The Pixel 11 is the smallest and cheapest Google phone of 2026, but it is no longer a bargain: €999 (about 655,000 FCFA) with 256 GB, which is €100 more than its predecessor. On sale since 20 August 2026, it brings the Tensor G6 chip built on a 2 nm process, a MediaTek modem, a larger main sensor and faster wireless charging. Published reviews describe a pleasant device that takes very good photos and gets seven years of support, but whose power and stamina lag behind. It suits anyone after a compact, straightforward Android phone, provided they buy it on sale.
Introduction: the Pixel 11, a small Google phone that got expensive
Google unveiled its new range on 12 August 2026: four models, from the Pixel 11 to the Pixel 11 Pro Fold at €1,999 (about 1,311,000 FCFA). The Pixel 11 is the entry point. It keeps the 6.3-inch screen and the outline of the Pixel 10, sheds 7 grams and gains a noticeably slimmer camera bar. We covered the announcement in detail in our earlier article on the Pixel 11 and the Tensor G6.
The sore point is the price. The Pixel 10 started at €899 with 128 GB. Its successor drops that capacity and starts at 256 GB, for €999. Like for like on storage, then, the price has not moved, but the cost of entry has gone up. Google is not alone: the memory shortage has been weighing on the whole industry since the start of the year.
Who is it for? People who want a compact phone, a clean interface, good photos with no fiddling and updates until 2033. Not gamers. This page is not based on hands-on time by our newsroom: it cross-checks Google’s own data, reviews published by the press and measurements from independent labs.
Verdict at a glance: a good phone, overpriced at its official tag
Verdict in 30 seconds
Compact, well built and very comfortable with photography, the Pixel 11 benefits from seven years of support and AI that is useful day to day. Its chip trails the competition and its battery life is stuck, which makes the €999 price hard to defend.
For whom Anyone who wants a compact, simple Android phone that is good at photos and supported until 2033
Avoid if You play a lot of games, you already own a Pixel 10 or you want two days of battery life
We like
- Reliable photos by day and by night, real 5x optical zoom
- Seven years of Android and security updates
- 256 GB from the base model, 25 W magnetic wireless charging
- Very bright screen and a size that is easy to hold
We like less
- Tensor G6 clearly slower than rival chips
- Average battery life and wired charging capped at 30 W
- A €100 increase for modest progress
The score of 7.8 out of 10 sums up the published reviews: 8.3 out of 10 at 91mobiles, 3.8 out of 5 at Pickr, and an average of 81% recorded by Notebookcheck across some fifty ratings. The Pixel 11 is good; its launch price is less so.
Pixel 11 specs
| Écran | OLED 6,3 pouces, 2 424 × 1 080, 60-120 Hz, 3 000 nits en pic |
|---|---|
| Processeur | Google Tensor G6 (7 cœurs) + Titan M3 |
| Mémoire vive | 12 Go |
| Stockage | 256 Go ou 512 Go (UFS 4.0) |
| Appareil photo arrière | 48 Mpx f/1,7 + ultra grand-angle 13 Mpx + téléobjectif 10,8 Mpx (zoom 5x) |
| Caméra frontale | 10,5 Mpx |
| Batterie | 4 985 mAh |
| Recharge | 30 W filaire, 25 W sans fil Qi2 (aimants intégrés) |
| Dimensions | 152,4 × 71,1 × 7,6 mm |
| Poids | Environ 196 g |
| Étanchéité | IP68 |
| Connectivité | 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C |
| Système et suivi | Android 17, 7 ans de mises à jour |
| Launch price | 999 € |
Three figures matter in these Pixel 11 specs. First, the 256 GB of base storage, which doubles last year’s capacity and uses UFS 4.0 memory according to L’Éclaireur Fnac. Next, the 1/1.56-inch main sensor, which Google says is 56% more sensitive to light. Finally, 25 W wireless charging, up from 15 W on the Pixel 10.
Design of the Pixel 11: same footprint, slimmer camera bar
From the front, nothing sets the Pixel 11 apart from its predecessor. The dimensions are identical: 152.8 × 72 × 8.6 mm. Weight drops from 204 to 197 grams. The frame is still aluminium, both faces are Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and the IP68 rating covers dust and immersion in fresh water.
The difference shows on the back. Google says the camera bar is 40% thinner. The phone rocks less on a table, which Pickr and L’Éclaireur Fnac both confirm. 91mobiles does point out, however, that the edge of that bar chips easily: a case is not a luxury.
