Google Pixel 11 Pro Review: Rambler Voice Typing Stuns, but Gaming and Battery Disappoint
Google's Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL, priced at $1,099 and $1,299, offer incremental upgrades over their predecessors. The standout new feature is Rambler, an AI voice-to-text tool in Gboard that removes fillers, corrects restatements, and even translates—impressively handling Malayalam. However, gaming performance on the Tensor G6 chip is weak, with Genshin Impact rendering a purple screen (Google and HoYoverse are working on a fix). Camera improvements include a 50MP main sensor, 48MP telephoto, and 120X zoom, while Instant Night Sight and improved Portrait mode shine. Battery life disappoints at about four hours of screen-on time. HiLight LED notifications are limited to five colors, and proactive Gemini assistance only works in Messages.
Key facts
- Rambler, an AI-powered voice-to-text feature exclusive to the Pixel 11 series, removes vocal fillers and can restate sentences.
- Rambler accurately romanized spoken Malayalam into English and translated it into Malayalam.
- HiLight, exclusive to Pro models, supports only five colors, limiting its usefulness for more than five contacts.
- Pixel 11 Pro costs $1,099 and Pixel 11 Pro XL costs $1,299.
- Gaming performance on the Tensor G6 chip is subpar; Genshin Impact caused a purple screen, with Google and HoYoverse working on a fix.
- Camera system features a new 50-megapixel main sensor and a 48MP telephoto with 30% better light sensitivity.
- The 120X Pro Res Zoom uses AI-generated pixels beyond 30X magnification.
- Battery life averaged four hours of screen-on time before hitting 20% on both Pro models.
- Camera Looks, Creator Suite with teleprompter, and Magic Capture are new software features.
- Google has not confirmed whether Rambler will come to older Pixel devices.
Entities
Artists
- Julian Chokkattu
Institutions
- WIRED
- HoYoverse
- Apple
- Samsung
Locations
- Brooklyn
- New York City
- United States
- World Trade Center