I’ve a love-hate relationship with the Pixel 10 Professional XL.
On one hand, Google’s newest flagship is arguably peak smartphone, with a fusion of premium {hardware} and feature-rich software program that the majority rivals may solely dream of. I used to be overwhelmingly praiseworthy in my 9/10 evaluate final 12 months, and it sits on the high of our greatest telephones information to this present day.
Nevertheless, over time, minor shortcomings morphed into vital drawbacks for me, making the cellphone extra irritating than satisfying to make use of.
As soon as March rolled round, I’d lastly had sufficient. My SIM card got here out of the ten Professional XL and into the Galaxy Z Fold 7, a tool that has unexpectedly impressed me (although don’t take it to the seashore). I’m very fortunate to have such a reputable different, one thing which can be unattainable for most individuals.
And the excellent news is that my Pixel 10 Professional XL dealbreakers may simply be fastened with Google’s upcoming substitute, the Pixel 11 Professional XL. With three comparatively easy modifications, the 11 Professional XL may very well be a far superior cellphone, setting a brand new customary for flagships in the method.
Drawback 1: Software program is just too restrictive
Google has lengthy acquired reward for its feature-rich, “inventory” Android expertise, and deservedly so. Nevertheless, in 2026, software program has develop into a key purpose not to purchase a Pixel cellphone should you ask me.
The house display screen epitomises this. For years, Google refused to supply us any significant method to personalise it with out downloading a third-party launcher.
Luke Baker
Whereas the corporate lastly allow you to take away the annoying ‘At a Look’ widget earlier this 12 months, the search bar stays a everlasting fixture. It takes up a variety of house for one thing I actually by no means use.
…in 2026, software program has develop into a key purpose not to purchase a Pixel cellphone.
Elsewhere, Android 17 fixes the long-standing problem of a single fast settings toggle for Wi-Fi and cell knowledge (in the end!), however it got here too late to forestall me from switching. Ditto for eradicating app labels, which solely added to the house display screen litter.
Then there had been the first-party widgets. I’m genuinely baffled that Google may make widgets that seemed this ugly, particularly when Samsung exhibits how simple it’s to make them look lovely.
Foundry
Nevertheless, it was an altogether extra mundane function that lastly satisfied me to change. In contrast to Samsung and Motorola telephones, Google doesn’t allow you to disable the app drawer, regardless of many individuals preferring the house screen-only strategy.
As somebody who was attempting to cut back senseless cellphone utilization, seamless entry to each app was the alternative of what I wanted, which made the Pixel UI a no-go.
How the Pixel 11 may repair it: Let the folks do what they need!
By operating Android 17 out of the field, the Pixel 11 sequence will already be a giant step up within the software program division. However Google may undoubtedly go additional.
For many individuals, the massive enchantment of Android is its in depth customisation choices, however these talents are weirdly hamstrung on Pixel telephones. I need to have the ability to change all the things about the way in which my cellphone appears to be like and feels, but keep the simplicity of the default consumer interface. At the moment, that’s completely unattainable.
Higher first-party widgets and the choice to take away the house display screen search bar are my high priorities, whereas Gemini Intelligence introduces the potential for AI-generated, private widgets.
However I’d love Google to introduce its personal model of Samsung’s Good Lock app, which presents a near-endless array of customisation choices. At the moment, the Pixel feels even much less customisable than the iPhone, which is saying one thing.
Foundry
Drawback 2: It’s too rattling heavy
At 232g, the Pixel 10 Professional XL is likely one of the heaviest telephones you should purchase. Add within the official Pixelsnap case (which I actually like), and you’re over 260g. That’s just too heavy to be comfy for a each day driver.
Consequently, the ten Professional XL is nearly unattainable to make use of one-handed, even for a brief interval of time. And in contrast to many fashionable handsets, I can by no means ignore it weighing down my pocket.
When the Galaxy Z Fold 7 presents two screens but stays 17g lighter, you realize Google has gone too far.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Because the weeks progressed, the system turned much more of a chore to carry, so I relished the chance to change to one thing lighter. When the Galaxy Z Fold 7 presents two screens but stays 17g lighter, you realize Google has gone too far.
How the Pixel 11 may repair it: Make it thinner and improve the aluminium
In fact, the simplest method to make a cellphone lighter is by decreasing its whole footprint. However that is an XL system, so the massive 6.8-inch show is de rigeur, whereas the bezel round it is already about as slim as you may count on.
As an alternative, Google must concentrate on the precise supplies it’s used to make the ten Professional XL. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Extremely has a good greater 6.9-inch display screen, but it weighs simply 214g. I doubt anybody would argue that it feels much less premium than the Pixel.
The important thing distinction seems to be two-fold. Firstly, the S26 Extremely is considerably slimmer (7.9mm vs 8.5mm), suggesting a extra environment friendly use of the obtainable house. Consequently, much less aluminium is required within the casing and body, serving to it stay extra light-weight.
Foundry
The particular kind of aluminium additionally performs a task. Samsung makes use of an alloy often known as “Armor Aluminium”, which is particularly designed to be lighter than the usual stuff.
To assist illustrate this, 2024’s Galaxy S24 Extremely used a titanium body as a substitute and was 8.6mm thick. Consequently, it weighed a hefty 232g.
With one in every of its main rivals already providing loads of weight-saving suggestions, it ought to be simple for Google to make the Pixel 10 Professional XL considerably lighter than its predecessor.
Drawback 3: Zoom pictures is underwhelming
On fashionable flagships, at the least three high-quality rear lenses are anticipated: major, ultrawide and telephoto.
The Pixel 10 Professional XL aces two out of the three, however struggles big-time with zoom pictures. Its 48Mp periscope telephoto presents 5x optical zoom to carry out effectively in close by scenes, however something past 10x could be very underwhelming.
If I needed an AI-generated picture, I wouldn’t have bothered taking the snap within the first place.
Google’s ‘Professional Res Zoom’ then kicks in at 30x, filling within the lacking particulars utilizing AI all the way in which as much as a whopping 100x.
Or at the least, that’s what it claims. In my expertise, it’s been a giant letdown, starting from unrealistic surroundings to straight-up hallucinations. If I needed an AI-generated picture, I wouldn’t have bothered taking the snap within the first place.
How the Pixel 11 may repair it: Ditch the AI gimmicks and concentrate on {hardware}
AI isn’t going wherever, and it appears to be like set to be a good greater a part of the Pixel 11 sequence. However these instruments ought to be used to assist nice zoom pictures, reasonably than change it fully.
To realize this, Google must ship a significant improve to the telephoto to assist it compete with the likes of the Oppo Discover X9 Extremely and Xiaomi 17 Extremely. In Versus’ side-by-side comparability, it additionally ranked behind the OnePlus 15, iPhone 17 Professional Max and Galaxy S25 Extremely.
With no digicam {hardware} enhancements between the 9 Professional XL and 10 Professional XL, an upgraded telephoto is overdue on the Pixel 11 sequence. Whereas Vivo and Oppo-style first-party extender kits can be nice, a easy lens improve would make a giant distinction.
Luke Baker
A tantalising prospect
Whereas writing this text, I’ve develop into more and more enthusiastic about what the Pixel 11 Professional XL may develop into.
Whereas there’s no proof suggesting Google will implement any of those, all of them really feel very achievable throughout the 10 Professional XL’s £1,099/$1,099 beginning worth – whatever the ongoing international RAM scarcity.
If my 11 Professional XL wishlist turns into a actuality (we must always discover out in August), it’d be laborious to see another cellphone topping our greatest telephones information. And crucially, that constructive expertise can be more likely to be sustained over time. Come on Google, you are able to do this!