Colours and finishes
Four colours are sold in France: Frost, Pistachio, Fuchsia and Volcanic Black. Google states at least 33% recycled materials. The Pixelsnap magnets take Qi2 accessories. HiLight, the notification light found on the Pro models, is missing.
Display: a very bright 6.3-inch Actua panel, without LTPO
The screen is a 6.3-inch Actua OLED panel at 1,080 × 2,424 pixels, or 422 pixels per inch. It switches between 60 and 120 Hz. Google quotes 3,000 nits at peak and 2,000 nits in HDR. Tom’s Guide measured 2,480 nits, against 2,333 nits on the Pixel 10: enough to read a map in full sun in Douala as in Marseille.
The downside comes in four letters: LTPO. This technology, reserved for the Pixel 11 Pro models, lets the display drop to 1 Hz to save battery. Here, the panel only knows two steps. The always-on display therefore uses a little more power.
Reviewers praise accurate colours. 91mobiles only notes that automatic brightness sometimes sits a notch too low. The ultrasonic fingerprint reader is judged accurate, though not the fastest.
Performance: the Tensor G6 improves without catching the competition
A Tensor G6 chip built on 2 nm by TSMC
The Tensor G6 is the first Google chip manufactured on a 2 nm process by TSMC. It has seven cores: one C1-Ultra at 4.11 GHz, four C1-Pro at 3.38 GHz and two more at 2.65 GHz. Google promises web browsing that is 25% faster, apps that open 15% quicker and up to 20% better energy efficiency. Add to that 12 GB of memory and the Titan M3 security chip.
Published measurements temper the announcement. Tom’s Guide records 2,664 points in single-core and 7,347 points in multi-core on Geekbench, against 2,345 and 6,581 for the Pixel 10. The Galaxy S26 reaches 3,531 and 10,778 points on the same test. 91mobiles gets 1,690,573 points on AnTuTu, a long way from the best.
Gaming and heat: the acknowledged weak spot
Graphics are the weak link. The Tensor G6 carries a PowerVR graphics processor whose design dates back to 2021, according to Beebom. On 3DMark Wild Life, Tom’s Guide measures 84 frames per second, against 171 for the Galaxy S26. Everyday games run well; the heaviest ones require lowering the settings.
MobileSyrup observes, on the other hand, that the Pixel 11 runs cooler than the previous generation. In daily use, every reviewer describes a smooth interface. That leaves the long term: this limited headroom will make itself felt before software support ends.
MediaTek modem and connectivity
Google is dropping Samsung’s Exynos modem, often criticised for its power draw and heat, in favour of MediaTek’s M90. Published reviews do not yet put a number on the gain in reception.
Alongside it come Sub-6 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6, NFC, one nano-SIM and one eSIM. Wi-Fi 7 is absent from the official spec sheet, which is surprising at this price.
Camera: three dependable sensors and a 5x zoom that is rare at this size
Photography remains the first reason to buy a Google phone. The Pixel 11 keeps three real cameras on the back, including a telephoto: in a compact body, that is uncommon.
48 MP main sensor: more light at night
The main sensor offers 48 MP, an f/1.7 aperture and a 1/1.56-inch size, with optical stabilisation. Google claims 56% more sensitivity. Pickr confirms a larger sensor and a slight improvement in low light. Tom’s Guide finds the shots almost identical to those of the Pixel 10 by day, and a little cleaner and less noisy at night.
DXOMARK gives it 154 points, which is 23rd place in its ranking as of 21 August 2026. The lab praises accurate exposure, wide dynamic range and fast focusing. It notes noise in low light and some hesitation in backlit scenes. 91mobiles finds portraits less cleanly cut out than on an iPhone 17.
Ultra-wide and 5x telephoto
The 13 MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120°) and the 10.8 MP telephoto (f/3.1, 5x optical zoom, stabilised) rely on small 1/3.1 and 1/3.2-inch sensors. Digital zoom goes up to 30x, against 120x on the Pro models. Phototrend considers the telephoto rather dim. By day it is genuinely useful; at night, much less so.
DXOMARK scores the zoom at 137 points and the ultra-wide at 146, far from the 173 and 175 points of the best. The Pixel 11 Pro keeps the big sensors for itself.
Video, selfies and new tools
Video tops out at 4K at 60 frames per second, with slow motion up to 240 frames per second. DXOMARK gives it 142 points, where the iPhone 18 Pro gets 176. The 10.5 MP front camera covers a 95° field of view, handy for group selfies.
