5 Android telephones you can purchase as a substitute of the Pixel 11 Professional XL

The Pixel 11 Professional XL’s reveal introduced with it extra questions than solutions. Google’s new flagship is a blended bag, with some wanted enhancements but additionally an unlucky downgrade. It’s a telephone that’s more durable to justify this yr, as Google has raised costs, which can give some patrons the impression they’re paying extra for much less.

It’s not a simple resolution, even for hardcore Pixel followers. Smartphones have gotten costlier throughout the board, however Google is now on the identical taking part in area as everybody else, and patrons will demand outcomes. In case you’re on the fence about shopping for a brand new Pixel 11 Professional XL, listed below are 5 Android options that may win you over as a substitute.

The bottom Pixel 11 Professional XL now begins at $1,300, putting it squarely in opposition to the Galaxy S26 Extremely. Samsung isn’t even at a RAM drawback this yr, as Google’s entry Pixel 11 Professional XL variant comes with solely 12GB of RAM — a downgrade from final yr. I’m positive Google will spotlight extra environment friendly Gemini Nano fashions which might be designed to run on 12GB, however the actuality is that the telephone comes with much less.

It’s not an ideal telephone, however there are fewer query marks concerning the Galaxy S26 Extremely. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 delivers excellent efficiency and gives every thing you need from a flagship chipset, whereas the Tensor G6 stays an unknown. Gaming is a wonderful expertise on the Galaxy S26 Extremely, and also you’ll get pleasure from a clean expertise for years to come back. Whereas Samsung is gradual to replace its different fashions, the Galaxy S26 Extremely does have a incredible digital camera system, headlined by a 200MP main sensor. It’s private choice, however Pixel cameras don’t dominate {the marketplace} like they used to.

The battery life is strong on the S26 Extremely, and it’s not such as you’re getting a silicon-carbon cell on the Pixel, which can have given Google’s machine a bonus. One UI 8.5 is a superb person expertise on the S26 Extremely, and I’ve been having fun with One UI 9 on my Galaxy Z Fold 8, so I count on the same expertise on Samsung’s different telephones. I should still give the nod to Materials 3 Expressive design on the Pixel 11 Professional XL, however Google’s person expertise benefits received’t all the time be sufficient to offset different shortcomings. In case you’re in search of a flagship different, the Galaxy S26 Extremely must be your first cease.

Not everybody who buys a Pixel essentially wants top-of-the-line efficiency, and you could be within the temper for one thing totally different. That’s exactly what Motorola gives with the Razr Extremely (2026). It’s costly, with a beginning worth of $1,500. Nevertheless, you get 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and varied gross sales and provider reductions, so you may all the time choose one up for much less.

In case you’ve solely ever used conventional smartphones, the Razr Extremely is a breath of recent air. Its 4-inch cowl display screen is excellent for fast Instagram scrolls and checking messages, and it unfolds to disclose a beautiful 7-inch inside show, offering the expertise you’re at the moment used to. It’s glossy and compact, and I really like that Motorola experiments with totally different textures and colours.

Not like the Pixel 11 Professional XL, the Razr Extremely has a full silicon-carbon battery, and it’s held up effectively in testing. I can simply get two days on a single cost with blended use. It does function final yr’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, however I by no means felt brief on energy. You additionally received’t get practically the software program help and options you do with the Pixel 11 Professional XL, but when that isn’t a promoting level for you, the Razr Extremely is value a glance.

In case you’re coming from an older Pixel 6 or 7, you will not be excited on the prospect of shelling out $1,300, even in the event you purchase by way of a provider with a month-to-month fee. In case you love the Pixel expertise, however not the worth tag, the Pixel 10a is a good different. For $500 (for now), you get most of the similar perks of Pixel possession.

You’ll nonetheless get pleasure from over six years of software program help, with the identical Materials 3 Expressive design expertise. Android 17 runs effectively on my Pixel 10a, and I get phenomenal battery life from its 5,100mAh cell. It might not function a Tremendous Actua show, however the 6.3-inch Actua panel on the Pixel 10a is shiny and vibrant. The telephone might have the identical Tensor G4 chipset because the Pixel 9a, however the modem has been upgraded, addressing a main criticism for a lot of customers.

Sure, the cameras aren’t as versatile as what you’ll discover on the Pixel 11 Professional XL, however you’re paying a fraction of the worth. You sacrifice the telephoto lens, however the Pixel 10a nonetheless gives sharp, detailed low-light pictures because of Evening Sight. In case you by no means discovered your self pushing your telephone to the restrict, the Pixel 10a is a good way to avoid wasting money.

The Nothing Telephone 3 is a little bit of a wildcard, however it’s onerous to disregard with its $600 price ticket. The compromises are clearly there in comparison with the Pixel 11 Professional XL, however the telephone isn’t a slouch. It incorporates a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset paired with 16GB of RAM, delivering clean efficiency. Nothing additionally features a 5,150mAh battery and 65W charging, that means you may high off in a rush.

I get pleasure from what Nothing does with its software program. NothingOS is clear, and the Telephone 3 will get 5 years of upgrades and 7 years of safety updates — that means you received’t be left behind anytime quickly. The telephone’s cameras are succesful, however I absolutely count on the Pixel 11 Professional XL to come back out forward — which will matter much less to you whenever you’re parting with 700 fewer of your hard-earned {dollars}.

As soon as once more, it feels just like the Pixel 11 Professional XL’s stiffest competitors will come from Google’s personal lineup. The Pixel 10 Professional XL remains to be a superb telephone, with six years of software program help left, strong battery life, and snappy efficiency from the Tensor G5. I haven’t had most of the issues that plagued earlier Pixels. You received’t get HiLight or different upgraded options, however that issues much less to me once I’m paying a a lot lower cost.

The Pixel 10 Professional XL incorporates a premium construct and a very good digital camera system, with a 50MP main sensor, 48MP ultrawide, and 48MP 5x telephoto. They will not be the brand new, bigger sensors Google is packing into the Pixel 11 Professional XL, however I benefit from the images I get from my Pixel 10 Professional XL, and I’m assured Google’s computational images will maintain my pictures wanting sharp for years.

Pre-owned Pixel 10 Professional XL’s are at the moment promoting for round $875, however I count on that worth to drop because the Pixel 11 Professional XL begins to roll out. In case you store round, I’m assured you’ll find a deal that saves you lots of.

Whereas I recognize what Google’s carried out with its Pixel gadgets over the previous couple of years, paying up for a Pixel 11 Professional XL is a distinct dialog. I’m not saying the telephone isn’t value it, however it’s positively a good suggestion to look into different choices and make your best option to your wants.