If you pick up the new Pixel 11 Pro, you might find yourself telling people you’ve got the latest model—unless they’re tracking every launch. The reason? It doesn’t look dramatically different from its predecessor. The most notable aesthetic updates are the new color options, which are admittedly stunning, and a small glowing light on the back, though its functionality is somewhat limited.
Under the hood, the phone debuts some fresh Gemini features, but it’s debatable whether AI capabilities are truly driving new phone purchases in 2026. In everyday use, the most noticeable improvements are the snappier cameras and expanded customization options for photo styling. Beyond that, the Pixel 11 Pro XL feels like the previous generation got a substantial Pixel Drop update rather than a full-fledged hardware refresh.
I’ve been using the Obsidian Pixel 11 Pro XL for nearly a week, and despite the iterative updates, the phone remains solid and enjoyable to use.
Rambler
One of my favorite new features on the Pixel 11 Pro XL is Rambler—an AI-powered dictation tool that strips out filler words like “um” and “ah,” then formats your speech cleanly. This feature directly challenges established dictation apps like Wispr and Willow.
[Image: A photo of Google's dictation tool called Rambler — Image Credits: Ivan Mehta]
The tool also handles language switching and noisy environments impressively well. While it may eventually roll out to other devices, if you’re on a Pixel, this is a genuinely useful feature you could rely on daily—far more so than some of the other AI enhancements.
Over the past year, I’ve leaned on dictation tools for quick notes, email replies, and messaging across devices. In my testing, Google’s Rambler matches the best industry tools on accuracy and speed. (It’s so effective that I essentially dictated this entire section without needing edits!)
Gemini updates
I’ve only had the phone for five days, so the Proactive Suggesti...
via TechCrunch