Google Pixel 11 Pro vs Google Pixel 10 Pro: Biggest upgrades to expect

Google's Pixel phones may not be the fastest Android smartphones on the market, but they have an identity that few other brands can match. Between Google's clean design language, the Pixel-exclusive software features, and day-one Android updates, Pixel phones continue to attract a loyal following.

It's now been almost a year since the Pixel 10 series launched, which means it's nearly time for the Pixel 11 to be released. Google has already confirmed that the new phones will debut at its Made by Google event on August 12, so if you're currently using a Pixel 10 Pro, it's probably time to start wondering whether this year's upgrade is worth it.

We won't know exactly how the Pixel 11 Pro vs. Pixel 10 Pro comparison will look like until Google officially announces the new model. But, as is usually the case with Pixel launches, enough leaks and rumors have already surfaced to paint a fairly clear picture of what's coming and whether upgrading this year makes sense.

Pixel 11 Pro vs Pixel 10 Pro: Rumored Specs

Tensor G6 should bring a performance boost

Google made one of the biggest changes to the Pixel lineup last year with the Tensor G5. On paper, it didn't look dramatically different from the Tensor G4, but behind the scenes, Google made a major shift by moving chip production from Samsung Foundry to TSMC.

The Tensor G5 was built on TSMC's 3nm (N3P) process, the same manufacturing technology used by chips like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Apple's A19 Pro. In theory, that should have translated into much better efficiency and thermals. While there were subtle improvements, the performance gains weren't quite as dramatic as many had expected.

This year, Google is expected to take another big leap. According to recent leaks, the Pixel 11 Pro will be powered by the Tensor G6, which is reportedly built on TSMC's more advanced 2nm process. If true, it should bring another meaningful performance jump, while also helping address one of the biggest complaints surrounding recent Pixel phones: heat management.

In terms of configuration, the Tensor G6 is rumored to move to a new seven-core CPU with a 1+4+2 architecture, featuring one ARM C1-Ultra core clocked at 4.11GHz, four ARM C1-Pro cores at 3.38GHz, and two C1-Pro cores at 2.65GHz.

Major GPU upgrades aren't expected this year, but the new CPU and upgraded NPU should still deliver a noticeable boost in overall performance compared to the Tensor G5 on Pixel 10 Pro.

MediaTek modem could finally fix connectivity

Alongside the Tensor G6, Google is also expected to make another major hardware change by finally replacing Samsung's modem with a MediaTek modem.

According to recent leaks, the Pixel 11 Pro will use MediaTek's M90 modem, which should help address the cellular connectivity and signal issues that have plagued Pixel phones for the past few generations.

The MediaTek M90 is rated for download speeds of up to 12Gbps and also promises up to an 18% improvement in power efficiency thanks to AI-powered optimizations.

Since the cellular modem is one of the biggest battery drains on any smartphone, a more efficient modem could noticeably improve battery life, especially as the Pixel 11 series is rumored to feature a slightly smaller battery this year.

256GB will become the new base storage option

Another upgrade (or rather a forced upgrade) is expected to come to the Pixel 11 Pro's base storage. According to recent leaks, Google is dropping the 128GB model entirely. Instead, the Pixel 11 Pro is expected to start with 256GB of storage, giving buyers more space out of the box.

That's certainly good news if you've been running out of storage on previous Pixel phones. The catch, though, is that Google is reportedly reducing the RAM on the base model. While the Pixel 10 Pro came with 16GB of RAM across the lineup, the entry-level Pixel 11 Pro is expected to pair its 256GB of storage with just 12GB of RAM.

Pricing is also expected to increase. The Pixel 11 Pro is rumored to start at $1,099. That said, if you compare it to the 256GB Pixel 10 Pro, the price is expected to be roughly the same. The trade-off is that you'll be getting more storage by default, but less RAM than before.

A new kind of notification LED could be coming

It wouldn't be a Pixel launch without Google introducing a fun little hardware feature, and this year, that appears to be a new glowing LED on the back of the phone.

Google has been gradually adopting this glowing light design across its products. We've already seen it on the new Google Home Speaker and during the brief Googlebook showcase earlier this year, and according to recent leaks, it's now making its way to the Pixel 11 Pro as well.

The new light, reportedly called HiLight, is expected to replace the thermometer sensor on the back of the phone. Google has even teased the circular LED in a few promotional materials already.

According to leaks, it will light up when you're talking to Gemini, and users will also be able to assign different lighting effects to specific contacts and notifications.

120x zoom

One camera upgrade expected on the Pixel 11 Pro is improved zoom. Google introduced Pro Res Zoom with the Pixel 10 Pro, allowing users to zoom in up to 100x using a combination of its telephoto camera and AI. This year, the company is reportedly taking things a step further with support for up to 120x zoom.

The leak comes from Evan Blass, who shared what appears to be official Pixel 11 Pro marketing material ahead of next week's Made by Google event. That makes this particular leak seem fairly credible.

That said, I don't think this will be the only camera upgrade Google announces. The company usually spends a good chunk of its launch event talking about new camera features, so I'd be surprised if 120x zoom ends up being the headline change.

There's likely a lot more coming to the Pixel 11 Pro's camera system than what we've seen in the leaks so far.

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