The new features are mostly software:
- Magic Capture analyses several hundred frames from a short sequence and pulls out the best photo, at 12 MP.
- Camera Looks offers nine film-style renderings that can be applied as the shot is taken.
- The Creator suite adds an on-screen teleprompter, framing grids for social networks and a storyboard tool.
Battery life and charging: one day, no more
The 4,985 mAh battery of the Pixel 11 gains 15 mAh, which is to say nothing. Google promises more than 30 hours of use. Tom’s Guide measures 12 hours 45 minutes in its browsing test, against 13 hours 13 minutes for the Pixel 10. 91mobiles gets 18.7 hours on PCMark, from 100 to 20%, and describes a little over a day with about five hours of screen time.
MobileSyrup is harsher: from 7am to 11pm in ordinary use, and a top-up needed by mid-afternoon when tethering is running. Next to the 7,000 mAh batteries of Chinese models, the gap becomes awkward.
30 W wired charging, 25 W wireless
Wired charging stays at 30 W. Google quotes 55% in 30 minutes. Tom’s Guide measures 52%, and 91mobiles counts 90 minutes to go from 20 to 100%. The Pixel 11 Pro stays at 30 W, and only the Pro XL climbs to 45 W. No charger is supplied in the box, only a USB-C cable.
The progress comes from wireless. Pixelsnap charging goes from 15 to 25 W on the Qi2 standard, with magnetic alignment. You still have to buy a compatible stand.
Good to know — In cities where the power cuts out often, a phone that lasts a day and takes an hour and a half to recharge means planning for a power bank. Pick a 30 W Power Delivery model.
Software: Android 17, Gemini and seven years of updates
The Pixel 11 ships with Android 17 in its Google version, with no skin and no duplicate apps. Google promises seven years of system and security updates, which takes it to August 2033. Samsung makes the same promise on its Galaxy S phones. This is its strongest argument.
Gemini Nano and the AI features of the Pixel 11 in France
The new AI processor in the Tensor G6 delivers 50% more computing power, according to Google, to run Gemini Nano on the device. Several features benefit:
- Rambler, a dictation tool that strips out hesitations and repetitions, optimised for French according to Ariase;
- proactive help, which suggests actions in around forty apps;
- Live Translate, which dubs the voice of a video in real time;
- Circle to Search, now usable with the camera.
A word of caution, though. Ariase points out that support for a language does not guarantee that a feature is available in a given country: Google makes it depend on the language, the country, the model and a gradual rollout. If one specific feature is the reason for your purchase, check that it is active in your country.
Pixel 11 or Pixel 10: what really changes
From one generation to the next, five things change:
- the chip, with a gain of about 12% in processing on Geekbench and less heat;
- the modem, now made by MediaTek;
- the main sensor, which is larger;
- base storage, which goes from 128 to 256 GB;
- wireless charging, from 15 to 25 W, and the slimmer camera bar.
The screen, the battery, the secondary sensors and the length of support are the same. Yet the Pixel 10 was going for around €649 (about 426,000 FCFA) with 128 GB at the end of August, according to Ariase and LesMobiles. With a €350 gap, it remains the better buy for anyone happy with 128 GB. If you already own one, sit this round out.
Pixel 11 price and availability: France, Europe, West and Central Africa
Official prices and street prices in October 2026
In France, the Google Pixel 11 sells for €999 (about 655,000 FCFA) with 256 GB and €1,129 (about 741,000 FCFA) with 512 GB. The details are on the official Google Store page for France.
The street price is already lower. In early October, the Google Store listed it at €899 (about 590,000 FCFA). Presse-citron recorded €899 at Fnac, Darty and Boulanger, and around €848 (about 556,000 FCFA) on Amazon. These amounts shift from one week to the next: wait for Black Friday if there is no rush.
Where to buy the Pixel 11 at the best price
Smartphone 5G de Google, écran 6,3 pouces, puce Tensor G6, 256 Go.
- AmazonSee at Amazon
- CdiscountSee at Cdiscount
- FnacSee at Fnac
- DartySee at Darty
Some links on this page are affiliate links: Wanda-techs may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our opinion.
West and Central Africa: an import-only phone
Google does not officially distribute its phones in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire or Senegal. The Pixel 11 gets there through imports: specialist resellers or a purchase in France by a relative. Budget for the French price, plus shipping, customs and the reseller’s margin. We found no reliable local price in FCFA.
