Google Pixel 11 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro: No reason to upgrade just yet
Small but mighty
The Pixel 11 Pro brings the same features as the 11 Pro XL in a smaller size, and it's great to hold and use. You get the best of Google's software, along with new cameras, and Qi 2.2 integration.
Still great
The Pixel 9 Pro is still a great choice in 2026. The design looks just as good as the Pixel 11 Pro, the fundamentals are unchanged, and you get standout software.
Google Pixel 11 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Design and display
It wasn't until I dug out the Pixel 9 Pro that I realized just how little has changed with Google's phones in the last two years. The Pixel 9 Pro has nearly identical dimensions to the Pixel 11 Pro, and while the latter is 5g heavier, that isn't immediately noticeable.
In fact, other than the new design around the camera bar, there isn't an easy way to distinguish both phones - they're that similar. This is a good thing, as it solidifies Google's visual identity and ensures models are consistent between generations.
To give you a little bit of contrast, there aren't any design similarities between last year's Find X8 Ultra and the 2026 Find X9 Ultra; they could be made by different brands. While a constantly-changing design is interesting in its own way - I have no idea what the Find X10 will look like - that isn't an issue with Pixels; Google clearly has its design language dialed in, and it isn't going to change that anytime soon.
Anyway, the Pixel 11 Pro is a standout small flagship, and the Pixel 9 Pro is the same. I like the smaller design, and while I inevitably gravitate to larger phones, there's no denying that there's an audience that wants a smaller device with high-end internals, and other than the 6.3-inch panel size and smaller battery, the Pro devices are unchanged from their Pro XL siblings.
The 6.3-inch OLED panel is great in its own right; both phones have good color vibrancy and class-leading brightness figures. The only difference is that the 11 Pro gets brighter in outdoor use, but other than that, they're identical. Also, both devices get IP68 dust and water resistance, and they're built to last.
Google Pixel 11 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Hardware and cameras
The Tensor G6 powering the Pixel 11 Pro is faster and does a better job overall, but it's still not set up for any intensive gaming, and at this point, it's clear that it just isn't a priority for Google. That said, it is reliable in everyday use, and the device itself has good fluidity. The same is true on the Pixel 9 Pro as well, and I still don't see any issues with the device in regular tasks.
Similarly, battery life is about the same, but the 11 Pro gets Qi 2.2 integration, going up to 25W - the 9 Pro is limited to standard 12W Qi charging. Connectivity is the same on both devices, and while the 11 Pro is using a new modem, I don't see much of a difference in daily use.
Category | Google Pixel 11 Pro | Google Pixel 9 Pro |
Operating System | Android 17, seven years of software updates | Android 17, seven years of software updates (five left) |
Display | 6.3-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED, 2856x1280, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, HDR10+, 3600 nits max | 6.3-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED, 2856x1280, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, HDR10+, 3000 nits max |
Chipset | Google Tensor G6, 3nm TSMC | Google Tensor G4, 4nm Samsung |
RAM | 12GB/16GB | 16GB |
Storage | 256GB/512GB/1TB UFS 4.0 | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB UFS 3.1 |
Rear cameras | Main: New 50MP f/1.7, OIS Tele: 48MP f/2.8, OIS, 5x zoom Wide: 48MP f/1.7 wide-angle | Main: 50MP f/1.7, OIS Tele: 48MP f/2.8, OIS, 5x zoom Wide: 48MP f/1.7 wide-angle |
Front camera | 42MP, f/2.2 | 42MP, f/2.2 |
Battery | 4850mAh | 4700mAh |
Charging | 30W wired, USB PD 3.0 PPS 25W Qi 2.2 Pixelsnap wireless | 27W wired, USB PD 3.0 PPS 12W Qi wireless |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, NFC, Dual-band GPS, 5G mmWave (NA only), 5G Sub-6 (global), LTE | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Dual-band GPS, 5G mmWave (NA only), 5G Sub-6 (global), LTE |
Ingress protection | IP68 dust and water resistance | IP68 dust and water resistance |
Dimensions | 152.7 x 71.9 x 8.4mm | 152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm |
Weight | 204g | 199g |
Colors | Canyon, Fog, Olive, Obsidian | Porcelain, Hazel, Rose Quartz, Obsidian |
The Pixel 11 Pro has a new camera, and it takes slightly better photos and videos. But like previous years, the best features are software-related: Camera Looks lets you change the tonality of the photos to a significant degree, and I like the feature quite a bit. There's also Magic Capture, which automatically takes the best photo while shooting a video, and it makes a lot of sense if you have kids that are constantly moving.
Google Pixel 11 Pro vs. Pixel 9 Pro: Which should you buy?
There is a lot to like in the Pixel 11 Pro, and the new software features go a long way in differentiating the phone. That said, Google is likely to bring most of these to older Pixels - including the Pixel 9 Pro - so you're not really missing out on much there.
Other than that, I don't see many differences to the Pixel 9 Pro. It's still a fabulous phone two years after its launch, and if you're using the device, there's no reason to get the Pixel 11 Pro.
Small but mighty
The Pixel 11 Pro is Google's latest phone, and while it has a new camera and software tricks, it doesn't do enough to justify an upgrade - not when the Pixel 9 Pro is still going strong.
Still great
I like the Pixel 9 Pro a lot, and considering the phone was built to last the better part of a decade, there's no reason to upgrade just yet. It's getting regular software updates, the hardware is still great, and the cameras hold their own in 2026.