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 almost all rivals may solely dream of. I used to be overwhelmingly praiseworthy in my 9/10 evaluation final yr, and it sits on the prime of our greatest telephones information to this present day.
Nevertheless, over time, minor shortcomings morphed into vital drawbacks for me, making the telephone 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 seaside). I’m very fortunate to have such a reputable various, one thing which can be unimaginable for most individuals.
And the excellent news is that my Pixel 10 Professional XL dealbreakers may simply be mounted with Google’s upcoming substitute, the Pixel 11 Professional XL. With three comparatively easy adjustments, the 11 Professional XL may very well be a far superior telephone, setting a brand new customary for flagships in the method.
Downside 1: Software program is just too restrictive
Google has lengthy obtained reward for its feature-rich, “inventory” Android expertise, and deservedly so. Nevertheless, in 2026, software program has develop into a key cause not to purchase a Pixel telephone in case you ask me.
The house display screen epitomises this. For years, Google refused to supply us any significant option 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 yr, the search bar stays a everlasting fixture. It takes up loads of area for one thing I actually by no means use.
…in 2026, software program has develop into a key cause not to purchase a Pixel telephone.
Elsewhere, Android 17 fixes the long-standing challenge of a single fast settings toggle for Wi-Fi and cell information (in the end!), however it got here too late to stop me from switching. Ditto for eradicating app labels, which solely added to the house display screen muddle.
Then there had been the first-party widgets. I’m genuinely baffled that Google may make widgets that appeared this ugly, particularly when Samsung exhibits how straightforward it’s to make them look stunning.
Foundry
Nevertheless, it was an altogether extra mundane characteristic that lastly satisfied me to modify. 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 scale back senseless telephone 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 individuals do what they need!
By operating Android 17 out of the field, the Pixel 11 collection will already be a giant step up within the software program division. However Google may undoubtedly go additional.
For many individuals, the large attraction of Android is its in depth customisation choices, however these skills are weirdly hamstrung on Pixel telephones. I need to have the ability to change the whole lot about the best way my telephone appears and feels, but keep the simplicity of the default consumer interface. Presently, that’s completely unimaginable.
Higher first-party widgets and the choice to take away the house display screen search bar are my prime 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 affords a near-endless array of customisation choices. Presently, the Pixel feels even much less customisable than the iPhone, which is saying one thing.
Foundry
Downside 2: It’s too rattling heavy
At 232g, the Pixel 10 Professional XL is among the heaviest telephones you should purchase. Add within the official Pixelsnap case (which I actually like), and you’re taking a look at over 260g. That’s just too heavy to be snug for a every day driver.
Consequently, the ten Professional XL is nearly unimaginable to make use of one-handed, even for a brief interval of time. And in contrast to many trendy handsets, I can by no means ignore it weighing down my pocket.
When the Galaxy Z Fold 7 affords two screens but stays 17g lighter, Google has gone too far.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Because the weeks progressed, the gadget grew to become much more of a chore to carry, so I relished the chance to modify to one thing lighter. When the Galaxy Z Fold 7 affords two screens but stays 17g lighter, Google has gone too far.
How the Pixel 11 may repair it: Make it thinner and improve the aluminium
After all, the best option to make a telephone lighter is by decreasing its complete footprint. However that is an XL gadget, so the massive 6.8-inch show is de rigeur, whereas the bezel round it is already about as slim as you would anticipate.
As a substitute, 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 area. Consequently, much less aluminium is required within the casing and body, serving to it stay extra light-weight.
Foundry
The precise sort of aluminium additionally performs a job. Samsung makes use of an alloy often called “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 an alternative and was 8.6mm thick. Consequently, it weighed a hefty 232g.
With considered one of its main rivals already providing loads of weight-saving ideas, it needs to be straightforward for Google to make the Pixel 10 Professional XL considerably lighter than its predecessor.
Downside 3: Zoom pictures is underwhelming
On trendy flagships, a minimum of three high-quality rear lenses are anticipated: foremost, 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 affords 5x optical zoom to carry out nicely in close by scenes, however something past 10x may 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 best way as much as a whopping 100x.
Or a minimum of, 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 set to be a good greater a part of the Pixel 11 collection. However these instruments needs to be used to assist nice zoom pictures, somewhat than change it completely.
To attain this, Google must ship a serious 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 collection. 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 arduous to see some other telephone topping our greatest telephones information. And crucially, that optimistic expertise can be more likely to be sustained over time. Come on Google, you are able to do this!