Three points to check. Google’s warranty only applies in countries where the brand sells its products. The phone takes a single nano-SIM, and the second line goes through an eSIM, which not every operator in the region offers. Finally, 5G and some of the Gemini tools depend on the country and the operator.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Consistent photo quality, with a real 5x optical zoom and a convincing night mode.
- Seven years of Android updates and security patches.
- 256 GB of storage from the base model, 12 GB of memory.
- Compact 197-gram body, IP68, slimmer camera bar.
- 25 W magnetic wireless charging and Qi2 accessories.
Weaknesses
- Tensor G6 off the pace, especially in games, against the Galaxy S26 and Snapdragon chips.
- One-day battery life, with no measured progress over the Pixel 10.
- 30 W wired charging and no charger in the box.
- Screen without LTPO, no Wi-Fi 7.
- Official price up by €100, no distribution in West and Central Africa.
These scores are based on the reviews and measurements cited on this page, not on a trial by our newsroom.
Alternatives to the Pixel 11
Xiaomi 18 Pro
The Galaxy S26 is the natural opponent of the Pixel 11: same size, same seven-year promise, a much faster chip. Less well known, the Xiaomi 18 Pro fits a 7,000 mAh battery and a 200 MP periscope into a 6.4-inch body; launched in China on 23 September at 5,999 yuan, or roughly €750 (about 492,000 FCFA), it is still waiting for its global release. The Nothing Phone (4a) Pro, at €499 (about 327,000 FCFA), costs half as much, with shorter software support.
Pixel 11 or Pixel 11 Pro: which one to choose?
The Pro, sold from €1,199 (about 786,000 FCFA), keeps the 6.3-inch diagonal and adds an LTPO screen and a zoom of up to 120x, with charging still at 30 W. If you often shoot at night or at long zoom, the €200 gap is justified, as our article on the Pixel 11 Pro’s arrival in France shows. For ordinary use, the Pixel 11 is enough.
Conclusion: should you buy the Pixel 11?
Yes, but not at any price. At €999, the Pixel 11 faces more powerful rivals and its own predecessor, sold for €350 less. At around €850 to €900, the sums change: you get a compact device, 256 GB, a 5x optical zoom, a no-frills interface and seven years of peace of mind.
Our view of the Pixel 11 therefore fits in one sentence: a very good everyday phone whose spec sheet does not justify the price rise. Owners of a Pixel 7 or 8 will gain from it; those with a Pixel 9 or 10 can wait.
Good to know — Pixel prices fall fast and hard. The Pixel 10 lost €250 in a year, and the Pixel 11 had already lost €100 on the Google Store six weeks after its release.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pixel 11 price in France?
The Pixel 11 price is set at €999 (about 655,000 FCFA) with 256 GB and €1,129 (about 741,000 FCFA) with 512 GB. There is no longer a 128 GB version. In early October 2026, the Google Store was already offering it at €899, and Presse-citron recorded about €848 on Amazon. The entry price climbs by €100 in a year, but it is identical to that of the Pixel 10 with 256 GB.
Should you choose the Pixel 11 or the Pixel 10?
The Pixel 10 keeps the same screen, the same battery, the same 5x telephoto and the same seven years of support. The new model brings the Tensor G6, a MediaTek modem, a larger main sensor, 256 GB as standard and 25 W wireless charging. If you find the older phone at around €649 and 128 GB is enough for you, it remains the best value for money. The Pixel 11 makes sense for the storage, or on sale.
Is the Google Pixel 11 waterproof?
Yes. It is IP68 rated: it resists dust and immersion in fresh water. That rating covers neither sea water nor chlorinated water. The screen and the back are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, but 91mobiles reports that the edge of the camera bar marks quickly. A case is still advisable.
How long will the Pixel 11 receive updates?
Google promises seven years of Android updates and security patches from release, so until August 2033. The phone ships with Android 17 and will also receive Pixel Drops, the batches of new features published every quarter. It remains to be seen whether the Tensor G6, already behind today, will run the 2031 or 2032 versions properly.
Can you buy the Pixel 11 in Cameroon or Côte d’Ivoire?
Not through an official channel. Google does not sell its phones in West and Central Africa: you have to go through an importer or buy abroad, with no local warranty. The phone works on 4G networks with a nano-SIM, and the second line requires an eSIM. Check with the seller where the unit comes from and which bands it supports.
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