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Pixel 9 user changes mind on Pixel 11: 5 upgrades that matter

An Android Authority editor initially planned to skip the Pixel 11, but five notable upgrades — including a new modem, telephoto camera, brighter display, Qi2 support, and Gemini Intelligence — convinced them otherwise.

AI News Feed · 2026-08-28 21:38

The Pixel 11 does not look dramatically different from the Pixel 9, and the starting price is higher due to the ongoing RAM and memory crisis. However, the editor said the new phone brings meaningful improvements in connectivity, camera, display, battery, and AI features.

One of the biggest upgrades is the modem. Google has switched from Samsung's Exynos modem to a new MediaTek modem across the Pixel 11 series. In testing by Android Authority, the new modem delivered faster download speeds than the Pixel 10 Pro and held 5G connections better in weak reception areas. Since the Pixel 9 uses a similar Samsung modem, users can expect noticeable cellular performance gains.

The camera system also received a significant update. For the first time, the base Pixel 11 includes a telephoto lens, a feature that was missing on the Pixel 9. Google also upgraded the 48MP primary sensor, claiming it can capture 56% more light, which should improve low-light photography. The editor said the telephoto camera alone fixes one of their biggest complaints about the Pixel 9.

The display brightness has been increased to 3,000 nits, up from 2,700 nits on the Pixel 9. While the 300-nit difference may seem small, the editor noted it makes the screen noticeably easier to read outdoors in direct sunlight.

The Pixel 11 also comes with native Qi2 support, meaning magnetic chargers and other Qi2 or MagSafe accessories can attach directly to the phone without a case. The editor, who regularly uses Qi2 accessories, called this a major convenience upgrade. The battery is slightly larger as well, at 4,985mAh compared to 4,700mAh on the Pixel 9.

Finally, the Pixel 11 is among the first Android phones to include Gemini Intelligence, Google's new system-level AI architecture. The editor said this could provide features that may not be available on older Pixel devices.