging and wireless charging at up to 23W. However, real-world battery life will depend on usage, display settings, network conditions and processor efficiency.
The Pixel 11 Pro XL reportedly starts at $1,300, which is $100 more than the Pixel 8 Pro’s launch price. Rising memory costs have been cited as one reason for the increase. The brighter screen, newer processor, camera changes and faster charging may justify the cost for some users. However, owners satisfied with their Pixel 8 Pro may prefer to keep it until independent tests confirm the scale of the improvements.